Trading My Ex for His Uncle

"Valarie, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have given you the silent treatment for so long. I wasn't even angry anymore. I just... couldn't bring myself to reach out first," Brandon said.

Valarie frowned slightly, her eyes filled with disbelief. "Then why is it that every time I texted you or came to see you, you acted so cold? And now, as I'm leaving, you suddenly run over and hug me like you don't want me to go. Don't you think you're being unreasonable?"

Brandon lowered his gaze. "Because I felt like if I let you walk away, we might really break up.

Valarie pressed her lips together and remained silent.

To be honest, when she turned to leave just now, breaking up had definitely crossed her mind.

How could a relationship where communication didn't work, and every conflict led to silence, last?

After a moment of silence, Brandon looked up at her again. "Valarie, I know ignoring you all this time hurt you. I'm sorry. I was just trying to figure out how we could be together in a way that felt right for both of us."

"You don't have to apologize. I've been thinking too. I realize now that I was unfair to you. I'm sorry. I'll try to do better in the future," Valarie replied.

Brandon hummed.

They exchanged a smile, warmth softening their gazes.

Brandon pulled Valarie into a hug and said gently, "Valarie, I hope we can move forward without fighting like this again."

The past two weeks without her had been unbearable. He'd buried himself in work, trying to distract himself, but she was all he could think about in the quiet moments.noveldrama

Was she eating well? Was she thinking about him too?

Even if she hadn't come to find him today, he knew he wouldn't have lasted much longer before reaching out himself.

Life without her felt empty. Every second dragged. Only when she was by his side did he feel at peace.

...

After they reconciled, Charlie noticed

a drastic improvement at the office. At least his boss wasn't walking around with a perpetual storm cloud over his head anymore.

Saturday arrived, and Valarie had dinner plans with Nyla and Damon.

When they arrived, they saw Valarie and Brandon sitting together, chatting and laughing.

Nyla raised an eyebrow as she took her seat across from them. "So, I take it you two made up?"

"Yeah. Nyla, thanks for talking some sense into me earlier," Valarie admitted.

If it weren't for Nyla pointing out where she'd gone wrong, Valarie probably would've just stayed stubborn, leading to a bigger fight, maybe even a breakup.

"I'm just glad to see things worked out," Nyla said with a smile.

After dinner, Valarie and Brandon planned to see a movie.

Valarie turned to Nyla. "Do you guys want to come? You and Damon have never been to the movies together, right?"

Nyla shook her head. "No, but I doubt Damon would enjoy it. He doesn't like crowded places."

Brandon nodded. "That sounds like my uncle."

Before Damon could speak, Brandon added, "But you know, going to the movieszis kind of a must-do date for couples. Then again, dragging my

uncle to the movies would be

pushing it.

"Aunt Nyla, being with him must be tough, huh? A lot of typical couple activities

are probably off-limits for you."

Seeing the regretful look on

Brandon's face, Damon suddenly felt

competitive. He forced a smile "It's

just

t@movie. What makes you think I

can't do it? We'll go."