Wed To The Forbidden Uncle

CH 22

"The first time I met him, he was just a rookie actor, playing minor roles with barely any lines. But back then, he was so earnest and kind..." The girl choked up, taking a moment before continuing, "I don't know how he turned into what he is now. Is it because I spoiled him?"

Mercy handed her a tissue, speaking softly, "Star, a person's true nature is hard to change. It just means he was hiding it well before, so it's not your fault."

She paused, then added, "We meet all sorts of people in our lives. Some are just passing through to teach us something. But don't lose hope, because you'll eventually meet someone whose presence makes all your past struggles worthwhile."

Thinking of her own encounter with her uncle, a gentle light flickered in the girl's eyes.

"You're right. Zachary was just a passerby, not worth my tears. Let's drink until we drop tonight. Tomorrow, when I wake up, I'll forget all about Zachary and anyone else!" Esther declared, taking a big gulp of her drink.

"Yes, let's drink until we drop!" Mercy joined in, thinking about the troublesome Rivers family. She wasn't too worried about safety with Gavin watching over them.

In the booth next to them, Gavin saw the two girls getting more and more lively with their drinking and quickly called Dexter. "Hey, boss, the missus and Esther are drinking too much and I can't stop them..."

The man's voice was cool, "Got it. I'm on my way. Just keep an eye on them."

After hanging up, Gavin continued to watch them closely, worried something might happen.

And sure enough, what he feared came true. A man at the next table, who had been eyeing the girls for a while, saw they were drunk and slid over to sit next to Esther.

"Hey beautiful, it's no fun for two girls to drink alone. How about I join you?" the man said, reaching out to wrap an arm around her waist.

Just as Gavin was about to intervene, Mercy moved swiftly from across the table.

With a loud thud, the man's head was pinned to the table. Although Mercy seemed to exert little effort, the man's head was immovable.

"Get lost," she said softly, releasing her grip.

The man was terrified, feeling as if she might snap his neck. He scrambled to his feet and bolted out of the bar.

Gavin was left in shock, his eyes wide.

Wow, he had thought the lady was a delicate flower, but it turned out she was more like a warrior queen! He suddenly felt a newfound respect for his boss.

Dexter arrived shortly after.

He must have come straight from the office, still dressed in a neat suit that clashed with the bar's laid-back vibe.

His shirt was buttoned all the way up, giving him a cool, aloof appearance that, combined with his strikingly handsome face, made him seem like a deity looking down on mortals.

Many girls in the bar were sneaking glances at him, debating whether to ask for his number, but they hesitated, fearing rejection. He seemed like someone who wasn't interested in romance.

Yet, the man who appeared so cold to everyone else softened when he saw a particular girl. "Mercy, it's time to go home."

The hearts of the onlooking girls shattered—he was already taken.

Hearing someone call her name, Mercy lifted her head, but the room spun around her and she couldn't see clearly.

"Who are you?" she asked.

The girl wobbled as she stood up and Dexter quickly reached out to steady her, only to have her cup his face with her hands.

For a moment, they were so close they could feel each other's breath.

"Don't move," she said seriously, staring at him for a long time.

Gavin watched nervously, worried that if the lady didn't recognize the boss, she might react like she did earlier.

With her warm hands on his face, Dexter was reminded of the first time they met, when Mercy had held his face just like this and then...

His dark eyes deepened, as dark as the night.

The double vision cleared as Mercy moved closer and she finally recognized who was in front of her.

"Uncle, hey, you came~" she said softly and then promptly fell asleep in his arms.

"Gavin, take Esther back to the Landon family."

Dexter sighed, removed his jacket to cover Mercy and lifted her into his arms, maneuvering his wheelchair to leave the bar.

Gavin picked up the sleeping Esther and followed him to another car.

In the spacious car, Dexter sat in his wheelchair, holding Mercy, quietly watching her peaceful sleeping face.

Her cheeks were flushed a soft pink from the alcohol, making her look as innocent as a little angel. Her thick eyelashes naturally curled upwards, casting gentle shadows on her eyelids like tiny fans.

Dexter couldn't help but reach out and gently brush those raven lashes. Her long lashes fluttered lightly, tickling his fingertips, yet he couldn't bring himself to pull away.

As the car went over a speed bump, the girl in the man's arms was jostled awake.

"Uncle," Mercy blinked, trying to figure out where she was, "where are we going?"

"We're going home together," Dexter said, his gaze softening even more.

However, Mercy misunderstood his words.

"Home?" Her eyes filled with unshed tears and her voice was low. "When I was in the orphanage, I always hoped that one day my mom and dad would come and take me home. I used to think, if I could grow up with them, they would spoil me so much."

"But..." she let out a bitter laugh, "even if I went back to them now, the one they dote on wouldn't be me. I feel like an outsider, just watching that family love each other. Uncle, did I do something wrong?"

Her tears fell like broken pearls and the man caught them in his palm, as if holding precious gems.

"Mercy, it's not your fault."

Dexter reached out to wipe the tears from her eyes, but they wouldn't stop.

The girl stopped speaking, silently shedding tears that tugged at his heart.

A man who had weathered many storms was, for the first time, at a loss, unsure how to comfort her.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. It hurts me to see you cry," he said, his voice as gentle as a soft breeze.

But the gentler he was, the more she wanted to cry, as if all the grievances of the past years had found an outlet and needed to be released.

"Sob, sob..." Mercy clutched Dexter's shirt collar, her sobs breaking the silence. Afraid she might cry her eyes out, Dexter lifted her chin with a sigh, his voice firm yet tender, "If you keep crying, I might just have to kiss you."