In Love With Her Nominal Uncle
Aurelia Prescott nodded absentmindedly.
Nathaniel Fitzgerald—her nominal uncle.
The only heir of the Fitzgerald family, driven out of their ranks because of her.
It was also because of her that Nathaniel took action against Evangeline’s mother, sparking a deadly feud with Alexandrez.
She hoped Nathaniel would come back.
But at the same time, the idea filled her with dread.
His return would almost certainly provoke Alexandrez and might place him in grave danger.
More than that, her father, Master Prescott, would never allow Nathaniel to be anywhere near her.
Nathaniel wasn’t just her uncle.
He was the adopted son her grandfather had taken in when her mother refused to inherit the Fitzgerald family.
At first, Nathaniel was the golden child, the pride of the Fitzgerald family.
But no one expected the shocking revelation that came to light years later, that Nathaniel, who was only three years older than Aurelia, had fallen in love with her.
It wasn’t a quiet, shame-filled affection.
No, it was bold, reckless, and completely out of control. Scandal after scandal followed, each more damaging than the last.
For the sake of Aurelia’s reputation, her grandfather had no choice but to exile Nathaniel from the family.
He stripped Nathaniel of all inheritance rights, effectively erasing him from their world.
Nathaniel disappeared, leaving no trace behind. Since then, he hadn’t appeared in her life.
Not once.
“Aurelia, look over there…”
Lost in her memories, Aurelia was abruptly pulled back to the present by Sophia’s voice.
Turning toward the direction her friend indicated, Aurelia froze.
At a table in the luxurious dining hall of La Fenêtre sat Alexandrez and Evangeline.
The sight of them together was like a blade to Aurelia’s chest.
Evangeline clung to Alexandrez’s arm, her sweet, self-assured smile dazzling under the chandelier’s glow.
Alexandrez didn’t pull away. In fact, he seemed perfectly comfortable, even amused by the attention.
Aurelia’s stomach twisted painfully.
Alexandrez hated physical touch, or at least, he always had with her.
Every time she’d tried to link arms with him or sit close during a meal, he would recoil, his handsome face twisted in discomfort.
Yet here he was now, allowing Evangeline to act so intimately without a hint of resistance.
Reality struck her hard.
Over and over, life had shown her the truth, Alexandrez felt nothing for her. If anything, the only emotion he harbored was resentment.
“Aurelia, are you okay?” Sophia asked gently, her voice laced with concern.
She could see the cracks forming in her friend’s calm façade.
If she had known Alexandrez and Evangeline would be here, she would have whisked Aurelia away long before they stepped foot in the restaurant.
Blinking rapidly, Aurelia forced a small smile and shook her head. “I’m fine, Sophia. Truly. If I’m lucky enough to have something, I cherish it. If it’s not meant to be, I’ve learned to let it go. You don’t need to worry about me.”
Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper, but it carried a quiet strength.
Yet, for someone like Evangeline, even the softest words didn’t go unnoticed.
From her seat, Evangeline’s sharp eyes zeroed in on the two women standing near the entrance.
A subtle smirk curved her lips. Wherever Sophia Leclair was, Aurelia Prescott couldn’t be far behind.
In their world of wealth and influence, Sophia and Aurelia had always been inseparable, like twin stars orbiting one another.
Most assumed the downfall of the Prescott family would sever their bond.
Clearly, they had been wrong.