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. She shook her head. "No, I have

you know you have plans? You don't want

use this opportunity to get closer

"I do..." Melody murmured.

had mentioned earlier that morning that Nyla was feeling down and suggested she take Nyla to the auction to cheer her up. "But

"Melody, let him

knew she wouldn't change her mind. What Nyla had decided

"Okay, then," Melody relented.

***

hand. She hadn't bought a birthday gift

didn't want to feel obligated

not interested,

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

met his gaze calmly. "This is between me and

by her response.

the family. In her eyes, the three of

mel To me, you are family," Gabriel insisted,

replying, "But we're not destined to

into a heavy silence, their breathing the

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

and said, "I know you don't want any contact with me. I'll give the invitation to Melody.

then walked past her