All Chapters of After My Wedding Was Stolen, I Married Ex's Uncle: Chapter 171 - Chapter 180

Amelia’s POVJust like that, the fragile ease in my chest tightened into something sharp and painful.The tone of his voice—too casual, too familiar—stung harder than I wanted to admit.I froze in place. I should’ve walked into the kitchen, acted normal, minded my own business. But instead, I stayed half-hidden in the hallway, listening even though every part of me knew I shouldn’t."The gossip news?" Rowan muttered, his brow creasing. "No, I haven’t seen the gossip news. What are they saying now?"My curiosity overpowered my conscience, and I pulled out my phone.Big mistake.Social media was exploding. Article after article filled the screen:"ROWAN LANCASTER PROPOSES TO HIS EMPLOYEE IN BAR DOWNTOWN."The picture attached hit me like a punch. Rowan, bruised and drunk, kneeling in front of me in the bar. His head bowed. My hand gripping his arm.It looked exactly like a proposal.And the comments underneath?They were vicious."This slut again? Isn’t he engaged to Sienna?""The secr

Amelia’s POVGabriel didn’t even look at me when he walked through the lobby—just strode straight to the elevator like I wasn’t standing right there.I hurried after him. "Gabriel… hey," I said softly.Nothing. He didn’t even flick an eye in my direction.Great. Perfect. Exactly what I needed this morning.I stepped into the elevator beside him, the silence so thick it could’ve been chewed. Another man stood behind us, the only barrier preventing a full-blown emotional catastrophe.The elevator hummed for a few floors until the man stepped off, and the doors slid shut again. Leaving just the two of us.I inhaled. "Gabriel, I’m… sorry about last night."Still no response. His jaw worked, tight and furious."I know we were supposed to go on a date. And I know it must’ve been hard seeing me come home with—""Hard?" he exploded, whipping around to face me. "Try heart-shattering, Amelia. Don’t you know how I feel about you?!"His words hit me like a physical blow. I swallowed. "Gabriel… I

Amelia’s POVInside, Zara turned back and realized I wasn’t behind her. Her perfectly sculpted brows pulled together as she glided back toward the entrance in her shimmering gown."Why aren’t you coming?" she asked, then noticed the guard blocking me. She lifted her chin. "Excuse me? What seems to be the issue here?""This woman is not on the guest list," the guard replied, stone-faced.Zara blinked at him slowly, like she couldn’t believe the stupidity she was hearing. "Wasn’t it clear she was with me?"The guard faltered. "Oh… uh… well—""Let. Her. In." Zara ordered, voice sharp enough to cut glass."Yes, ma’am," he stammered, stepping aside.I exhaled shakily as she hooked her arm through mine and pulled me forward. "Thank you," I whispered. "Seriously—thank you. I owe you my life.""You owe me nothing," Zara said breezily. "Those piranhas out there would devour anyone if you don’t push back."As we walked further into the glittering reception hall, she glanced sideways at me. "But

Amelia’s POVI watched Rowan and Sienna walk off, her hand wrapped possessively around his arm, and something inside me just… shut. Like a door slamming. A lock turning. My heart sealed over, cold and final.God. Gabriel had been right. I’d been a fool—a world-class, award-winning fool—for letting Rowan back in.When I turned to Gabriel, he was wearing the smuggest expression I’d ever seen on a human being. Not furious anymore. Just… satisfied. Which somehow offended me even more."I’m trying really hard not to say ‘I told you so,’" he said, lips twitching like he was physically restraining the grin.I let out a sharp scoff. "You’re failing miserably.""I didn’t say I was succeeding," he replied, lifting an eyebrow.Before I could snap something back, Zara reappeared from chatting with a small cluster of film producers. "All right, darlings—what did I miss?" she asked, sliding gracefully into her seat.Gabriel and I exchanged a look. I exhaled. "Oh Zara… you have no idea."She lean

Rowan’s POVI shouldn’t have been listening. I knew it was low, pathetic even. But I did it anyway—leaning just close enough to hear Amelia and that smug bastard Gabriel whispering on the balcony."…tomorrow night… something special…" Gabriel said.Amelia’s soft laugh followed, and something inside me sliced open.They were making plans. Tomorrow night. Together.I forced myself back into the crowd before I could punch a hole through a wall.I stood beside Sienna as the auction continued, raising my paddle at random, bidding on whatever shiny nonsense she pointed at. Jewelry, art, a fucking antique vase she didn’t even bother to look at twice. I bought it all with the same half-dead expression. But my mind was nowhere near this ballroom.My mind was locked on Amelia.Of course she’d moved on.Of course she’d chosen Gabriel. Again.And yeah—I’d been an idiot for standing her up. I should’ve texted. I should’ve called. Hell, I should’ve run through the damn city barefoot if that’s what