Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 129: Chapter 129

"You are really going to marry Kailyn?" Samantha lifted her gaze to Alex, her eyes locked onto his deep-set ones, searching for the answer she wanted.
Alex pressed his lips together in hesitation, still saying nothing.
A bitter smile flickered across Samantha's lips, but it vanished in an instant.
"Alex, if you want to break off our engagement, forget it." Samantha smiled stubbornly. "Unless I die!"
Alex furrowed his brows slightly, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
Just as he was about to speak, Samantha deliberately cut him off.
"Don't wait for me tomorrow. I will be at the Herrera family estate," she said before turning and walking away without looking back.
Watching Samantha's retreating figure, I felt an inexplicable weight settle in my chest.
I never imagined that the flawless, noble, and beloved Harvey family heiress could ever be unwanted. The one who wasn't loved wasn't always the most pathetic.
I suddenly saw a reflection of my past self in Samantha. But we are not the same.
Even if Alex broke off his engagement with Samantha, she would never lack suitors.
With her prestigious family background, striking beauty, and elegant demeanor, countless men would gladly line up to marry her.
Even if she got hurt outside, she still had a family that would cherish and protect her.
They would even stand up for her if she ever suffered an injustice. And me?
When I broke up with Austin, my mother was so anxious that she ended up in the hospital.
She never once asked me why we broke up. Perhaps she already knew. And I never spoke about it either.
Just like all those years ago when those bullies beat me up, stole my things, ripped my books, and cut my hair.
They did it without hesitation because they knew I had no family to back me up. Even if I was bullied, what could I do?
I was never the kind of child who was sheltered and protected. So I learned how to read people, and how to gauge their intentions.
I could tell, just from a single look, whether someone was kind or cruel, whether their goodwill was genuine or fake.
I never believed that anyone in this world would be willing to love me unconditionally, except for my family.
But in my final year of high school, Austin held my hand under the old oak tree behind the dormitory and confessed his love to me with deep sincerity.
He said he was willing to be my family, to give me a home. That his love for me was like that tree, steadfast, unshakable, and eternal.
His words were so full of conviction, and I was so moved that I believed him completely. I wondered if the tree in school was still alive.
"Come out." A cold voice yanked me out of my thoughts. I lifted my gaze to meet Alex's eyes.
He was staring at me intently, his eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. "You've been watching for a while. Tired yet?"
I forced an awkward smile and quickly shook my head.
"Nothing you want to ask?" Alex watched me quietly.
I pressed my lips together and shook my head again, feeling an uneasy knot forming in my chest.
He added, "If you don't have any questions, then I do."
As expected, it was never a good thing when Alex acted seriously.
"What is it?" I lifted my gaze to Alex, looking at him in confusion.
He asked, "Do you really hate Samantha?"
"Yeah." I blurted it out without even thinking.
But the moment the words left my mouth, I regretted it. Why was I so quick to speak? But to be fair, I did hate her.
Not because of her status, but because of her arrogant, untouchable demeanor. The way she pretended to be gentle and kind in public but was ruthless and cruel behind the scenes.
It was as if she were some kind of goddess, able to crush people with no background whenever she pleased.
The rich and privileged only have to put in the slightest effort to receive endless praise. They're already standing at the top of the pyramid, yet they still strive for more.
How ridiculous. They have access to resources that ordinary people could never even dream of.
Even when they already have more than enough, they still want to take from those who have little.
And in their eyes, the poor are only poor because they didn't work hard enough.
As if their own success had nothing to do with the family they were born into.
They stood at the top, looking down, pointing fingers at the people struggling to survive, blaming them for their failures.
If we swapped places, I doubted those pampered heiresses could last even a single day in hardship.
"Why?" Alex looked at me calmly.
I glanced at him. "Jealousy, envy, resentment. Take your pick."
"Then do you hate me too?" he asked, his tone flat, his face unreadable.
"How could I hate you? You're too good-looking." I squinted slightly, flashing a fake smile.
Alex really was handsome. So no, I didn't hate him. But I couldn't bring myself to like him either.
I never liked men who had too many women circling around them. Even if they didn't actively seek it out, just allowing it to happen was enough.
Alex let out a cold laugh, his gaze turning icy.
Was he mad? Was it because I saw something I shouldn't have? Or was it because I let two women who wanted him tear each other apart?
Whatever. At this point, I might as well embrace the chaos.
As long as I got rid of the biggest threats standing in my way, the minor nuisances wouldn't be able to stop me.
Alex took the shopping bag from my hand, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You really are fearless, aren't you?"
I looked up reluctantly, meeting his unfathomable gaze. My instinct was to take a step back. But before I could, he reached out and pulled me into the elevator.
He added, "Aren't you afraid that I might actually marry Kailyn?"
"I am," I admitted, my brows knitting together as I held his cold, piercing gaze. "But I know you won't."
Alex stared at me for a long moment before scoffing. "You really think you know me that well? Or are you just getting ahead of yourself?"
My heart skipped a beat. I had prepared myself for this confrontation, but I hadn't expected him to call me out so directly.
A carefully laid-out plan would never escape the sharp eyes of a man like him.
"Laurel, you're not the same person I first met." His voice was calm, but there was something unreadable in his eyes. "Back then, you were naive, foolish. But now... you're unpredictable and clever, sometimes too clever."
"Times have changed," I said, my voice steady. "If I'm going to marry you, I refuse to settle for less."
Alex looked at me without a word.
The elevator doors slid open. He smiled and said, "Good. You shouldn't have to."