All Chapters of His uncle's sweetheart : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

The ride back to the apartment was dead silent, tension hanging thick in the air. Bernice's mind reeled with what to say-how could she explain all this? She had this dread inside her, knowing this might just be it, where everything fell apart between them.No sooner were they inside than Rafael whirled to her; his face was grave. "You don't have to say anything, Bernice. I know.Bernice widened her eyes in surprise. "What? "Ethan's my nephew, I know how he can be when he wants to get back at someone," Rafael said, his tone even but a thread of anger underscoring it. "He wanted me to doubt you, to push you away. But for some reason ,I knew he was lying."Bernice's heart stuttered in her chest. "Why didn't you say anything?"Rafael leaned back an inch or so to peer at her. "Let's just forget about Ethan tonight, and let's focus on us. We've been through enough."Bernice nodded, her lips curling into a faint smile. "I'd like that."Bernice stared out the window and smiled, the street li

“You're putting Bernice in charge of the wedding?” Olivia's voice barely concealed her frustration as she aimed at Rafael, trying to keep her emotions in check. They were in Rafael's large living room, where they had just taken a unanimous decision. Olivia would have liked for Rafael to foot the bill without Bernice's help but things went from bad to worse.Rafael leaned back on his chair, his face holding an inscrutable look almost devoid of emotion as he assessed Olivia. “Yeah, Bernice will be doing the wedding preparations. She's got a good eye for these things, and I'm paying for it so her call works out.” Instant discomfort washed over Ethan, who was sitting next to Olivia. He could feel the tension among the women and had no interest in falling victim to friendly fire. He also knew that disagreeing with Rafael was not an option if he wanted to remain in the good books of his uncle. “That is kind of you, uncle,” he said as earnestly as possible. "We appreciate it."Bernice rem

As Olivia sat with the wedding planner, she was fidgeting in her chair. Her anger was right under her skin, still steaming over from yesterday. Every few minutes she looked at the door, hoping Bernice would arrive soon.Mrs. Davis, the wedding planner, smiled sympathetically at Olivia. It's okay, we will find something for you today. This is your day, after all.”Her smile was faint and didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I just want something that resonates with me, not just what others think I need." Mrs. Davis Bobbed her head and looked sympathetic. “I am going to try my best to help you with that," she said.A couple of seconds later a black, high-end car pulled up. Olivia felt her heart clench as she saw the driver get out and open a back door with an elaborate bow. Bernice emerged from the car and immediately began to fill the place with her commanding presence even before stepping inside.“Good morning, ladies “ Bernice minced over to them, all honey-voiced with a twinge that made O

"We're running out of time, Olivia," Ethan muttered, pacing the length of the room. His footsteps on the spotless marble floor of the wedding planner's office echoed off it, with tension evident in his movement.Olivia sat calmly on one of the plush chairs, flipping through a booklet of flower arrangements. "Relax, Ethan. We have everything under control.""Under control?" Ethan stopped mid-step and turned to face her. "Bernice is practically breathing down our necks, and you're acting like everything's just fine."Olivia didn't look up. "Ethan, we have been through worse, haven't we? Besides, Bernice is harmless. She is just trying to assert herself because she's jealous.""Jealous?" Ethan mocked. "She's more than that, Olivia. You know it. Not jealous, but she's trying to sabotage this wedding. It just feels like she does everything on purpose, to make things a hundred times harder.Olivia's lips twitched upwards into a small smile as she finally looked up. "Well, that's just exactl

"Bernice, please, join us on stage!" Olivia's voice rang out clear and sweet though the subtle edge in her tone was unmistakable.Applause exploded in the room; all heads turned to the front row seats where Bernice and Rafael were seated. Her heart clipped a beat as her fingers involuntarily strangled the champagne flute. She turned sideways to Rafael, who grinned- its ignition systems already fired halfway out of his seat- oblivious to the cauldron churning under her skin."Come on, honey," he said, extending his hand to Bernice. "They're honoring us.Bernice hesitated, the little voice in her head yelling this was all wrong. She could feel Olivia's gaze on her, that false smile pasted on her face. Yet what was she to do? To refuse to go up there would simply raise more eyebrows. Giving a taut smile, Bernice placed her hand in Rafael's and stood, her heart racing in her chest."Thanks, Olivia," boomed Rafael as they approached the stage, his voice carrying across the hall. "You peopl