All Chapters of Seven Minutes with my Ex's Uncle : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Night came slowly, stretching across the sky like ink spilled over silk.Layla stood in front of her mirror, brushing out her hair after her shower, the faint scent of vanilla clinging to her skin. She had taken extra time freshening up—longer than necessary, if she was honest. A soft cream sweater slipped off one shoulder, paired with fitted shorts that showed just enough skin to make her feel bold.She told herself she wasn’t dressing for him but she checked her reflection three times.Downstairs, Titan padded around the living room, ears twitching at every sound outside. Layla sat at the edge of her bed, pretending to scroll through her phone.When she finally heard the deep, unmistakable sound of Elias’s car pulling into the driveway,her heart jumped.Without thinking, she tossed her phone aside and ran.She didn’t even bother to check how she looked. Barefoot, she flew down the stairs just as the front door opened.Elias stepped inside, loosening his tie with one hand, phone still

Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains in soft golden streaks, warming the quiet room.Layla stirred slowly.For a moment, she could finally remember where she was. The air smelled faintly of Elias’s cologne instead of her usual lavender spray and then everything came rushing back.Her eyes flew open while heat crept up her cheeks as flashes of the night replayed in her mind — the way she had been bold, the way she had looked at him without fear, the way she had chosen him.She buried her face halfway into the pillow, mortified and smiling at the same time.“Oh my God,” she whispered to herself.She shifted slightly — and winced while her hand felt sore.A deep, unfamiliar ache ran from her wrist down to her fingers. She stared at it for a second, flexing it carefully.The memory of why made her cheeks burn all over again.“I can’t believe I did that,” she muttered under her breath, half embarrassed, half proud.There was no regret,just disbelief at her own boldness.She turned sl

The words fell quietly between them but they carried weight.Layla blinked,not because she had expected him to say he loved her but because hearing him say he might never love her made something in her chest tighten.“I’m not asking you to,” she said after a moment.“I know.”His voice remained calm, but there was tension beneath it.“You deserve honesty,” he continued. “I don’t know where this leads. I don’t know what this will become.”He held her gaze steadily.“And I won’t lie to you by pretending I do.”Layla looked down briefly, absorbing that.It hurt a little,more than she expected but strangely… it didn’t make her want to leave.If anything, it made her want to stay.“That’s the rule?” she asked quietly.“Yes.”“That you might not love me.”“That I won’t promise.”She let out a small breath.“That’s fair.”Elias frowned slightly.“You’re taking that very easily.”Layla gave a faint smile.“I didn’t walk into this expecting a fairytale.”That answer made something in his chest t

The first thing Layla noticed when she woke was warmth,something solid wrapped around her.For a moment she stayed still, her mind slowly waking while her body remained comfortable in the quiet morning calm.Then she realized.Elias.His arm was draped around her waist, holding her close against him like it had been there all night.She didn’t move immediately,instead she blinked slowly, adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the tall windows.The room looked different in daylight.The dark tones of the furniture were clearer now, the charcoal bedding slightly rumpled from sleep. The city skyline beyond the glass windows glowed faintly with early morning sunlight.Everything felt calm,still and safe.Layla carefully tilted her head.Elias was still asleep and that alone surprised her.Yesterday he had looked like the kind of man who woke before the sun, already halfway through a workday before anyone else opened their eyes.Yet here he was,still asleep,still holding her.

Layla turned quickly and saw Elias standing in the door. Her heart jumped when she saw him. He stood in the doorway, one hand resting casually against the frame, but there was nothing casual about the way he was watching her.His expression was calm which meant he had definitely heard something.Layla slowly lowered her phone to her side.“How long have you been standing there?” she asked.Elias didn’t answer right away,instead, his eyes moved slowly over her,from her face…down to the oversized white shirt she was wearing.His shirt.The sleeves were rolled clumsily around her wrists, and the fabric hung loosely against her frame, brushing mid-thigh.Something flickered in his eyes but then he looked back up at her.“Long enough,” he said.Layla shifted her weight slightly.“That’s not an answer.”“It’s the one you’re getting.”She narrowed her eyes.“You were eavesdropping.”“No,you were speaking loudly.”“I was not.”Elias raised one eyebrow.“You were discussing your living situati