Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

I managed to snag the dazzling ruby for a cool one million, and I couldn't have pulled it off without the help of Angela and Austin.
After all, one's the princess of the Adams family, and the other's the heir to the Herrera Group.
So, as their best friend and fiancée, I was pretty much the golden ticket everyone wanted to cozy up to.
The auction wrapped up, and when I took the ruby from the staff, Austin tossed me the car keys without a second thought. "Just put it in my car," he said.
Before anyone could blink, Rosemary reached out and grabbed the keys. "Austin, let me take care of it for you," she said in her sweetest voice.
But Angela wasn't having any of it. She immediately stepped in, stopping Rosemary in her tracks and giving her a look. "That's not yours, is it?"
Rosemary smiled, clearly trying to smooth things over. "Actually, this gift was bought by Laurel for my mom. I just wanted to leave it in the car for now."
Angela raised an eyebrow, not buying it. "For your mom? Why would Laurel buy your mom a gift?"
Rosemary explained, "Angela, next month's my mom's birthday. Isn't it normal for Laurel to buy her something?"
Angela gave her a sharp smile. "Stop acting all innocent. And why the hell would Laurel buy a gift for your mom?"
Despite Angela keeping her voice calm, the people around us were starting to look, their curiosity piqued.
Austin's brow furrowed as he glanced at me. "Angela, this is family business. Not really your issue, right?"
I just stood there next to Angela, pretending to be totally confused. Honestly, it was better to let her let off some steam.
She wasn't used to this kind of drama, and I figured it was about time she had a chance to vent.
Rosemary tugged gently on Austin's sleeve, her face full of guilt. She looked up at him, voice trembling a little. "Austin, please don't be mad. It's my fault I broke Laurel's ring.
"I'm just the adopted daughter of the Herrera family. Please don't let this cause trouble with Miss Adams."
The onlookers were practically salivating at the drama, some even giving me looks that were filled with judgment.
In their eyes, I was probably just the spoiled girl who was using Austin's affection and Angela's position to look down on Rosemary, the poor adopted daughter.
Angela let out a little chuckle, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Oh, look at you, knowing your place now? You wouldn't want people to think you're Austin's side piece, huh?"
"Austin!" he snapped, but then immediately realized how that sounded and softened his tone, clearly trying to keep the peace. "For Laurel's sake, I'm not gonna start anything with you."
He then turned to me, snatched the keys from Rosemary's hand, and shoved them into mine. "Put it in the car."
Angela handed me the ruby, then casually tossed the keys back at Rosemary. "If you wanna impress your future mother-in-law, buy your own damn gifts. Don't go eyeing Laurel's stuff."
"Laurel," Austin said, fixing me with a sharp look, "I've already let go of yesterday's issue. And I trust Rosemary has cleared everything up with you, right?"
I ignored his warning, a faint smile curling on my lips as I leaned in closer to him. "Austin, I made it pretty clear at the reunion yesterday. We're done.
"You didn't think I bought this ruby for your mom, did you? What the hell have you ever given me over the years?"
The room fell completely silent. Everyone looked at me like I'd just dropped a bombshell. Even Austin was staring at me like I'd grown a second head.
"Was it that bracelet or the same handbag Rosemary has?" I said, glancing at Rosemary's flushed face. "Maybe your sister's not the one with the mental issues. Maybe it's you."
Austin never saw this coming. He had no idea I'd blow the lid off Rosemary's mental issues right in front of everyone. After all, this was a secret only the Herrera family knew, and they'd kept it buried for years.
Angela quickly yanked me back a couple of steps, putting on a fake panicked expression. "Laurel, stay the hell away from her. You know, people with mental issues don't have to answer for killing someone."
The moment she said that, Rosemary's face crumpled with hurt, and tears started flooding down her face.
Meanwhile, Austin, standing right beside her, saw how much she was falling apart and immediately shielded her like she was some delicate princess.
His anger was barely contained as he gritted his teeth and spat, "Laurel Parks, you owe her an apology. Or this wedding is off!"
I snapped, unable to hold it in any longer. My brows furrowed, and I shot back, "Austin, are you hearing me? I'll say it one more time—we're done!"
Austin stood there, completely stunned, as if I'd just slapped him in front of everyone. I could tell he never expected me to officially cut ties with him in front of so many witnesses.
But deep down, he knew. He knew yesterday that I had already made up my mind to break up with him, which was why he sent Rosemary to try and blackmail me into staying with him.
Then, out of nowhere, Rosemary stepped up and grabbed my wrist with a desperate grip. "Laurel, it's all my fault. It's not Austin's fault. If you can't stand me, I'll leave. I know my illness disgusts you."
Then, she whispered in my ear, her voice dripping with malice, "You'll end up ruining your mom's life, you know that? And who the hell is gonna want you after this?"
Angela couldn't take it anymore. She shoved Rosemary aside and yelled, "You're out of your damn mind!"
I looked around, and the entire room was staring at us, curiosity written all over their faces.
I couldn't believe it—Rosemary was using her condition to get sympathy, making it seem like I dumped Austin because of her mental health.
She was trying to paint me as the villain who wanted to kick her out of the Herrera family.
What a manipulative little brat.
I took a deep breath, forced myself to calm down, and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I do want you out of my life. Who the hell wants to be with someone who's a ticking time bomb, ready to snap any second?
"If I didn't know you were adopted by the Herrera family, if I didn't know about your condition, I might have thought you were just after Austin's money.
"You've always been after everything I have. Hell, you even had the nerve to steal the old man's heirloom. What the hell wouldn't you do?"
"Laurel Parks, you've crossed the line!" Austin's voice dropped to a deadly low growl as he glared at me, his eyes burning with fury.
But I didn't flinch. I stared right back, and for the first time, I felt nothing. The man I had loved for years? He wasn't mine anymore.
I took a deep breath and stepped right up to him, looking him in the eye. "Austin, if you didn't love me anymore, you could've told me earlier. I wouldn't have dragged this out.
"You didn't have to make yourself miserable. Every lie you fed me carved another scar in my heart. And now? Now I realize—I don't love you anymore, either."