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Chapter 60
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His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 61
"Liam, it's Rafael. Come out so we can talk.The call had been short, his voice clipped and curt, almost as if talking to his ex-wife's cousin was the chore with which he was barely willing to put up. Liam stalled for quite a while longer before calling him back, agreeing to meet Rafael at a downtown coffee shop. It wasn't much more than what it had been; then again, he wasn't exactly looking to let Rafael off easy.Now he sat at the corner table of this dingy café, eyes fixed on the door. He'd seen Rafael out of control once before, the nasty mess of their divorce. What then, for God's sake, could he be looking for with Bernice?Rafael walked in through the door, his eyes scanning the room until they zeroed in on Liam. His face didn't show any form of emotion. In one decisive stride, he cut across the room to slide into the chair opposite Liam and didn't waste any time extending a greeting."You're late," Liam said coolly, leaning back in his chair.Rafael flipped the comment onto
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 62
Bernice stared into her empty storefront, her small fashion studio. In the eye of her mind, one hurricane raged, in unending memories, frenetic nights that didn't let her sleep, endless work, and one balancing race to bring up her twins Luca and Mia all on her own. "Belle Designs" had been a dream, but one at which she had fought to keep breathing.She felt the tiniest patter of tiny feet behind her and turned to see Luca toddle toward her, clutching a now-crumpled sketch she had been working on. He was barely two but had already received a knack for finding trouble. Bernice smiled and scooped him up in her arms, planting a kiss on his chubby cheek. "You're going to be my little artist, huh?"Not wanting to be left out, Mia jabbered from the playpen, "Mama!" Little hands waved in the air, and Bernice's heart went mushy. Those two were her joys in life, the reason she struggled so hard every single day.Her ringing phone yanked her back to reality. She peered at the caller ID; it was
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 63
"Mama, I'm a pirate!" Luca shouted, swinging a cardboard sword high overhead.She bit her lip, stifling a giggle, watching him sideways as he sat at the kitchen table in the middle of creating some new design, but it was hard not to avoid the antics of Luca. His sister Mia was second to none, savoring every moment in busying herself with stacking blocks into what looked like an intricate castle for her brother's pirate ship to conquer.“Luca, sweetie, not with the sword," Bernice hollered, eyes still on her sketch. "I don't want you accidentally poking Mia.""I won't, Mama!" Luca promised with a grin that melted Bernice's heart.She looked up at the clock-heck of time; all the weight of responsibility fell squarely onto her shoulders again. It was still only mid-morning, and she was already exhausted. Between Belle Designs and two rambunctious two-year-olds to deal with, at times she had been pulled in every direction at once."Clara, I need more hours in a day," she grumbled under
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 64
"Mama, hurry!" Luca pulled at Bernice's hand, bubbling with excitement as they entered the daycare. "I wanna show you my painting!""Coming, baby," Bernice replied, chuckling as she looked down at her son with his exuberant face, while Mia was a little more subdued but shining nonetheless with anticipation as she clung onto her other hand.Today had been family day at the daycare, and all the parents had been invited down to see what the kids had been up to. She had looked forward to it, even as the weight of her meeting with Alexander Cole sat right in the back of her mind."Mummy, can I have two cookies?" Mia asked hopefully, her eyes wide.“We shall see,” said Bernice, smiling at the ingenuous request of her daughter. Let's go see your paintings first.Colorful pictures covered every wall as Bernice entered the main room. Kids and parents were laughing and chatting loudly, creating a lively atmosphere. Delicious smells of freshly baked treats filled the air."There it is!" Luca let
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 65
"Are you okay, Mommy?" Luca asked his little brows furrowed in concern. "You're not smiling.Bernice dropped to her knees and pulled the twins into her embrace. "I'm fine, my loves-just a little tired.""Maybe you need cookies!" Mia suggested brightly."Cookies do sound good," Bernice replied, trying to be every bit as peppy as her daughter was. "Let's make some together.”The twins giggled and rolled cookie dough into balls as Bernice's mind chewed on her meeting with Alexander just one week ago. He had offered to help, but she'd turned him flat. Now, she wasn't so sure that was such a good decision."Mommy, look!" Mia squealed, holding up a dough ball that was more mess than form."Perfect!" Bernice said, forcing a smile. "Just like your drawing."Later that evening, while she cleaned up the kitchen, the phone buzzed once more. Alexander was on the other end. She let out a soft sigh and picked it up."Bernice," he said, smooth as ice. "How are you holding up?""I'm surviving," she r
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 66
The boardroom was thick with anticipation as Bernice adjusted her blouse collar, checking her watch for what felt like the hundredth time. It was finally here; the day she would make her announcement concerning her business venture with Alexander Cole. “Are you ready for this?” Clara asked the assistant and confident who had been double-checking camera equipment for what must have felt like the hundredth time."I think so," Bernice replied, catching her breath. "I have never done anything like this before."Clara smiled reassuringly. "You got this. You are the boss after all. You do set your boundaries and stick to them."Bernice nodded, her breath catching. "Right. No personal entanglements. Just business.”The door opened and Alexander strolled in, just oozing confidence. "Bernice! You look great," he said with a very warm smile."Oh, thanks, you too," she said with the color of her cheeks instantly one shade of pink.But the closer he was to her, the bolt running inside her seemed
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 67
As Bernice stepped into Alexander's mansion and straight to the big backyard. She was stunned. The garden was lit as a bright wonderland with balloons, colored decorations, and happy music playing in the background. A huge banner was hanging over the entrance that read, "Happy 2nd Birthday, Luca and Mia!"She opened her eyes to children running and laughing. The air vibrated with the sound of tables lined full of snacks and party favors. Turning, she saw Alexander grinning at her from ear to ear, his eyes twinkling with mirth."What..what is all this?" Bernice stuttered in her incredulity."It's a birthday party," Alexander said, proudly his face glow with a wide grin. "For Luca and Mia. I wanted to do something special for them and for you.""You did all this?" she breathed."Of course," he said as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "They deserve the best, and so do you."She cast a look around her, nearly overwhelmed by the depth that spoke in thought put behind the ges
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 68
"I have never been so perplexed in my whole life, Clara," Bernice said to her pacing the living room, running a hand through her hair. "He just laid it all out there, and now I do not know what to do."She leaned into the couch for support, cradling her coffee in the palm of her hand as she gave a sympathetic smile to her friend. "You are overthinking this, Bernice; he likes you, he likes your kids, and from what you've been telling me, he's been nothing but respectful and patient.""That's just it," returned Bernice whirling in front of the window, standing with her head out, staring outside riding on a storm of thoughts. "He is everything I can want from a man. But what if this is just too good to be true? What if this is setting me up for the second heartbreak?”She cracked, her eyebrow now wove higher. "You're setting yourself up for something good. You have gone through hell Bernice, but not every man is going to hurt you. Alexander seems like the real deal. Maybe it's time you t
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His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 108
Bernice grasped the wheel as if to hold it for dear life, the minute she pulled into Rafael's office parking lot. Today was supposed to be routine-quick, business-focused, in and out. Yet, for some reason, that old tension that always hung in the air where Rafael was concerned seemed to ratchet a notch higher today. She steeled herself and exhaled in an attempt to keep her cool through whatever new turn this meeting might take.She entered the office, heel to toe, clicking softly on shining marble floors, and prepared herself by silent rehearsals for yet another strained-for-civility professional encounter. But as she went into Rafael's office, what greeted her was not the now-familiar figure behind the large desk but the large, empty room: the leather chairs there, the mahogany desk stood as it ought. But without Rafael's presence, the room sounded silently unread, unfinished.Frowning around. Where was he? So engrossed in steeled words and curbed emotions, she was quite caught of
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 107
"Why are you being so hard, it doesn't have to be this way," Rafael was saying in a low tone as he relaxed back into his chair, the intensity pulling at her stomach. "We've shared… a lot more than just business, haven't we?"She met his gaze steadily, hiding the frustration bubbling just below the surface. "Rafael, please," she said calmly. "Why don't you get it and just stop making this harder than it already is."He huffed, his head tilting as if he was studying her. "You make it sound so cold. I'd hoped…” He let the silence hang a little too long."I'd hoped we might find a way back, somehow. Clear the air. If not now, then perhaps… over dinner?""I don't think that's such a good idea. I'd rather keep things professional," Bernice shot back.“Professional,” he repeated, a bite to his words as he leant forward almost scoffing. "Is that really the way you want to play this?"Bernice's fingers closed over the edge of the table. "It's how it needs to be, Rafael. You made your choices.
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 106
Alexander's head had whipped toward the hall the instant Ethan's cell phone had buzzed on the coffee table."Ah, I need to take this," Ethan muttered, snatching up his phone and moving toward the door. He turned back to Alexander, his brow furrowing briefly with suspicion. "Be right back."Take your time, Alexander said with a wave of his hand, even as he settled back into the couch in that same nod of the head, waited for the door to click shut behind Ethan before springing up himself in one swift second, his expression going from one of relaxation to one of focus in that same swift second.Here it was.Alexander padded down the narrow hall, his eyes flashing to either side into the rooms on both sides. Light of foot and keen-eyed, scanning for any sign that might hint at where the burner phone was. It would not be out in the open; Ethan was too careful for that. But a man could get sloppy when he thought he was safe, and Alexander had no intention of leaving without a closer look.
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 105
"Alexander, I have an update," Detective Marcus said, the sound of his voice crackling through the phone, the seriusness of his tone a prologue to the weight of the news he was about to deliver. "We figured out the phone used to contact the kidnappers."Alexander's hand tightened on the phone as he traversed the expanse of his study. "And?""It was a burner phone. Disposable. Untraceable beyond the initial purchase, but enough to confirm someone's trying hard to cover their tracks."Alexander exhaled low and narrowed his eyes. "So Ethan and Olivia think they can outsmart us. It only makes me sure they're hiding something."For a couple of seconds, Marcus didn't say another word, his voice low. "Be careful, Alexander. If they are in this, they are playing with fire already."Alexander's jaw clenched. "I know that, and that's just what makes me have to keep pushing. Thanks for the update, Marcus."As Alexander tucked the phone back into his pocket, he hung up the call. New determinatio
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 104
"Ethan," Alexander said, his tone silky, deliberate, as he sat down opposite him, easing his body into the leather chair with a casualness that didn't quite fit the discussion about to take place. "We don't get to sit down like this often. Thought it'd be nice to… change that."Ethan's eyes fluttered, shoulders guarded. "I didn't realize you were interested in spending time… outside of business."Alexander hunched his head forward and loosed a low husky laugh; the sound broke up in a relaxed clap of hands. "Business, business," he muttered wryly, flashing Ethan a sly smile. "Seems that's all I ever talk about these days. I figured you'd understand-the need to unwind a little."Ethan nodded shortly, eyes narrowed at Alexander guardedly. "I don't have many people I. trust, to put it mildly.”Alexander lifted an eyebrow; his face slackened just enough to show empathy. "Oh, I get that. I've heard enough about Rafael's dynamic relationships to understand loyalty is hard to come by around h
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 103
"Business, Rafael," Bernice's voice cut, keen as a knife, as she looked up from the table, her eyes like steel. "That's what we are here to discuss-the partnership. Nothing else."Rafael leaned back in his chair, one corner of his mouth tugging upwards in a smirk as his eyes lingered on her. "Oh, but Bernice," he said innocently, "you make it sound so. impersonal. We have history. Surely that entitles us to a bit of friendly conversation?"She didn't bat an eyelid. "This is a business meeting, not a reunion.”Rafael's head leaned in, but that smirk never faltered. "You always did know how to cut straight to the point." A soft clearing of a chuckle emitted from him at the rhythmic tap of his fingers against the table. "Can't deny that's something I missed about you."She bit back, choking down her urge to roll her eyes as her gaze fell onto the stack of documents in front of her. She was ready for this, knew all of Rafael's games. It didn't make a difference to being incensed over it.
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 102
"Tell me, Bernice," Rafael's tone was indolent, but his eyes flashed with something darker as he leaned back in his chair, never once looking away from her. "Are you really ready to work with me?"Bernice met his gaze, her eyes unflinching. "That depends. Are you?"A smirk played on his lips, his eyes masking their true expression. "You were always… amusing. I've missed that about you."She cocked her head to one side, undisturbed by his words. "I don't miss anything about you, Rafael."He chuckled low in his throat. "We'll see about that."Alexander stood across the room, his jaw clenched, while this all transpired. Every time Rafael so much as looked in Bernice's direction, his entire being bristled. He hadn't wanted her to agree to this, and every second she spent in Rafael's presence felt to him a willful and calculated attack on his own resolve.Bernice sailed through the conference in detached grace, her voice flat and professional, her face a mask of resolve. When Rafael ventur
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 101
"Rafael has agreed to the deal," Gabriel began, his voice cool, even, as he spoke to Alexander and then Bernice in the silence of the posh restaurant's private room. The next words to leave his lips, though, were laced with the weight of a complication neither could easily disregard. "On one condition—he wants to work directly with you, Bernice."Alexander's eyes narrowed and his hand tightened around the edge of the table. "Of course he does," he muttered, speaking low enough that his frustration did not escape.She sat silent, composed, her face unreadable. She had expected this move from Rafael; it was just the kind of strategic play she had anticipated. Rafael didn't want a simple business arrangement; he wanted an opportunity to draw her back into his orbit, to see if he could unsettle her."Is that all right with you, Ms. Bernice?" Gabriel asked as if he hadn't seen the clenching of Alexander's jaw or the way Bernice's fingers rested tautly upon her thighs.Alexander turned a s
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 100
Bernice shut the door of her hotel room, feeling this weird mix of triumph and something unsettling, like a ghost she thought she'd long since buried was whispering just behind her. She took a deep breath, leaning her head back against the door, replaying the events of the day in her mind-the meeting, Rafael's silent, searching gaze, and the way she had remained poised and unwavering. She'd hardly let herself look at him, hardly allow him to register as more than another face across the table.But of course, it wasn't that simple.She muttered to herself, as though the silence could be broken by firm resolve. "It doesn't matter anymore. None of it matters."But she knew it wasn't quite true. She could still remember the incredulous look that had crossed his face that night, the fire of his anger blazing in his eyes. And how he had cut her out of his life without a single question, without letting her explain what had happened. She didn't know today how that stranger had been in her
