Trading My Ex for His Uncle

Brandon noticed Nyla's cold attitude and sat down in silence. Neither of them spoke until Damon returned with the fruit.

"Why so quiet?" he asked.

Nyla took the bowl of strawberries from his hands. "Nothing to talk about."

Damon looked slightly surprised. Nyla rarely made her feelings about someone so obvious.

He turned to Brandon and asked, "Did you do something to upset my wife?"

Brandon was speechless.

He was innocent! He hadn't even seen Nyla recently-how could he have offended her?

Then it hit him. Valarie must have told her everything during her visit earlier. That had to be why Nyla was siding with her friend and giving him the cold shoulder.

Realizing this, he grew anxious. "Aunt Nyla, I swear, there was nothing going on between me and that friend. Valarie misunderstood."

"Oh," Nyla said flatly. "Then go explain it to her. She's the one dating you, after all."

Thinking about Valarie's dinner plans that evening, Nyla suddenly chuckled. If Brandon knew about the younger man Valarie was meeting tonight, his reaction would be priceless.

"I already cut ties with that friend. Valarie said that if I don't see her for a month, she'll forgive me," Brandon explained.

Nyla took a bite of her strawberry and nodded. "Good luck with that."

"Mm," Brandon hummed in response.

Soon, dinner was ready.

Just as they sat down, Brandon's phone rang. The moment he answered, his expression darkened. "Got it. I'll be right there."

Hanging up, he stood abruptly. "Uncle Damon, Aunt Nyla, something urgent came up. I have to go. Let's have dinner another time."

As they watched him rush out, Damon looked slightly surprised. Brandon had always been steady and composed-it was rare to see him so flustered.

Nyla placed a chicken wing on Damon's plate. "Eat up, or the food will get cold." Damon smiled. "Alright."

...

Brandon sped toward a high-end restaurant.

The drive usually took 40 minutes, yet he made it in under 30.

As soon as he stepped out of his car, he spotted Valarie sitting by a window-with another man.noveldrama

Through the glass, he could clearly see her soft, shy smile and the subtle way she teased the guy across from her.

Brandon clenched his fists, his blood nearly boiling.

How could she promise to take him

back if

Miche

stayed away from

, only to turn around al

have dinner with another man?!

His face darkened as rage and Stration surged through him.

a second thought, he

stormed into the restaurant

A server at the entrance hurried over. "Sir, we require reservations to dine here.

Are you looking for someone, or—"

"Move." Brandon's voice was ice-cold, his eyes burning with fury.

Startled by his intimidating presence, the server instinctively stepped back.

Brandon ignored her and strode straight inside.

Sensing something was wrong, the server quickly followed. "Sir! Please, we really do require a reservation- Sir!"

The commotion drew attention from the other diners, including Valarie and her dinner date.

Just as she looked up, her gaze collided

S Brandon's sharp, frigid

r fingers subconsciously

tightened around her fork.

from her.

Brandon reached her side in an instant, casting a glance at the man sitting across

He wasn't bad-looking-no wonder Valarie was interested.

But when the guy met Brandon's gaze, he immediately looked away, his

expression nervous and evasive.

A sneer flickered in Brandon's eyes.