Stand Me Up? I'll Marry His Billionaire Uncle novel Chapter 11

Sunny stood at the iron gates of the villa, waiting for her Uber to show up.

The house was a good distance from the city, so it took nearly ten minutes before her ride finally arrived.

She never noticed the black Mercedes lurking quietly in the shadows down the drive.

Inside, Stellan glanced at his watch. "Barely home, and already heading out again?"

Later, lying on the narrow bed in her own tiny apartment, Sunny finally felt as if she could breathe again, as if life was seeping back into her limbs.

She checked her bank balance—just a little more, and she'd have enough to pay for this place in full.

Since college, she'd mostly lived on her own, renting one cramped space after another. Sean, of course, never refused to pay her tuition, but the day she turned eighteen, Sunny resolved to leave home for good.

The Carrington family meant little to her now—she felt more like an outsider than a daughter.

To Sean, she was just a pawn to be moved around the board.

If she wanted to break off her engagement with Tristan once and for all, she'd have to face her father head-on.

That thought circled her mind until sleep finally claimed her.

–

She walked out of the courthouse at five, clad in a sharp black suit, having just seen off a client, when her father's name flashed on her phone.

"Sunny, bring Tristan home for dinner tonight. Your aunt's made your favorite—remember to come early."

She hung up with a snort.

No chance she'd call Tristan, but she might as well go home and make things clear.

"You're back, miss." Abbey, the family's longtime housekeeper, greeted her at the door.

Abbey was the only one who still called her "miss," and every time she did, Chloe would shoot her a glare.

"Abbey, I brought you some of those honey cakes from Southridge. Aren't they your favorite?"

"Oh, thank you, miss. You always think of me. If only the lady of the house were still here…"

Sunny smiled and squeezed Abbey's shoulder. "Don't say that. If they hear you, they'll only make things harder for you."

Sean's face darkened. "Where are your manners?"

Sunny forced a thin smile. "You all go ahead. I'm still full from breakfast, so I'll skip dinner tonight."

With that, she turned and headed for her room.

The moment she opened the door, a pile of boxes stacked behind it toppled to the floor.

Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed the mess—delivery boxes, big and small, some torn open, others still taped shut.

Her old bedroom had clearly become the family storage room.

"Oops, sis, you can't just barge into my room without knocking!" chirped Chloe from the hallway.

Sunny's gaze sharpened. "Your room?"

"Chloe, you have five minutes to explain why my room is filled with your junk."

Chloe lifted her chin, lips curling into a smug grin. "Your room's bigger than mine, and you never stay here anyway. What's the harm in letting me use the space?"