Falling For My Handsome Uncle

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 — A Promise Has Rules

Julian Cross's POV

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The first rule of protecting Evelyn Rose was simple: I would never let my promise become a cage. I had made that decision before sunrise. By seven, I had already rewritten the legal arrangements surrounding her inheritance, instructed my attorneys to establish an independent trust, and arranged for her education to continue without interruption. She would have security. She would have choices. Most importantly, she would have a future that belonged to her. Her father's final request had been clear enough. He trusted me to look after his daughter and honor the betrothal they had discussed for her adulthood. But Evelyn was still a child grieving two parents. Whatever promises adults had made before the accident could never replace her right to choose her own life when she was old enough to understand it. I signed the final document and pushed it across the desk. “That's everything,” my lawyer said. “Her inheritance remains hers?” “Entirely.” “And nobody can access it without her consent once she reaches legal age?” “Correct.” “Good.” I leaned back. “Then we're finished.” My lawyer gathered the papers, hesitated, and gave me a strange look. “What?” “You've cancelled three meetings, postponed an acquisition, and spent the entire night arranging a sixteen-year-old's future.” “She lost her parents.” “I know.” “Then you know why.” He nodded. I picked up my coffee. It had gone cold. Perfect. Apparently, my life had become a series of cold coffees and difficult decisions. A knock sounded. “Come in.” Maria entered. “Mr. Cross, Miss Evelyn is awake.” I glanced at the clock. “Did she eat?” “She asked for pancakes.” I closed my eyes briefly. “At seven in the morning?” “She says midnight pancakes should become breakfast pancakes.” I stared at Maria. Maria smiled. “She also says you're responsible for introducing her to this philosophy.” I almost laughed. Almost. “Tell her breakfast will be served in ten minutes.” “She wants you to eat with her.” “I have work.” Maria's expression became suspiciously knowing. “Sir.” I looked up. “What?” “She specifically said, ‘Tell Uncle Julian he can work after breakfast.’” I stared at her. “She's been here less than a day.” “And already understands how to manage you.” I couldn't argue with that. When I entered the dining room, Evelyn was sitting at the table with her hair tied into a messy ponytail. She wore an oversized sweater that swallowed her hands. She looked younger than sixteen. Too young for everything she had endured. The moment she saw me, her face brightened. “Good morning.” “Morning.” “You came.” “I live here.” She frowned. “That doesn't mean you'd actually show up.” I pulled out the chair opposite her. “I said I would.” She smiled faintly. A plate of pancakes sat between us. She picked up her fork. “Did you sleep?” “A little.” “You?” She nodded. “After you stayed.” I didn't comment. She cut into the pancakes, then paused. “Uncle Julian?” “Yes?” “Am I staying here forever?” The question carried no childish curiosity this time. It carried fear. I placed my coffee down. “You can stay as long as you need.” “What if I don't want to?” “Then you don't have to.” She looked surprised. “But Dad wanted me to stay with you.” “He wanted me safe.” “He also wanted us to get married.” The fork stopped halfway to her mouth. I knew this conversation would eventually happen. I kept my voice calm. “You don't need to think about marriage.” “But it's a promise.” “It was an agreement between adults about a future neither of us can predict.” She lowered the fork. “So you don't want to marry me?” There was hurt in her expression, but it wasn't romantic hurt. It was the fear of losing another person she depended upon. I understood that immediately. “Evelyn, listen carefully.” She looked at me. “Your father trusted me with your safety. That is my responsibility now. Nothing else matters until you're grown and able to decide what you want without anyone influencing you.” Her eyes glistened. “What if I change my mind?” “Then you change your mind.” “What if I don't want the engagement anymore?” “Then it ends.” “Even if Dad wanted it?” “Even then.” She stared at me for several seconds. Then her shoulders relaxed. “So I won't disappoint you?” “Never.” A tear slipped down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. “I don't want to disappoint anyone anymore.” “You don't have to earn love by obeying people.” Her eyes dropped to her plate. For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then she whispered, “Can I still call you Uncle Julian?” “Yes.” “Good.” She picked up her fork again. “Because calling you Mr. Cross sounds like I'm emailing your company.” That caught me off guard. A laugh escaped before I could stop it. She stared at me in triumph. “You laughed.” “I did not.” “You did.” “Eat your pancakes.” “You definitely laughed.” I shook my head. For the first time since the accident, the dining room didn't feel like a funeral hall. After breakfast, I had to leave for the office. Evelyn followed me to the entrance. “Where are you going?” “Work.” “Can I come?” I glanced down at her. “Why?” “I want to see where you disappear to every day.” “I don't disappear.” “You're a CEO. That's exactly what CEOs do.” I sighed. “My office is boring.” “Then I'll judge it.” “You're sixteen.” “And already qualified.” I should have refused. Instead, I heard myself say, “Fine.” Her smile appeared instantly. I pointed toward the driver waiting outside. “You stay with Maria or my assistant. You don't wander around alone.” “Understood.” “And no touching confidential documents.” “I know.” “And don't interfere with meetings.” She nodded solemnly. “Unless they're boring.” “Evelyn.” She grinned. I opened the car door. She climbed inside. As I followed, I realized something unsettling. The house had been silent for years. Now, somehow, one grieving girl had already begun filling it with noise. Maybe that wasn't a problem. Maybe it was exactly what both of us needed. What I didn't know was that by bringing Evelyn into my world that morning, I was about to introduce her to a side of my life she had never seen. And before the day ended, my employees would discover something none of them had expected. Their notoriously untouchable CEO had brought someone into the company whom he would protect with everything he had. The girl they would soon recognize as their CEO's betrothed.