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Chapter 9
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His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 10
"Ethan, you're delusional."Rafael's tone was scornful as he rolled his eyes away, rocking back in his chair with a glass of whiskey clutched between fingers. Ethan sat across from him. Animosity stretched across the table from him. The room was black and the fire dancing in the fireplace threw undulating shadows across the walls."It's not a delusion," Ethan persisted, his voice measured but razor-edged. "I've seen the way she looks at him, the way they interact. Bernice isn't loyal to you, Rafael. She's using you."Rafael's jaw flexed, but he didn't speak right away. He swirled the whiskey around his glass. His narrowed eyes considered Ethan's words. "And you're telling me this out of the kindness of your heart?"His body tipped forward, his eyes locked onto Ethan's. "I'm telling you this because you deserve to know the truth. You don't care about Bernice, but you care about your reputation. You really want to be that fool whom everybody is laughing at behind closed doors?"His eyes
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 11
"Thanks for the ride, Liam," Bernice said, finally outside the car and offering him a gracious, warm smile."Anytime, Bernice," Liam told her, his eyes loitering a bit on her for one last moment before he nodded. "Take care of yourself, okay?”She nodded and waved after him as he pulled away. It had been nice, just a quiet dinner with Liam and talking about life. She did feel a little lighter, but strange unease had settled in her chest as she made her way up the drive to the house she shared with Rafael.A cold draft hit Bernice in the face as she pushed open the front door. The only sound in the house was that of the refrigerator. She stepped inside, then stopped to listen to the thudding of her heart, waiting for Rafael's voice to call her name, but there was nothing."Rafael?" she called, peering across the semifull/dim living room. She could make out his outline sitting on the couch, staring at a blank television screen. "Rafael, I'm back."He didn't move, didn't even turn in the
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 12
"Where is Rafael?" Bernice demanded, tones quivering with anger and desperation, as she finally turned to face him. Indeed, she had not even bothered blotting the tears still staining her cheeks. "I'm not signing anything until I see him."Ethan's face remained ice, unconvinced by the rebellious act. There he stood, aloof, gazing at her, as he had a few minutes earlier-with his hand clutched to the divorce papers. "Bernice, this is no subject for discussion. Rafael does not wish to see you; he has decided.".Bernice shook her head, unreceptive. "Then he can come and tell me that himself," she returned. "I deserve to hear it from him. If he wants me out of this house, then he'll have to look me square in the eye and tell me why."Ethan squared his jaw, ticking his face in frustration for a second. "You're making everything way harder than it has to be," he threatened, coming nearer in a low, dangerous tone.Bernice didn't twitch. "No," she said firmly, tightly securing her face with he
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 13
"What are you still doing here?" Rafael asked, finally pent-up irritation to boil over as he moved into the living room; he had been hoping that by now Bernice would have packed up her things and made her exit quietly. Here she was, though, right in the middle of his living room, still defiant and unbowed.The sight of her rejuvenated his anger all anew. He could look at her, and all that stared back was betrayal—acting out what she had been doing all this while. And worse still, he saw how blind he was to it all."I cannot do this." Bernice's voice quivered as her eyes stuck to the divorce papers lying before her, splayed on the desk. Her fingers trembled to try and hold the pen steady in her hand, which felt like it weighed a ton.She sat down in her room, surrounded by heavy silence, her thoughts racing. All would be renounced: her marriage to Rafael, her plan of revenge, above all—her dignity. She almost heard mocking laughter from Ethan and saw a smug look on Olivia's face while
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 14
"I saw you," he said, with a betrayed look in his eyes. "In the restaurant. With that man. You were smiling at him, laughing with him like… like I didn't even exist."Her eyes widened in surprise. How was he able to know this secret? "Are you saying I'm having an affair with someone else?" Bernice voiced out angrily; her eyes slanted, pinched, staring at him.Rafael's heart thumped against his chest as his consciousness seized at the realization of what he said. He had just unmasked himself and given her a glimpse of what he tried to hold off, leaving him standing there completely vulnerable, far more than before. “Stop acting all innocent like you don't know what I am talking about."I didn't cheat on you, Raf". Her eyes looked like she was about to tear up. "It just feels like you have already laid the sentencing in your mind".Rafael said nothing back. His throat strangled with effort as he kept trying to get the right words to say. He had been so clear and determined to leave th
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 15
"Ethan, here are the papers you wanted," Ethan strode powerfully into Rafael's office with a folder of papers. His totally professional businesslike manner may have been intact but out of those eyes, there was something about Rafael which set Ethan's teeth on edge.He was gathering up his papers on the desk, glancing back toward Ethan as their eyes met. That twisted-knife feeling hit him full force, as fast as he pushed the emotion aside. He reached for the documents, flipping with a practiced eye through them. "Thanks," he said curtly enough without looking up.Ethan had slouched at the edge of the desk, an easy pose, but his eyes seemed as sharp as razors. "How's that investment deal coming along?" he asked, light in tone.Rafael didn't raise his gaze from the papers before him. "It's good. Just ironing out a few wrinkles before moving forward."Ethan nodded again, but this time forced some interest into the action. "Good to hear. You have always been good at closing deals."Rafael
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 16
Ethan left the office, letting the door swing shut behind him as he strode on down the hall, a barely subvocalized smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Dinner tonight huh? His mind whirled noiselessly. But he'd be stupid- no, beyond stupid to let his defenses down just because he finally saw a small chink in Rafael's armor. The invitation itself had been a surprise if not suspicious. But Ethan was not the man to refuse a challenge, at least under such high stakes.And it tugged at something deep within—one part anticipation, another unease: dinner with Rafael and Bernice. Actually, he had been playing a very long game, one of diligent tactics working toward weaving his own threads that finally were to bring Bernice down and put him in with Rafael. This night could be the turning point, but only if he played his cards right.He left the building, heading for his car, as anticipations of the night overwhelmed the weariness from making inroads in the thinking process. As he drov
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 17
"You've got it all wrong, Rafael," said Liam with a very slightly smirking expression as he leans back in his chair.The late afternoon sun diffused to a golden glow that now bathed Rafael's study, the two men seated there facing one another. A vastly colorful contrast to his entry.Rafael's arms crossed and he looked war on him. "Wrong? I saw you with Bernice, Liam. You can't tell me that wasn't something."Liam only laughed, shaking his head'. "Oh, I'm not denying we were together. But it's not what you think." He reaches into his pocket, then pulls out his phone. "Here, take a look at these."He took the phone gingerly when Liam offered it to him, his other arm still tense on his chest, fingers curled a bit, as if he might snatch it away. He glared suspiciously at the pictures running across the screen, squinting a little to try and get through the information. One picture showed Liam and a nice-looking lady, both wide-smiling at the camera. One of them showed them holding a baby
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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
