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.

done that. She

do you know you have plans? You

to get closer to him. Don't you

"I do..." Melody murmured.

she take Nyla to the auction to cheer her up. "But I still want

"Melody, let him accompany you. I really

change her mind. What Nyla had decided wouldn't

"Okay, then," Melody relented.

***

hadn't bought a birthday gift yet, so attending the jewelry auction

didn't want to

thanks. I'm not

are you still upset about what happened

me and him. It has nothing to do with

her response.

never been considered part of the family. In her eyes, the

are family," Gabriel insisted, his

paused before replying, "But we're

into a heavy silence, their breathing the only

on the verge of saying something but

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

then walked past her and