Real Heiress: Flash Marriage With Boyfriend's Uncle - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Layla likes you a lot!

The dance ended gracefully, and Layla couldn’t believe how well she had danced. The real reason, she realized, was her complete trust in Lucius. As the wedding reception began, she was introduced to the guests—most of whom were influential businessmen connected to the De Salvo family.

“Your daughter has completely forgotten we exist,” Miriam muttered to her husband in irritation. “I think we should leave. I’m not here to endure this humiliation,” she added sharply.

“Darling, remember why we’re here. We need to ensure Layla isn’t angry with us anymore. Just bear it for a little longer. If we leave now, people might start gossiping,” Darius cautioned her, trying to calm her down.

He glanced around the room, frowning. “Where’s Orabela? She shouldn’t be wandering around alone.”

“Bella went to the restroom,” Miriam replied with a sigh.

Darius nodded thoughtfully. “We need to make sure Layla understands everything today. If we have to apologize, then so be it,” he said. Miriam sighed again but nodded in agreement.

Layla finally glanced at them from afar. However, she didn’t spot her mother, Seraphina and her half-sister, Orabela around.

Since Lucius was busy in the conversation, Layla slipped away without his notice and walked to the table where her family was present.

“Layla, dear!” Darius left his seat and hugged her as he patted her head. But she didn’t hug her father back. Miriam left her seat too and wore a tiny smile on her lips.

As Darius pulled away, Miriam hugged her. And Layla did the same with her. She remembered the day they wedded her off, none of them hugged her. They just wanted to send her away from their lives.

“You are looking beautiful, Layla,” Miriam said.

“Why don’t we drop this fake praises toward me? Where is Orabela and Mom? I thought those two would come here to beg my forgiveness,” Layla remarked, not carrying an ounce of humbleness in her tone.

“Layla, we did wrong. Forgive us,” Darius apologized.

Layla chuckled to hear her father’s apology. “That doesn’t sound sincere to me,” she said.

“Layla, we gave you everything. From food to roof to education. We even married you off to such a nice man, who is ready to support you. Are you going to neglect the part where this family did everything for you? In which family differences don’t exist? But you don’t trouble your family in that way. Just forget everything that happened in the past and let’s look forward to the bright future,” Miriam said this time while hoping for a positive response from her.

Layla couldn’t believe their audacity. Now that they were feeling troubled, they wanted her to simply forget everything—the injustices and pain she endured in that house.

“I will—if Dad declares me the heiress of the Rosenzweig Family,” Layla announced, her voice steady but firm.

“What?” Miriam’s eyes widened in shock, while Darius’s face turned pale.

“Dad can’t do that, right?” Layla challenged, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “Well then, I can’t do anything either. I will make sure you all remember the pain I’ve gone through. Be sure to have your meals before leaving. I wouldn’t want my family to go home on an empty stomach.”

Her words were sharp, but her tone was almost cordial. “And if you both will excuse me, I have more guests to greet,” she concluded before walking away, leaving her parents stunned.

As Layla weaved through the crowd, she felt a surge of satisfaction at finally speaking her mind. But beneath that satisfaction was a deep, aching hurt. Her father was selfish. He couldn’t bear to see Orabela suffer for a moment, yet he remained silent through years of mistreatment toward Layla. How could the same father be so biased? Tears threatened to spill from her eyes when a waiter appeared before her.

“Madam, would you like a drink?” the waiter offered politely, holding out a tray with several glasses of champagne.

Layla reached for a glass, desperate to numb the pain swelling inside her. But just as she lifted it to her lips, a hand intercepted hers and took the glass away. It was Lucius. Without a word, he downed the drink himself and set the empty glass back on the tray.

“You can’t drink tonight,” he murmured softly, his breath brushing against her lips. His thumb gently wiped away the tears that had escaped with his tender and comforting touch.

“Your good friend Ruby is here,” Lucius informed her.

Layla’s eyes lit up with excitement, and she quickly walked with Lucius to find Ruby. As they reached the entrance, she spotted her friend standing there, holding a beautiful bouquet and a large gift box.

“Layla!” Ruby called out with enthusiasm, and the two friends hugged tightly. As they pulled away, Ruby extended the bouquet and the gift box toward them. “Congratulations on your marriage! And I’m sorry about the other day, Lucius. You’re perfect for my friend. She’s so happy to have such a handsome man like you.”

“Ruby, stop it!” Layla exclaimed, though she couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips. She gestured for Ruby to stop teasing.

“So, Layla thinks this man is handsome now,” Lucius teased, his grin widening as he glanced at his wife.

“Who wouldn’t? Layla likes you a lot!” Ruby chimed in with a mischievous smile.

“When did I say that?” Layla arched her brow playfully at Ruby.

“The day we met. You forget such things so easily, Layla,” Ruby teased. “You told me you wan—” Ruby couldn’t finish her sentence as Layla quickly stepped in, covering her mouth with her hand.

“Excuse us for a moment!” Layla said hurriedly to Lucius, who watched the scene with amusement. She dragged Ruby away, giving Lucius a quick smile. “I’ll see you later!” she called over her shoulder.

As they moved a little further away, Layla finally let go of Ruby’s arm. “What are you doing?” she asked in a whisper, her cheeks flushed.

“Just telling the truth,” Ruby replied with a mischievous wink. “You did say you wanted a man like Lucius, didn’t you?”

Layla sighed, unable to stay annoyed. “Maybe I did, but that doesn’t mean you should say it in front of him!” she whispered back, glancing over to where Lucius stood, still watching them with a smile.

Ruby laughed softly, linking her arm with Layla’s. “You’re glowing, Layla. And it’s not just because of the wedding. You really do like him, don’t you?”

Layla’s expression softened and she kept smiling.