On my twenty-third birthday, wine loosened my tongue, and I confessed to my guardian.
He did not pull away from my kiss.
But next morning, he sent me abroad with a cold command:
Erase that night.
Years later, I walked back into his world, a baby resting against my shoulder.
He went rigid.
Yours? he asked, voice barely steady.
I nodded, a slow, deliberate smile spreading.
Yes. We just finished her checkup.

Sitting on the plane, I still felt dazed.
I never thought that after five years abroad, I would have the chance to come back.
After all, Damian had said that in this lifetime, I'd better never appear in front of him again.
But it was also he who personally bought me a ticket back home, inviting me to attend his and Seraphina's wedding anniversary celebration.
After two layovers, I finally landed.
Uma had been sleeping peacefully on the plane, but once we got off, she started crying.
"Mommy, my feet hurt," she whimpered softly.
Hearing Uma's quiet sobs, I quickly picked her up and walked towards the exit.
At the arrival gate, I turned on my phone, ready to call a cab.
Just then, my phone rang.
Seeing the familiar number on the screen, I fell silent, unsure whether to answer or not.
In the end, I didn't pick up.
But a second call came through almost immediately.
I sighed and finally answered.
Damian's voice quickly came through.
After years without talking, his voice hadn't changed.
"Are you out of the airport? I sent an assistant to pick you up," Damian said in a businesslike manner, as if we were strangers.
I laughed bitterly, "I can get a cab myself."
There was silence for a second; Damian probably didn't expect me to say that.
After all, back then, I had been well taken care of by him. During my years by his side, all my needs were met - I never had to worry about transportation.
After a moment of silence, Damian spoke casually, "Let the assistant come anyway. I bought a gift for Seraphina on your behalf, it's in the trunk. You can bring it directly when you come for dinner."
Damian was still so thoughtful, considering even the gift situation perfectly.
Of course, when he spent millions on the venue and commissioned a limited edition diamond to create a unique wedding ring for Seraphina, it was clear how much he loved her.
"Alright," I said, rubbing my forehead and responding softly.
Damian didn't say anything more, but he didn't hang up either.
After a while, Damian finally spoke: "Elara, after five years abroad, I hope you've really reflected on things. If you do anything to Seraphina, I won't let you off easy."
Hearing this, I was stunned.
The noise around me seemed to fade away.
Damian said he wouldn't let me off easy.
Before I could respond, Damian had already hung up.
Actually, Damian could rest assured. I wouldn't do anything to them.
I just wanted to take good care of Uma and find a job.
As I left the airport, I lowered my head.
The proud 22-year-old me probably couldn't have imagined that my life would end up in such a miserable state.




I was sent abroad by Damian on my 22nd birthday.
That night, I got drunk for the first time in my life.
When I was young, my parents died in a cruise ship accident and never returned.
Damian naturally took over my care.
My relationship with him had always been harmonious.
Until I grew older and realized the feelings I had for him were no longer something a niece should have for her uncle.
I liked him.
But I also knew very clearly there was no future for us.
So I kept my emotions locked deep in my heart.
If I hadnt gotten drunk that night, I probably could have kept pretending nothing was wrong.
But I confessed.
Everything I had hidden slipped out between slurred breaths.
Damian heard it all.
The usually gentlemanly and refined Damian wasnt gentle anymore.
He grabbed my arm, his voice shaking with anger.
How could you say something so disgusting? Dont you know Im your uncle! Blood relation or notwe are only family!
I wanted to explain it was the alcohol, that I would forget it all tomorrow.
But at that moment, no explanation could fix anything.
All I could do was bow my head and apologize again and again.
Damian didnt calm down.
The next day, he resigned from the job I had lined up, and under the pretext of studying abroad, sent me to a remote university overseas.
He even hired bodyguards to monitor me, cutting off all contact with the outside world.
At first, I didnt understand why he treated me this way.
Until a month later, news of Damians marriage went viral.
Only then did I realize he had always loved someone else.
I watched the wedding video repeatedly.
When Damian looked at Seraphina, his gaze was gentle and full of love.
He had never looked at me that way.
From that moment on, I knew the years he kept me by his side were only out of responsibility and sympathy.
His only love was Seraphina.
Miss John, please get in the car, the assistants voice pulled me back to reality.



I nodded and got into the car with the sleeping Uma.