Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 430: Chapter 430

"Yes," I replied without hesitation, nodding firmly. "He's family to me."
From the way Alex spoke, it seemed like he too had guessed that Marvin was in danger. If I knew someone was after his life, how could I just stand by?
If he died, I feared I wouldn't have the face to meet Angela in the afterlife. I had promised her that, whenever Marvin was bullied, I would help him.
Though Marvin had changed his name, in my heart, he was still the same person—the one who used to follow us around like a little sidekick. He was the one who, no matter the danger, would rush to help others without hesitation, even if it meant putting himself at risk.
Marvin was actually quite timid and shy, but he was an incredibly kind person.
No matter whether he was Marvin or someone else, in my heart, he would always be the one who stood in front of me whenever I was in trouble, willing to protect me. Whenever he got beaten up, he would never retaliate, nor would he beg for mercy.
"Why don't you fight back? You could tell your parents or the teachers," Angela once asked, her face filled with frustration when she saw Marvin getting bullied.
Marvin would wipe the blood from his lips and shake his head. "If I hit them back, it's the same as fighting. And if I don't have a hundred percent certainty that I can beat them, the consequences will be worse. Telling the teachers or parents won't solve the problem either."
When Angela heard that, her anger would surge.
She thought Marvin was just too cowardly, too scared to tell his parents or teachers.
Even when he was older and capable of fighting back, he still wouldn't strike back.
He sometimes even blamed himself, thinking it was his fault for getting involved in other people's business, that getting beaten up was somehow deserved.
Angela would often want to get back at the bullies for him, but Marvin would stop her with a line like, "Revenge just keeps the cycle going." That nearly drove Angela mad.
But eventually, those bullies seemed to leave him alone.
When they saw him, they couldn't even be bothered to pick on him anymore, though they still called him "idiot." But Marvin wasn't an idiot. He'd even justify it by saying, "I just don't want to argue with a bunch of immature kids."
"So, what about me? What am I to you?" Alex lowered his head to look at me, an unreadable expression on his face.
I felt a flutter in my chest, a slight tremor.
Looking into his sharp eyes, I pretended to be calm as I answered, "Of course, you're my husband. Don't you think so?"
"Husband?" Alex narrowed his eyes, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He gave a slight nod.
After a brief pause, he looked away and sighed. "So, if Marvin and I both fell into the river, who would you save?"
My lips twitched in surprise. I hadn't expected the ever-rational Alex to ask such a ridiculous, almost childish question.
I was left speechless for a moment, but deep down, a part of me couldn't help but wonder: Was Alex perhaps a little concerned about me?
"I can't swim," I said, answering seriously. Seeing his face darken, I quickly added, "But if I could swim, I would save you first."
Alex gave me a faint, almost dismissive glance. "Really?"
I nodded. "Marvin can swim, so he wouldn't need me to save him."
After I took Alex back to his room, he laid down on the bed, slowly closing his eyes.
I, recognizing the cue, quietly left the room.
When Marvin and I stepped out of the hospital, I saw a familiar face waiting.
Before I could say anything, Marvin leaned toward my ear and whispered, "Your husband seems pretty generous, letting such a capable guy drive you around."
I froze for a second, casting Marvin a confused look.
"Did you know the man behind us is a champion in underground boxing?" Marvin paused and added, "He used to protect important figures."
I coughed awkwardly, looking at Marvin in disbelief.
He wore an envious expression. "I'm no match for him."
"Well, that's normal," I said, nodding in understanding.
Marvin gritted his teeth, glaring at me in frustration. "Laurel, could you stop rubbing salt into my wounds?"
I glanced at his injured arm, nodding silently.
I quickly glanced back at the man in the black suit behind us. He certainly seemed like he knew how to handle himself, but I didn't expect him to be a champion in underground boxing.
I guess using someone like that to protect me might be overkill. It might be better to have him stick with Marvin, so I could feel a bit safer.
"You're injured, and the car's wrecked. If you're heading back to the station, let him take you," I suggested.
"Are you kidding me? I'm a cop. What kind of cop needs a bodyguard?" Marvin lowered his voice, leaning back against the seat, his face showing a sad expression. "The price is a reflection of the value. If you'd let me borrow the car, my car's probably totaled."
I sighed. "You're injured, and the guy's after you."
Marvin brushed it off. "Don't worry. He won't come back. And my colleagues at the station will protect me."
"You're sure he won't send someone else to kill you?" I asked, my tone sharp.
The man disguised as the elderly person might have caught Marvin by surprise and injured him, but it was clear that the man's abilities were superior. He must've already figured out everything about Marvin, and with the enemy in the shadows, Marvin was at a disadvantage.
If he sent someone else, Marvin might not be so lucky next time.
Marvin smiled confidently. "Don't worry, I'll just stay away from the station for a while."
I gave a dry chuckle, turning to look at him. "You think I'll believe you now?"
"By the way, is Jamilah alright?"
Marvin, realizing he couldn't argue with me, quickly changed the subject.
"She's fine." I fixed my gaze on his wounded arm, my voice turning cold. "Marvin, if you try sneaking off by yourself, I'll break your legs."
"Wait, you... You know that's assaulting a police officer, right?" Marvin stumbled over his words, knowing I wasn't kidding.
I nodded, raising an eyebrow and grinning. "It's fine. You can call the police on me."