Wedding My Ex’s Uncle

Chapter 56 Call Me ‘Lucien’

As she reached the corridor, she heard Kimberly’s cloying voice. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Lucien! I lost my balance and spilled coffee on your suit.”

“Let me clean it up for you,” Kimberly offered, her hand reaching toward the taut lines of Lucien’s frame, her heart

racing.

“No need,” he said curtly. “Also, we’re not that close. Don’t forget that.”

Kimberly faltered, stung by the disdain in his gaze, but she pressed on. “Well, Mr. Graves, could we be friends?”

“I didn’t mean to spill the coffee,” she added, inching closer, aiming to fall into his arms.

Lucien sidestepped swiftly, and Kimberly stumbled, crashing to

the floor with a thud.

“My apologies,” Lucien said, his tone tinged with impatience. “It’s your grandmother’s funeral today. Show some respect.”

With that, he turned and left.

Lucien wanted to find Kaia, to offer her some comfort. As he rounded a corner, he nearly bumped into her.

He licked his dry lips, his heart aching. Though Kaia seemed composed, he sensed the grief tearing her apart beneath the surface.

“You okay?” he asked softly.

nodded faintly. “I’m

step closer, gently patting

fine,” he said,

Graves, I…” Kaia’s voice cracked, words

her head

features softened with a rare warmth, his voice low. “Kaia, you don’t have to be

distance, Kimberly watched, her lips nearly bleeding

she

breath, venom in her voice. “That witch! She’s

breath, and brushed the last tears off her

now?” Lucien asked,

grin. “Getting there. I’m okay, Lucien,

done, Kaia.

tightened at the

studying her face. “So stop calling me ‘Mr. Graves.’ I’m

guard. Her mouth parted slightly. “Why?”

tilted his head. “Why

want me to call you

that sounds like I’m young. Seriously, Kaia. I mean it. Alden’s my

slow once-over, his gaze landing on how much weight she’d lost. “Say the word, Kaia. Whatever you want, name it. I’ll

an

said firmly, barely hiding

people would’ve picked up on the shift in his tone-but Kaia

her voice

forget what I