บททั้งหมดของ Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time: บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 60

Somehow—somehow—I managed to get ready in time and make it to the front door where Alaric was already waiting. He was leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, looking like he hadn’t just put me through hell a few hours ago.When he saw me, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. He hadn’t expected me to be on time. Neither did I, honestly.But instead of teasing me, he simply nodded in approval and—wait, was that a smile? A real, genuine smile?I blinked.Since we started training, he had been all sharp orders and cold discipline, locked into his soldier persona. But now, standing here, he seemed softer. More relaxed. Like the Alaric from before—before he decided to become my personal drill sergeant."How are you doing?" he asked.I was still annoyed with him, so I gave him a curt, "Fine," before turning to face the window.He didn’t press further.Good.-----------If I thought getting out of bed was bad, getting through the workday was pure agony.Every step felt like walkin

The next day, I was determined to be ready. I had set my alarm for 4:15 am, giving myself plenty of time to wake up and get changed before Alaric showed up. It was a struggle to drag myself out of bed, but I was determined to prove I could do this.When he knocked, I swung the door open and announced, "I’m ready." He just gave me a quick nod, as if he expected nothing less, and walked straight toward the door. His commanding presence took over, and it hit me—he had expected me to be ready. Ugh, I had mentally prepared myself for his stoicness, but it still stung. I wanted to surprise him.The training that followed felt like a full-on assault. After half an hour of running—my legs screaming for mercy—we moved straight to the weights. I pumped iron like I was training for war, and I was the only hope this country had for survival. Every rep felt like my body was about to break, but I didn’t let out a single complaint. Not even when Alaric told me to take the stairs to our floor instead

"Hey, hey!" Ciara protests, laughing as I practically drag her toward the elevator. "Slow down! What is going on?"I don’t stop. Not until we’re inside the elevator, and I jab the button for the ground floor like it personally offended me. Only then do I let out a breath, my pulse still racing from what just happened.Ciara crosses her arms, eyeing me expectantly. "Okay, now will you tell me what that was all about? I had wanted to say hi to Alaric, but you dragged me out like a crazy person."I hesitate, but there’s no point in hiding it. She’d wear it out of me eventually.So, I tell her.I tell her about how I walked straight into Alaric, how he caught me, and how he looked at me like that—like he actually saw me for the first time. How his hand brushed my face, how he murmured that he liked my hair down, how he had almost kissed me.Ciara’s reaction is immediate.Her entire face lights up like a kid on Christmas morning. "You two like each other!" she squeals, practically bouncing

"Miss Ashford, duh!" Ciara grinned widely, clearly still riding the high of the encounter. "Eleanor Ashford. She’s the only daughter of one of the oldest and most aristocratic families in the capital. They’re close to the Sinclair family—close to Alaric’s family."My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Alaric’s name. So Miss Ashford—Eleanor—was somehow connected to him. How? I tried to shake off the thought as quickly as it came."Wow," I murmured, still processing everything. "She’s so... cool.""I know, right?" Ciara replied, her enthusiasm contagious. "But most importantly, we have your dress, and I’m starving. We need to eat!" She gestured toward the exit as if it were the most important thing in the world right now.Before we left, the saleswoman who had been attending to us earlier apologised again, handing both of us a sleek black card. The words Premium Lux Member were embossed in gold on the front."Wow," Ciara whispered, looking at the card in my hand, feeling a mix of aw

The moment we arrived at the venue, I knew grand was an understatement.The Sinclair Charity Ball was held at the most exclusive event hall in the capital—a place Ciara said rarely opened its doors except for occasions of the highest prestige. The exterior was a masterpiece of classical architecture, its towering pillars bathed in golden light, reflecting off the polished marble steps leading to the entrance. Luxury cars lined the curved driveway, each one more extravagant than the last, with valet attendants dressed in crisp black and white uniforms ushering guests inside.As we approached the entrance, chandeliers glowed warmly through the massive arched windows, casting golden ripples of light onto the pavement. The sound of laughter and classical music hummed in the background, a blend of sophistication and old money.The moment Alaric and I stepped through the grand double doors, all movement in the room seemed to pause.The venue itself was nothing short of breathtaking. The vas