Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 118: Chapter 118

Alex raised his hand and touched my forehead, a hint of sulkiness flashing in his eyes. "In the future, you don't need to pretend to be weak in front of me. You don't need to prove anything by hurting yourself—it's your body."
I stared at Alex in front of me, a twinge of shock tightening my chest. At the same time, a warmth spread through me—a warmth I hadn't felt in a long time, and it was coming from a stranger.
Alex motioned for me to return my electric bike to its rightful place.
Then I sat quietly in the car.
Instead of heading straight home or going to the mall, we drove to the nearest hotel.
"Come down once you've changed." Alex handed me a room key, along with a set of clothes.
The clothes had come from his car.
Seeing my hesitant expression, he looked serious. "I prepared those clothes for you. No one else's."
I smiled. "I have a bit of a cleanliness obsession."
The corner of Alex's lips curved into a smile. "It seems like you and Angela have a really good relationship."
"Of course." I grinned, taking the clothes and heading toward the elevator.
It was uncomfortable being wet.
After taking a shower and changing into the new clothes, I hurried downstairs.
After all, Alex had said he was an impatient person, and I didn't want to annoy him.
Just as I stepped into the elevator, my phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.
I hesitated, but answered anyway.
"Laurel." A man's low, hoarse voice came from the other end.
I heard that voice, and a cold smile appeared in my eyes.
"Austin, are you trying to ghost me? Aren't you afraid I'll tell your uncle?" I said.
I knew the Herrera family had always been somewhat wary of Alex.
One of the reasons was that he was eccentric and didn't get along well with most people.
But anyone who offended him usually didn't end well. Most importantly, Alex had no sympathy for others, especially for those around him.
"For the sake of the six years we spent together, Laurel, I just want to give you a warning—otherwise, you might lose your life without even realizing it," he said.
I rubbed my brow. I'd once heard the same words from Isaac.
My heart tightened, but I kept my tone casual. "What, trying to threaten me? Once my identity gets out, I don't think anyone will turn against me. After all, I'm Alex's woman."
Austin chuckled softly from the other side of the line. "Laurel, do you really think my uncle brought you home to marry you? Maybe he just wants to send you to your death."
My heart skipped a beat, then I sneered.
"Laurel, my grandpa and grandma would never approve of you coming into the family. Have you thought about the consequences?" Austin said.
"So, do I need to thank you for the heads-up?" I said.
"Samantha and my uncle's marriage is already set. The only reason he wants to marry you is because he doesn't like being manipulated. What are you comparing yourself to Samantha? Even if you were married, my uncle would divorce you in less than six months," Austin said.
Hearing Austin's mocking tone, I hastily interrupted. "Are you suggesting I take Samantha's money and leave? Don't bother. I'm sure I'll marry your uncle. The next time we meet, you should call me Auntie instead of my name Laurel, okay? Please watch your language."
I then hung up without giving Austin a chance to respond.
But in face, I was just worried that Alex would get impatient and angry if he waited too long.
The elevator door opened, and I immediately saw Alex sitting on the sofa, his face cold.
He clearly wasn't in a good mood, especially after that phone call.
After the birthday banquet, it was likely the Herrera family had learned about Alex and me.
Lena and Raphael had never met me, but they knew of my existence.
As for whether they liked me, I wasn't sure.
But one thing I did know was that the Herrera family adhered to strict rules. Even though Austin and I had never been intimate, I had stayed by his side for six years.
If Alex did take me back to the Herrera family, it would definitely caused a stir.
It was hard to say I wasn't worried or scared. Even Alex had admitted that he was afraid of scaring me when we went back to the Herrera family.
Alex was sitting alone on the sofa. When he raised his head, the corner of his lips curled into a gentle smile, softening his usual detachment. "Let's grab some food first."
"Your jacket is wet," I said.
Alex looked up at me, and then, his gaze shifted, his eyes now slightly lowered, a faint chill lingering in them. "It's fine. I'll have the driver take it to the dry cleaners later."
He reached out, his slender fingers carefully taking the handbag from my hand. His voice was steady. "Let's go eat."
I nodded subconsciously, but a flash of hesitation passed through Alex's eyes at that moment.
"There's someone else joining us in a few minutes. If you're not feeling well, I'll have the driver take you back first," he said.
Alex's voice held a trace of concern, even caution.
My heart tightened, and I raised my eyes, meeting his clear, deep gaze.
He didn't really need to ask for my opinion, though. After all, I was the one he'd paid a fortune for.
I took a deep breath and smiled faintly. "It's fine, as long as there's something I like to eat."
There was no need to go into details. Samantha must be there.
No one knew what methods Samantha had used to finally get Alex to compromise.
In the car, Alex leaned back against the seat, his eyes closed. He looked a little tired.
He had slept for less than five hours, but he was still all smiles in front of others.
At this moment, he appeared to have taken off his armor. He was no longer the untouchable man, and I could sense a faint vulnerability—a trace of humanity.
The black Maybach slowly approached the porch of Sunwill Hotel and stopped.
When it did, Alex, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.
He got out of the car, took my hand, and his eyes lingered on me for a moment before his lips curled into a lazy smile.
As I stepped into the reserved private box, I immediately saw Kailyn's bright smile, though a flash of confusion crossed her face as soon as she saw me.
"Here you are. Take a seat," Isaac said, lifting his eyes and holding my gaze for a long moment before speaking. "I didn't expect to see you again, Miss Parks."
His gaze was gentle, polite, but distant.
I nodded slightly, surprised to be meeting someone from the White family again.
"Where's Mr. Parks?" I asked.
Kailyn smiled. "He went to make a phone call. He'll be back in a bit."
Just as she finished speaking, the door behind her opened, and someone entered.
I couldn't help but tighten my grip, my hands clenching together.
It was Maddox Parks, the father I'd never met.