Wedding My Ex’s Uncle

Chapter 325 Epilogue: Kayla and Calvin XIV

Brenda had thought Damien was finally catching on, but his next words hit her like a cold splash of water. “Kayla picked it out at her shop. Said it’d suit you. Seems she was right–you like it, don’t you?”

Brenda’s face darkened, her mood souring in an instant. “You paid for it?”

Damien shot her a scowl. “What, you think I’d mooch off my own niece?”

Kayla had no clue that this one dress had upset Brenda so much that she stayed holed up in her room, too furious to come downstairs for a whole week.

*****

The boutique had hit its stride. For two months straight, customers kept coming, and some of the wealthier ones even spread the word, bringing in new faces.

It wasn’t a goldmine, but Kayla was over the moon. Truth be told, she was pulling in more cash than she ever had as an

actress.

One day, she gathered her family. “Mom, Dad, Mark,” she said, eyes sparkling with excitement, “I’m thinking of taking a trip. Probably gone for about two weeks.”

No one batted an eye.

Mark leaned in, curious. “Where are you headed? Want me to tag along?”

Kayla laughed, waving him off, “No way, Mark. I’m not a kid anymore. I don’t need a babysitter for everything.”

But to them, Kayla would always be their little girl, no matter how grown she was.

“I’m going to the Rockies this time,” she added with a grin. “Not too far. I’ll snap some awesome snowy mountain pics and toss them in our group chat.”

Mark, always the protective brother, mulled her words over a bit longer than their parents did.

“Kayla,” he said, squinting at her, “you’re not going on this trip with Calvin, are you?”

*****

Kayla

bought a full set

trip was hers alone–no one

the snow–dusted mountains, the rolling hills and layered peaks stretched out before her. Her heart swelled with

back in town, wracking his brain for

by Kayla’s shop, her business partner Amy gave

game was garbage today!” John grumbled,

a glance at the board, shaking his head. “That

a weak smile, his heart clearly not in

Kayla had gone–only that she

there were

leaving him completely

across from him. He pressed his lips together before speaking,

eyebrows flicked up, his sharp gaze locking onto Calvin. A knowing grin tugged at

recent distraction, his scattered focus, was all

lifted in an

where Kayla’s off

to pour him a fresh cup

the steaming mug, taking

Aren’t you worried about her out

someone to watch her back, right? Two’s better

wry smile creeping across his face. “You with

on you, and you’re… decent enough. Just don’t you dare let slip that I told you

on it. “Not a word. I swear. If she asks, I’ll say it was pure luck. I’d rather die

John leaned back and said, almost

was already on his phone,

Lewis, I’ve got

retreat, chuckling to himself and shaking

way

miss having a chess partner for a while. He should’ve made

by Calvin,

child, a top–tier university