Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 271: Chapter 271
You are reading Falling For My Ex's Uncle, Chapter 271: Chapter 271. Read more chapters of Falling For My Ex's Uncle.
"Laurel, do you know why your mom never went to Newton City to visit you?" Bonnie slowly raised her head to look at me.
I shook my head in confusion. Ever since my mother's health had deteriorated, I had asked her to quit her job.
Not wanting her to be alone at home, I had installed surveillance cameras. I even offered for her to move in with me, or at least rent a place nearby.
At the time, I thought she just didn't want to trouble me with unnecessary expenses.
After I started university, I worked part-time to earn extra money, but Austin believed I shouldn't be wasting my time on such trivial things.
He insisted that I wouldn't need to work after we married, that I only needed to focus on being beautiful.
The truth was, after learning about Austin's background, I always felt unworthy of him.
My background was too ordinary. The only things that set me apart were my looks and my academic achievements.
The university was full of beautiful, high-achieving girls, too many to count.
Many boys changed girlfriends as often as they changed shoes. But Austin was different.
Not only did he come from a good family and look handsome, but the most important thing was that he treated me well.
That was why I followed him to Newton City without hesitation. My mother often called me, asking, "Is Austin good to you?"
When I answered affirmatively, she would let out a sigh of relief.
When Aunt Bonnie brought up past events, I couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Do you remember the year you started university? Your mom came to bring you food, hoping to surprise you, but she ended up seeing Austin."
I paused. I remembered my mom visiting Newton City once, but she only stayed for a day.
It was Austin who saw her outside the school because I hadn't turned on my phone while I was in class.
"Austin told your mom not to bring food since everything could be bought in the big city. Your mom realized then that he was probably embarrassed by her presence," Aunt Bonnie continued, sighing. "But she never told you, thinking as long as he treated you well, that was enough."
I had always thought my mom stayed in Nifelheim City because she didn't want to burden me.
But now I realized that there was more to it.
She had been hiding her own feelings, trying not to upset me.
I hadn't known that, in that relationship, it wasn't just me making compromises, my mom had also been swallowing her own bitterness.
My mom didn't approve of Austin at first. She thought our families' differences, both in status and wealth, would cause problems.
She was worried that Austin wouldn't treat me well if I went to Newton City with him.
Back then, I jokingly told my mom that I wouldn't let myself be wronged.
Austin had visited my mom at home, and he didn't show any signs of disdain.
Eventually, my mom had agreed to our relationship, though she was concerned.
I never realized that my mom's marriage to my father had been similar. It had also been an unequal match.
Even though she had a child with my father, she was never truly accepted by his family.
After their divorce, my father married, Melody, the daughter of the Shepherd family, someone his family had chosen for him.
So, my mom wasn't fond of the idea of me being with Austin. No wonder she had always warned me to protect myself during my university years and not get pregnant before marriage.
When I graduated, she urged me to marry Austin quickly, thinking it would settle her worries and give me a complete family.
She never shared her own feelings with me.
To her, I must have been in love with Austin, which was why I followed him to Newton City, even giving up the chance of entering a good university.
She never went to visit me there, fearing it would upset him.
Over the years, I had thought she simply didn't like unfamiliar cities. And she never went out after she quitted her job, afriad to meet people she knew.
Now, I realized that she had been considering me all along, never her own desires.
Aunt Bonnie continued, "The reason your mom and I agreed to your marriage with Alex was because of his status. We knew that even if you married into the Herrera family, he would protect you. And more importantly, he truly loves you."
At Aunt Bonnie's words, I couldn't help but smile bitterly.
It seemed they had both been fooled by Alex. His affection for me was just part of the persona he was building.
"Mom, I don't think Alex loves Laurel that much," Javier said, standing nearby, defending me.
Aunt Bonnie glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. "What do you know about love? Do you think just saying it means it's true?"
"If love is just about saying it, then how much love can there really be? Plus, the whole thing with Helena. Who believes they have a clean relationship?" Javier retorted, clearly upset.
"You little brat don't understand anything! Do you know what kind of man Alex is? Just look at him. Wherever he stands, how many women would be drawn to him? Why would he waste his time on a girl like that?" Aunt Bonnie shook her head, rolling her eyes at him. "Girls like her are only good for fooling clueless boys like you."
"She's not my type," Javier quickly shot back.
Aunt Bonnie dismissed him, then turned her attention to me, her expression serious. "Laurel, a man's love for you, whether it's real or not, whether it's good or bad, if you really pay attention, you'll be able to see it. You'll feel it."
I nodded, feeling a genuine admiration for Alex's acting skills. It was rare to see someone as convincing as him. Even Aunt Bonnie believed in his deep affection for me.
Aunt Bonnie reminded me several more times to keep my temper in check.
"You always put up with Austin, but why are you so resistant when it comes to Alex?"
I shook my head. Honestly, I didn't know either. I was more afraid of Alex than anything.
When I returned to the room, I found Alex already seated at the dining table, surrounded by various dishes. I froze for a moment.
"Why did you buy so much?" I asked.
"I thought you might get hungry on the plane," he replied, handing me a peeled soft-boiled egg. "You love these."
I stared at the egg in my hand, feeling a pang of guilt.
In that moment, I realized I didn't like him that much, as I knew nothing about his preference.
In contrast, he seemed to remember every little detail about me.
I shook my head in confusion. Ever since my mother's health had deteriorated, I had asked her to quit her job.
Not wanting her to be alone at home, I had installed surveillance cameras. I even offered for her to move in with me, or at least rent a place nearby.
At the time, I thought she just didn't want to trouble me with unnecessary expenses.
After I started university, I worked part-time to earn extra money, but Austin believed I shouldn't be wasting my time on such trivial things.
He insisted that I wouldn't need to work after we married, that I only needed to focus on being beautiful.
The truth was, after learning about Austin's background, I always felt unworthy of him.
My background was too ordinary. The only things that set me apart were my looks and my academic achievements.
The university was full of beautiful, high-achieving girls, too many to count.
Many boys changed girlfriends as often as they changed shoes. But Austin was different.
Not only did he come from a good family and look handsome, but the most important thing was that he treated me well.
That was why I followed him to Newton City without hesitation. My mother often called me, asking, "Is Austin good to you?"
When I answered affirmatively, she would let out a sigh of relief.
When Aunt Bonnie brought up past events, I couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Do you remember the year you started university? Your mom came to bring you food, hoping to surprise you, but she ended up seeing Austin."
I paused. I remembered my mom visiting Newton City once, but she only stayed for a day.
It was Austin who saw her outside the school because I hadn't turned on my phone while I was in class.
"Austin told your mom not to bring food since everything could be bought in the big city. Your mom realized then that he was probably embarrassed by her presence," Aunt Bonnie continued, sighing. "But she never told you, thinking as long as he treated you well, that was enough."
I had always thought my mom stayed in Nifelheim City because she didn't want to burden me.
But now I realized that there was more to it.
She had been hiding her own feelings, trying not to upset me.
I hadn't known that, in that relationship, it wasn't just me making compromises, my mom had also been swallowing her own bitterness.
My mom didn't approve of Austin at first. She thought our families' differences, both in status and wealth, would cause problems.
She was worried that Austin wouldn't treat me well if I went to Newton City with him.
Back then, I jokingly told my mom that I wouldn't let myself be wronged.
Austin had visited my mom at home, and he didn't show any signs of disdain.
Eventually, my mom had agreed to our relationship, though she was concerned.
I never realized that my mom's marriage to my father had been similar. It had also been an unequal match.
Even though she had a child with my father, she was never truly accepted by his family.
After their divorce, my father married, Melody, the daughter of the Shepherd family, someone his family had chosen for him.
So, my mom wasn't fond of the idea of me being with Austin. No wonder she had always warned me to protect myself during my university years and not get pregnant before marriage.
When I graduated, she urged me to marry Austin quickly, thinking it would settle her worries and give me a complete family.
She never shared her own feelings with me.
To her, I must have been in love with Austin, which was why I followed him to Newton City, even giving up the chance of entering a good university.
She never went to visit me there, fearing it would upset him.
Over the years, I had thought she simply didn't like unfamiliar cities. And she never went out after she quitted her job, afriad to meet people she knew.
Now, I realized that she had been considering me all along, never her own desires.
Aunt Bonnie continued, "The reason your mom and I agreed to your marriage with Alex was because of his status. We knew that even if you married into the Herrera family, he would protect you. And more importantly, he truly loves you."
At Aunt Bonnie's words, I couldn't help but smile bitterly.
It seemed they had both been fooled by Alex. His affection for me was just part of the persona he was building.
"Mom, I don't think Alex loves Laurel that much," Javier said, standing nearby, defending me.
Aunt Bonnie glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. "What do you know about love? Do you think just saying it means it's true?"
"If love is just about saying it, then how much love can there really be? Plus, the whole thing with Helena. Who believes they have a clean relationship?" Javier retorted, clearly upset.
"You little brat don't understand anything! Do you know what kind of man Alex is? Just look at him. Wherever he stands, how many women would be drawn to him? Why would he waste his time on a girl like that?" Aunt Bonnie shook her head, rolling her eyes at him. "Girls like her are only good for fooling clueless boys like you."
"She's not my type," Javier quickly shot back.
Aunt Bonnie dismissed him, then turned her attention to me, her expression serious. "Laurel, a man's love for you, whether it's real or not, whether it's good or bad, if you really pay attention, you'll be able to see it. You'll feel it."
I nodded, feeling a genuine admiration for Alex's acting skills. It was rare to see someone as convincing as him. Even Aunt Bonnie believed in his deep affection for me.
Aunt Bonnie reminded me several more times to keep my temper in check.
"You always put up with Austin, but why are you so resistant when it comes to Alex?"
I shook my head. Honestly, I didn't know either. I was more afraid of Alex than anything.
When I returned to the room, I found Alex already seated at the dining table, surrounded by various dishes. I froze for a moment.
"Why did you buy so much?" I asked.
"I thought you might get hungry on the plane," he replied, handing me a peeled soft-boiled egg. "You love these."
I stared at the egg in my hand, feeling a pang of guilt.
In that moment, I realized I didn't like him that much, as I knew nothing about his preference.
In contrast, he seemed to remember every little detail about me.
End of Falling For My Ex's Uncle Chapter 271. Continue reading Chapter 272 or return to Falling For My Ex's Uncle book page.