Trading My Ex for His Uncle by Hello Spring

Nyla glanced at the invitation in Gabriel's hand. She hadn't bought a birthday gift yet, so attending the jewelry auction could be a nice alternative. However, she didn't want to feel obligated to him.

"No, thanks. I'm not interested," she declined.

Gabriel looked a bit helpless. "Nyla, are you still upset about what happened with your dad?"

Nyla met his gaze calmly. "This is between me and him. It has nothing to do with you."

Gabriel seemed hurt by her response. "But we're family!"

"To your mom, I've never been considered part of the family. In her eyes, the three of you are the family," Nyla retorted.

"She's her, and I'm me! To me, you are family," Gabriel insisted, his expression earnest and passionate.

Nyla paused before replying, "But we're not destined to be a family."

The hallway fell into a heavy silence, their breathing the only sound breaking it.

Gabriel's emotions flickered in his eyes. He seemed on the verge of saying something but then composed himself.

As if nothing had happened, he looked down and said, "I know you don't want any contact with me. I'll give the invitation to Melody. If you're interested, you can go with her." He then walked past her and left.

The next morning, as soon as Nyla entered the lab, Melody approached her.

"Nyla, your brother gave me two tickets to a jewelry auction this morning. Do you want to go with me?" Melody asked.

that Gabriel had actually done that. She shook her head. "No, I have other

you have plans? You don't want to go with me, do

just that you could use this opportunity to get closer to him.

"I do..." Melody murmured.

her eyes. Gabriel had mentioned earlier that morning that Nyla was feeling down and suggested she take Nyla to the auction to cheer her up. "But I still want to go with you.

ultimately refused, "Melody, let him accompany you.

change her mind. What Nyla had

"Okay, then," Melody relented.

***

at the invitation in Gathie's hand. She hadn't bought a birthday gift

to feel obligated

not interested, she

bit helpless. "Nya, are you still upset about what happened with

between me and him. It has nothing to do with

her response. "But we're

mom, I've never been considered part of the family. In her

are family," Gabriel

replying, "But we're not destined to

a heavy silence, their

in his eyes. He seemed on the verge of saying something but then composed

if nothing had happened, he looked down and said, "I know you don't want any contact

past her