Real Heiress: Flash Marriage With Boyfriend's Uncle - Chapter 207

Chapter 207: Suffered the loss Chapter 207: Suffered the loss “Yes, I want you to heal first,” Layla said softly.

“But more than anything, I just want us to escape somewhere far away-someplace where no one can reach you or hurt you anymore.” Lucius gave her a small smile, shaking his head.

“She won’t come back,” he assured her despite the lingering unease in his eyes.

“Let’s stay here until I’ve fully recovered.

We don’t need to go anywhere just yet.” Reluctantly, Layla nodded.

“Alright,” she agreed though her gaze lingered on the horizon as if imagining the freedom she had hoped for them.

Lucius turned his attention to the bouquet in his hand as a memory surfaced.

“I remember the first time I bought a bouquet from the florist shop where you worked,” he said, his voice laced with fondness.

“You looked so adorable that day, standing behind the counter, completely focused on arranging flowers.

I couldn’t stop staring.” Layla’s cheeks flushed at his words, and she lowered her gaze shyly.

“I wonder,” she murmured, her voice barely audible, “how I must have looked to you that day.” “You looked beautiful,” Lucius replied without hesitation, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.

“Just like you always do.

Well, now, you have become prettier.” “You make me feel special,” Layla replied with a shy smile, her heart fluttering in her chest.

“It makes me happy.” She hesitated for a moment before adding, “I’ll freshen up, and then we can spend some time together.” “Alright,” Lucius said, his gaze following her as she made her way to the room.

The smile on his lips refused to fade, warmth spreading in his chest at her words.

Once alone, he turned toward the bouquet, carefully placing it in an empty vase he had found.

As he adjusted the flowers, his mind drifted to Matteo’s words.

“He was right,” Lucius murmured to himself.

“The day I found the right woman, I wouldn’t feel lonely or restless anymore.

And now, I know-I’ll protect her with everything I have.” Not long after, Layla emerged from the bathroom, her hair damp and her face freshly washed.

She patted her cheeks dry with a towel before tossing it aside.

Her blazer was gone, replaced by a simple white shirt tucked into loose white trousers that gave her an effortlessly graceful appearance.

“It’s lunchtime,” Layla said, tying her hair into a neat bun as she glanced at Lucius.

“Let’s head downstairs and eat.” As they stepped into the dining hall, Lucius and Layla found Alekis already seated at the head of the table.

His face lit up at the sight of them.

“You’re back early, Layla,” he remarked warmly.

“Yes, Father,” Layla replied with a polite smile.

“I only had one meeting today.” She gracefully took the seat Lucius pulled out for her, a quiet gesture that didn’t go unnoticed.

“I don’t see Sister Fiona.

Isn’t she joining us?” Alekis shook his head.

“Fiona stepped out just a while ago,” he explained, signaling to the servants to begin serving.

His gaze flicked briefly to Lucius, a question lingering in his eyes-had his son told Layla everything yet?

Before the unspoken question could hang any longer, Lucius spoke up.

“Dad, your birthday is in two days.

Should we throw a big party to celebrate?” Alekis waved off the suggestion with a small chuckle.

“Let’s keep it simple, just among family.

If Layla wants, she can invite her family too,” he added, his smile warm and inclusive.

As he picked up his knife and fork, a cheerful voice cut through the air.

“We’re having a big party for Grandpa’s birthday this year!” Roderick announced as he entered the dining hall, his face lit with a broad grin.

Layla’s expression immediately tightened at the sight of him.

She hadn’t expected Roderick to be there.

“I didn’t have much work today, so I came back early,” Roderick said casually, sliding into the chair beside Layla.

Layla’s gaze was cold as she turned to him.

“Sit next to your uncle,” she said flatly.

“I feel uncomfortable being around you.” Her words drained the color from Roderick’s face.

Humiliation replaced his earlier confidence, though she hadn’t explicitly mentioned it-her meaning was clear.

She was referring to how he had betrayed her trust.

“Rick, sit next to Lucius,” Alekis instructed, thus defusing the tension.

Jaw clenched, Roderick rose reluctantly and took the seat beside Lucius.

His cheerful demeanor was replaced with a simmering anger, his hand tightening around the edge of the table.

Lucius ate in silence, his gaze fixed on his plate, ignoring Roderick’s presence entirely.

Layla, however, couldn’t miss the tension between them.

Her sharp eyes shifted to Roderick, narrowing in suspicion.

He must have said something cruel to Lucius again.

Breaking the tense silence, Layla’s calm but firm voice cut through the room.

“I heard about what happened earlier this morning,” she began, immediately capturing the attention of the three men at the table.

Alekis paused mid-bite, Roderick stiffened, and even Lucius briefly glanced up, though his expression remained indifferent.

“Roderick informed me,” she continued, her gaze fixed on him, “through a particularly mean-spirited message.” Alekis’s eyes flicked to his grandson, disappointment evident on his face, while Lucius gave no reaction.

He had expected this-Roderick was always the first to twist events to his advantage.

Layla took a steadying breath before speaking again, her voice carrying a weight of emotion.

“There’s something I need to say today,” she declared, her tone unwavering.

“When I first received Lucius’s proposal, I’ll admit-I was scared.

I had heard the rumors about him, the whispers that painted him as someone a ruthless man.

But as time went on, I came to know the real Lucius.” Her eyes softened as she glanced at her husband.

“He’s the most caring person I’ve ever met-the most honest man, with a heart full of compassion.

It pains me to see people judge him unfairly, especially you, Roderick,” she said, turning her gaze back to him.

“I didn’t want to bring this up,” she continued, “but I have to-for the sake of my husband.

You hurt him with your words without knowing the truth.

That day, Lucius was in that car too.

You weren’t the only one who lost your father, but everyone around you suffered the loss.

Lucius also lost his brother, the man who was like a parent to him in the absence of his own mother and father.

So, stop blaming Lucius for that incident.”