Wedding My Ex’s Uncle

Chapter 229 Every Year Then

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When Lucien’s gaze landed on her–steady, unshaken–Kaia felt an unexpected wave of calm wash over her.

“Here,” he said gently, “just relax. Take your time getting your posture right. Keep your toes steady.”

There was something about his voice–low, reassuring, magnetic.

In that moment, all Kaia wanted was to let herself fall completely, to stop holding back.

“Now slowly let go of the rope,” Lucien added. “Don’t worry about anything else, honey. Just keep your eyes on me.”

Little by little, Kaia’s heartbeat settled. She loosened her grip, the wind rushing past her ears, the sharp scent of salt in the air.

For the first time, freedom felt real–something she could touch, taste, breathe,

They surfed until the sun melted into the horizon,

When they finally came to shore, Kaia was beaming,

“I’m definitely coming back tomorrow,” she said, clapping her hands in delight.

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12:05

Chapter 229 Every Year Then

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“I didn’t think surfing would be this fun. Did you do this a lot when you were overseas?”

Lucien nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“Yeah. When I’m out there, it’s like the waves just carry everything away. All the noise, the pressure… gone.”

He chuckled quietly, his thumb trailing along the edge of his board. Those were the years he spent longing for her–close in heart, but always just out of reach.

Back on shore, Kaia finally picked up her phone.

“Huh. That’s weird,” she muttered. “I texted Alyssa around noon, and she still hasn’t replied.”

Lucien shrugged. “Maybe they’re out having fun too.”

He wasn’t the least bit worried.

After all, it’s not like Landon was going to lose Alyssa.

And Landon? He had no plans of losing her–he was far too busy wearing her out in bed,

That evening, instead of heading back to their room, Lucien pulled Kaia onto a beach chair with him.

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12:06

229 Every Year

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staring up at the night sky. The stars glittered above them, brilliant and endless. Kaia reached

let’s come here every

noise from the city. Kaia felt like she had been running toward some

about anything. She could finally slow down and just enjoy

voice filled with unmistakable tenderness. He loved the sound of the words “every year“, and he felt like he could keep bringing

turned her

you always say yes to me? Why are you so

already knew the answer

they got married, Lucien rarely said the words “I

he didn’t

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Every

decision, every quiet moment–they all spoke louder than words

it was because Kaia

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exactly what it felt like to

reason, she didn’t dare to

would all turn out to be one big

it was just

own, with no one there to catch

was to get an answer, Lucien glanced

voice carried a trace of careful

soft to notice.

smiled, slow and sure, not the

rose I once liked… she’s all

229 Every Year

skipped a

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her eyes fixed on his face so close to hers, feeling as if an invisible thread gave her heart a gentle tug and sent a shiver

as she asked, “When

“The first time

took the air right out of

How could

when Claire was still alive, the Graves and Domont

almost always Kimberly whom Tobias brought to Graves Manor. Kaia? She’d always felt like

far back as Kaia could remember, the first time

looked at him in disbelief. “How could it have

time, Lucien didn’t

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12:06

Every

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he said, “It’s late, honey.

was clearly dodging the question, and Kaia narrowed her eyes at

If he didn’t want to talk, she

*****