Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 238

Chapter 238: Healing a Childhood Wound
Logan tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. “Answer the phone.”

James’ voice sounded a little nervous on the phone.

“Mr. Reid, Angelica mentioned you might be attending her birthday banquet, and I just wanted to…”

“What about it?”

James swallowed hard, flustered.

“N-no, nothing! I thought maybe Angelica had misunderstood, but if it’s true—Mr. Reid, the entire Clark Family would be honored to have you!”

Jack, standing nearby, rolled his eyes.

Of course they’re thrilled.

If Logan showed up to Angelica’s birthday, the entire City A would be shaken. The Clark Family thought they’d finally latched onto a powerful backer—of course they’d be kissing up.

Logan’s tone remained indifferent.

“How are the preparations coming?”

James, misinterpreting his question as concern for Angelica, grew even more enthusiastic.

“Don’t worry at all! Angelica’s birthdays are always a grand affair—we’re putting everything into it.”

Logan caught the implication—everything was about Angelica.

He let out a cold, mocking laugh.

“A grand affair? So the whole city will know?”

James didn’t expect Logan to press the issue and flushed with excitement.

“Of course! Angelica might not be our biological daughter, but I’ve raised her like my own. She deserves the very best!”

Logan let out a quiet “Mm,” then hung up coldly.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be there—in person.”

At the Clark Family Estate

James beamed with pride.

“Mr. Reid said it himself—he’ll be at the party!”

Angelica gave a shy, modest smile.

“Mom, Uncle Clark, see? I wasn’t making it up.”

James could hardly contain his joy.

“Angelica, you’re the pride of our family! You’re our future. If you could become Mrs. Reid one day, that would be even better!”

Angelica basked in the praise.

“Oh, Uncle Clark, don’t exaggerate. Logan and I are just friends. It’s just… he’s taking my birthday seriously this year. Mom…”

Katie, whose reputation had suffered after taking the fall for Angelica, had been seen as a liability. But the moment Angelica brought her up—

“Of course Katie will be there!” James promised.

“It’s your birthday, after all.”

Angelica smiled at Natalia.

“That’s great. Oh, Uncle Clark, do you think Selina will come too? I really want a complete birthday celebration. Selina’s still family—how could she not be there?”

At this point, whatever Angelica said, James would agree to.

“I’ll call her right now!”

The phone rang a few times before Selina picked up.

James, full of fake authority, said:

“Angelica’s birthday is coming up. She’s kind enough to invite you. Don’t be late!”

Selina let out a laugh.

“Sure. I’ll be there.”

There was something about the way she said “sure” that made James pause—it felt… off. But the excitement clouded his judgment, and he brushed it aside.

“Angelica, Selina agreed! Get ready. Uncle Clark’s going to make sure you’re the most admired socialite in all of City A!”

Angelica nodded sweetly.

Around the Clark Family estate, the maids whispered to one another in awe.

“Miss Angelica’s birthday is coming up… the preparations are huge.”

“By the way, do any of you know when the eldest Miss’s birthday is? Mr. Clark throws parties for Miss Angelica and even Natalia—but never for the eldest…”

“Shhh! Selina was kicked out. She’s no longer the eldest anything. She doesn’t deserve to be compared to Miss Angelica.”

Selina ended the call, unsurprised.

“Angelica couldn’t wait to rub it in my face.”

Damien took a sip of tea.

“Judging by Logan’s attitude, I’d say the happier the Clark Family is now… the harder they’re going to crash on that birthday.”

Selina grinned mischievously.

“By the way, Damien, I’m planning to move back to Sapphire Valley Villa.”

Damien raised an eyebrow.

“He already won you over?”

Selina quickly defended herself, “No! I just sleep better there. I’ve gotten used to it. It has nothing to do with him.”

Damien sighed like a father watching his daughter slip away.

“well… a grown woman’s heart can’t be kept at home.”

…

A few days later.

December 29th arrived.

Just before the new year, the biggest buzz in City A wasn’t about the holidays—but about Angelica’s birthday.

The Clark Group went all out this time. The entire estate was renovated, an outdoor banquet area was set up, and invitations were sent to every notable figure in City A.

At midnight, Selina’s phone buzzed twice.

A wave of birthday wishes had arrived.

She replied to them one by one, saving one message for last—Logan’s.

[Look outside.]

Look outside? At what?

Selina instinctively walked to the balcony—

Suddenly, boom!—a firework lit up the sky right in front of her.

Then more followed. A dazzling firework show erupted before her eyes.

But these weren’t just any fireworks. They were custom-made.

As they burst into the sky, they spelled out words—

Happy Birthday.

Every birthday from now on, I’ll be with you.

Then hundreds of drones flew across the night sky, forming glowing images and heartfelt messages. Screens lit up across the city’s buildings, all displaying the same thing:

A birthday celebration—for someone special.

Passersby were stunned.

“Whose birthday is this? That must’ve cost a fortune…”

“Happy Birthday to Miss Clark? Clark? Must be Angelica?”

“Oh yeah, today’s her birthday. But who spent all that money? The Clark Family?”

“No, no—I’m betting it was Mr. Reid!”

…

Selina stood on the balcony, completely frozen as the show ended.

She didn’t move. Her eyes blinked slowly, and something warm and wet slid down her cheek.

Her phone was ringing nonstop—

To outsiders, it looked like Logan had just given Angelica the most over-the-top birthday gift of the year.

But those who knew… knew better.

This was clearly a surprise prepared for Logan’s wife.

…

“It’s cold out. Come inside.”

Logan opened the balcony door. Only then did Selina realize she was in just one layer of clothing, shivering from the wind.

Back inside, Logan suddenly placed a small box into her hands.

Selina looked at it, puzzled. “What’s this?”

“A gift.”

“And… the thing outside?”

Logan’s eyes gleamed. “Who says you can’t give two birthday presents?”

Selina raised her brows, surprised and curious.

Logan had prepared her a present? What could it be?

She opened the box—and gasped.

“A… tiny crown?”

Years ago, she’d received a birthday gift just like it.

When she was seven, back when Grandpa Clark wasn’t as blatantly biased, she and Angelica had celebrated together. They each got the same small crown.

But Angelica broke hers—and then took hers too.

The whole family told her she should be generous, that a crown was “just a thing.” That a child without a mother would naturally be ill-mannered if she didn’t know how to share.

After that, Selina stopped expecting birthday gifts entirely.

She never thought Logan would give her back the crown she lost at seven.

His voice was calm, like it was no big deal.

“Starting from your seventh birthday, I’ll make up for every year you missed.”

Selina’s heart skipped.

“Logan,” she said softly, “lower your head for a second.”

Logan raised an eyebrow, confused.

But he leaned down as she asked, their eyes now at the same level.

“Yes, Mrs. Reid? What is i—”

Before he could finish, her lips gently touched the corner of his eye.

“Logan,” she whispered, “we’re back together.”

After two long weeks… she was finally coaxed back into his arms.

Logan traced her wrist with his thumb, trying to calm the heat in his chest. His voice was hoarse, laced with emotion.

“Little troublemaker… you made me wait two weeks. I think I deserve some interest.”

“What interest? I—mmph!”

Selina was suddenly swept up and tossed onto the soft bed.