Stand Me Up? I'll Marry His Billionaire Uncle novel Chapter 161

As Sean and his family made their way down the hillside, a fine drizzle began to fall from the overcast sky.

"Oh, come on! Why does it have to start raining now?" Chloe grumbled, tugging the hood of her jacket higher.

"It's just a little rain, Chloe. Be patient, we're almost to the rest area," Grace Quinn soothed her daughter gently.

Sean glanced at his moody daughter, a weight settling in his chest.

How had he and Grace—both level-headed and composed—ended up with such a spoiled, temperamental child? There wasn't a trace of the poised young lady he'd imagined raising.

Irritation flickered across his face, but as he looked out toward the road, his gaze snagged on a distant figure cloaked in black.

A tall man in a dark suit was making his way up the stone steps, a black umbrella sheltering him from the rain. He moved quickly, soon little more than a speck against the gray landscape.

There was something oddly familiar about that silhouette. Before Sean could place it, Grace interrupted his thoughts.

"Sean, let's keep moving. We don't want to catch a cold out here."

He pulled his gaze away and slid into the car.

"Dad, do we really have to wait for Sunny?" Chloe asked, impatience sharpening her tone.

Sean shot her a cold look. "If you don't want to wait, you're welcome to head home on your own."

They'd only brought one car. How exactly did Chloe think Sunny would get back—walk?

Chloe huffed and turned away in a silent sulk, arms crossed.

Sean didn't waste energy worrying about his daughter's attitude. His mind wandered back to the path leading toward Blessing Bay Cemetery, the resting place of every Carrington for generations.

A wild thought struck him. He pulled out his phone, eyes locked on the grainy photo he'd snapped of the man in black. New clothes, a different haircut… wasn't this the same man they'd run into earlier?

Could it be Stellan?

"Sean, I brought some nourishing broth. Would you like a cup?" Grace offered softly.

Sean's face broke into an absentminded grin.

Grace watched him, suspicion flickering in her eyes. Today marked the seventh week since his mother's passing; no matter what, Sean would never be smiling on a day like this. He'd never been particularly close to his mother, but he always observed the proper respect and decorum. What could possibly have put him in such a good mood?

"Sean?" Grace called again, her voice laced with concern.

He snapped out of his reverie, smoothing his expression. "Sorry, what did you say?"

"Nothing… Are you alright?" she asked, frowning in concern.

"I'm fine, really. Don't worry about me. Just make sure to teach Chloe some manners, will you? I don't want her embarrassing us at the Lawson wedding next week!"

Chloe, caught in the crossfire, muttered under her breath. Why was she getting blamed again?

—

The drizzle soon gathered strength. Sunny, caught without an umbrella, used her handbag to shield her head, but the rain still managed to dampen the wisps of hair on her forehead.

As she hurried along the blue-grey stone steps, a dark figure emerged through the curtain of rain.

He wore a tailored black suit that shimmered coolly in the mist. Long fingers curled around the handle of a large umbrella, and behind the gauzy veil of rain, his chiseled features seemed even more severe, his eyes cold and distant beneath thick lashes.

But as his gaze met Sunny's, the ice melted, replaced by a gentle warmth that softened every edge.

He held the umbrella above her, sheltering her from the steady rain.

"Maybe you should wait a bit before heading down. I'll go first?" she offered, feeling strangely furtive.

Why did this feel so much like sneaking around?

Stellan gave her an exaggerated pout. "So I rush straight from the airport to see your grandmother, and you still won't let me have a proper introduction?"

Sunny bit her lip, a little flustered. "We agreed to keep things quiet for now. I—I'll decide when to make it official."

Stellan chuckled, bending close until his cheek nearly brushed hers. "So… how about a consolation prize?"

A blush crept up Sunny's neck. "What kind of prize are you after?"

He drew out the pause, voice deep and teasing. "What do you think?"

She knew exactly what he meant. Still, she didn't expect Stellan to turn so cheeky.

Dropping her hesitation, she closed her eyes, lashes trembling, and leaned in to kiss his cheek.

But just as she got close, Stellan's gaze flicked to her lips, and in the last half-second, he shifted, capturing her mouth in a swift, warm kiss.

Sunny's eyes flew open, startled. "You—!"

Stellan pulled back, rubbing his thumb over his lips, a satisfied smile playing there. "Thank you. That was just the prize I wanted."

Flustered and a little annoyed, Sunny stalked off down the path, his umbrella gripped tightly in her hand.

Stellan watched her go, a soft smile lingering on his lips. "My wife is adorable."

Tomorrow, she'd be his wife for real.