Step aside, Uncle Pride：Your Nephew is My Next Man - Chapter 32: Chapter 32
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Two days later, it was Mara's birthday.
Cassian had specifically cleared his entire schedule, but when it came time to prepare the cake, he realized how little he truly knew about her.
He didn't even know what flavor cake she liked, so he had no choice but to buy every variety available.
This would be the first time he'd properly celebrated Mara's birthday with her.
Before his paralysis, as a golden boy on top of the world, he'd never paid attention to the birthday of some scholarship student his family sponsored. Later, when she came to his side, his personality had changed drastically due to his condition - he was consumed by shame at having his vulnerability witnessed and constantly took his frustrations out on her.
Even later, when Cassian gradually improved under her care and encouragement, finally learning to soften his edges and treat those around him with kindness - unfortunately, Mara wasn't included among those people.
He'd still been bothered by how completely she'd seen him at his worst, maintaining only surface-level civility out of obligation.
By the time he'd realized his true feelings, Mara had already packed her bags and quietly left his side.
But he consoled himself - it was okay. Even if his understanding of her wasn't deep enough now, they had a future. He would gradually learn all her habits and interests, weaving them into his own life.
As soon as he got home, Cassian proudly displayed all the gifts before her.
"Mara, see if there's anything you like. If not, I'll have someone go buy more."
Before Cassian returned, Mara had prepared herself mentally for two scenarios:
Whether he was faking his love and had forgotten her birthday, or genuinely loved her and would make a big production of it - she was ready for either.
But when Mara saw the cakes and gifts that nearly filled the entire living room, she couldn't help but pause: "Why did you buy so much?"
Cassian's expression froze. He opened his mouth as if finding it hard to explain, stammering before deflecting to other topics.
Seeing him like this, Mara quickly understood.
During their limited time together, Cassian's attention had been focused on his paralyzed legs, on Juliette who had once abandoned him - leaving very little for her.
So little that now, when he wanted to please her, he probably still wasn't clear on her preferences.
She lowered her head and laughed softly, suddenly feeling grateful that she hadn't chosen Cassian.
Seeing her laugh, Cassian thought she was pleased with his preparations and smiled too.
Mara said nothing, randomly selecting one item from the pile of gifts: "This one."
She'd chosen a purple crystal bracelet that wasn't particularly eye-catching among all the gifts, though it was extremely valuable.
The lustrous pale purple crystals looked elegant in her palm, making her skin appear even more fair. She stared at the bracelet, her peripheral vision catching the certificate in the box.
This bracelet was worth nearly ten million dollars, and it was among the less expensive items in the pile.
Inexplicably, she suddenly remembered when she'd first arrived in the UK with pitifully little money - barely enough for a few meals, let alone accommodation.
Back then, in her desperation, she'd worked odd jobs while figuring out her future path.
If she'd had a bracelet like this then, even selling it at a discount would have given her enough money to live comfortably for a while. Maybe... she wouldn't have been so broke that she could only find random places to rest, nearly getting caught up in a criminal case?
Fortunately, her luck wasn't all bad - or perhaps when you hit rock bottom, you can only bounce back. During that most difficult period, she'd met the most important person in her life.
She'd encountered Noah while working part-time. Perhaps because it was rare to meet a fellow American person, combined with the joy of finding a familiar face in a foreign land, he couldn't help but chat beyond just ordering.
She'd responded politely as customer service, never imagining that those few exchanges would connect her to her future.
Cassian had specifically cleared his entire schedule, but when it came time to prepare the cake, he realized how little he truly knew about her.
He didn't even know what flavor cake she liked, so he had no choice but to buy every variety available.
This would be the first time he'd properly celebrated Mara's birthday with her.
Before his paralysis, as a golden boy on top of the world, he'd never paid attention to the birthday of some scholarship student his family sponsored. Later, when she came to his side, his personality had changed drastically due to his condition - he was consumed by shame at having his vulnerability witnessed and constantly took his frustrations out on her.
Even later, when Cassian gradually improved under her care and encouragement, finally learning to soften his edges and treat those around him with kindness - unfortunately, Mara wasn't included among those people.
He'd still been bothered by how completely she'd seen him at his worst, maintaining only surface-level civility out of obligation.
By the time he'd realized his true feelings, Mara had already packed her bags and quietly left his side.
But he consoled himself - it was okay. Even if his understanding of her wasn't deep enough now, they had a future. He would gradually learn all her habits and interests, weaving them into his own life.
As soon as he got home, Cassian proudly displayed all the gifts before her.
"Mara, see if there's anything you like. If not, I'll have someone go buy more."
Before Cassian returned, Mara had prepared herself mentally for two scenarios:
Whether he was faking his love and had forgotten her birthday, or genuinely loved her and would make a big production of it - she was ready for either.
But when Mara saw the cakes and gifts that nearly filled the entire living room, she couldn't help but pause: "Why did you buy so much?"
Cassian's expression froze. He opened his mouth as if finding it hard to explain, stammering before deflecting to other topics.
Seeing him like this, Mara quickly understood.
During their limited time together, Cassian's attention had been focused on his paralyzed legs, on Juliette who had once abandoned him - leaving very little for her.
So little that now, when he wanted to please her, he probably still wasn't clear on her preferences.
She lowered her head and laughed softly, suddenly feeling grateful that she hadn't chosen Cassian.
Seeing her laugh, Cassian thought she was pleased with his preparations and smiled too.
Mara said nothing, randomly selecting one item from the pile of gifts: "This one."
She'd chosen a purple crystal bracelet that wasn't particularly eye-catching among all the gifts, though it was extremely valuable.
The lustrous pale purple crystals looked elegant in her palm, making her skin appear even more fair. She stared at the bracelet, her peripheral vision catching the certificate in the box.
This bracelet was worth nearly ten million dollars, and it was among the less expensive items in the pile.
Inexplicably, she suddenly remembered when she'd first arrived in the UK with pitifully little money - barely enough for a few meals, let alone accommodation.
Back then, in her desperation, she'd worked odd jobs while figuring out her future path.
If she'd had a bracelet like this then, even selling it at a discount would have given her enough money to live comfortably for a while. Maybe... she wouldn't have been so broke that she could only find random places to rest, nearly getting caught up in a criminal case?
Fortunately, her luck wasn't all bad - or perhaps when you hit rock bottom, you can only bounce back. During that most difficult period, she'd met the most important person in her life.
She'd encountered Noah while working part-time. Perhaps because it was rare to meet a fellow American person, combined with the joy of finding a familiar face in a foreign land, he couldn't help but chat beyond just ordering.
She'd responded politely as customer service, never imagining that those few exchanges would connect her to her future.
End of Step aside, Uncle Pride：Your Nephew is My Next Man Chapter 32. Continue reading Chapter 33 or return to Step aside, Uncle Pride：Your Nephew is My Next Man book page.