He lowered his head and kissed me, his lips warm and lingering. “It won’t be just rambling for long,” he murmured.
***
Three days later, I returned to the Hamilton mansion.
Chapter 5
+25 BONUS
Joshua and I were there to visit Grandpa Hubert.
Back then, he was the one who brought me into the Hamilton family, treating me like his own. granddaughter all these years. But his health had taken a turn lately, and he spent most of his time overseas recovering. This trip back was for his 80th birthday, and I’d heard he’d be leaving again soon after.
After seeing Grandpa Hubert, Joshua got a call and stepped out to the back garden, leaving me in a quiet corner to wait.
“I thought you wouldn’t come back.”
The voice came out of nowhere. I turned and saw Lex standing behind me, his expression as dark as ever.
I ignored his sour mood and smiled. “Of course I’d come back for Grandpa Hubert’s birthday. Plus, I brought my husband to meet him.”
Lex’s eyes turned colder. “What, more new tricks? Did you spend those years in the
countryside dreaming up ways to get under my skin? Don’t kid yourself—I’ll never marry you. I’ll tell Grandpa right now to call off the engagement.”
His gaze dropped to my belly, his lip curling. “And take that bastard child with you. I don’t want to see you around here again.”
Before he could finish, a warm, unhurried voice cut through the tension.
“Oh? Lex Hamilton, quite the authority you’ve become. I wasn’t aware Hamilton family now.”
Lex froze as he turned toward the voice.
“Uncle Joshua,” he said stiffly.
were running the
Joshua walked over to my side, took my hand, and fixed Lex with a cool stare. “I’m not sure I can accept being your uncle anymore, considering you’re trying to throw out my wife.”
Lex turned pale, his eyes locking onto our joined hands. His voice cracked. “You… you’re saying she’s your wife? Audrey… and you?”
Joshua’s expression hardened. “She’s your aunt, Lex. Maybe try showing a little respect instead of calling her by name.”
Lex’s face turned ashen, but he recovered quickly.
Throughout the family banquet that followed, he kept his expression perfectly blank, acting like none of it had happened.
