Wedding My Ex's Uncle (Kaia and Alden) novel Chapter 59

My Name

She regretted not having a backup plan-today could’ve been a double win. Without preparation, she could only give Kimberly a calm-down look. “Not now. Just stay cool.”

Kimberly let out a frustrated sigh. “Whatever.”

Kaia never looked away from the stage. Then came the bracelet. “Opening bid, 100 thousand dollars.” Since she was with Sally, the tab would hit the Domonts. Kaia figured her dad could swing it-it was for her grandma, after all.

She raised her paddle. “One hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”

Someone else jumped in. “Two hundred thousand dollars, once!” Kaia didn’t blink-she lifted her paddle again.

“Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, once!” the auctioneer announced.

The other bidder came on hard. “Five hundred thousand dollars, once!”

“Mom, seriously? Can you stop her? Five hundred thousand dollars for some dead woman’s bracelet? She’s lost it,” Kimberly

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hissed.

Sally was eyeing a diamond necklace-if Kaia kept going, her plan could tank. The Domonts didn’t have deep pockets-a bidding war could break them.

Kaia tuned them both out. Sally dragged her here; she was going to win that bracelet.

“Six hundred thousand dollars, once!” came the call.

“One million dollars, sir! Any more? One million dollars, once!”

Sally grabbed Kaia’s wrist. “Kaia, your dad’s not gonna be okay with that. A million’s insane. Just wait for the next one.”

Suddenly, a man up front raised his number. “Five million dollars!”

The auctioneer lit up. “Five million dollars from Mr. Graves!”

It was Lucien. The entire room went dead silent.

Kaia froze.

“Five million dollars, going once, going twice, sold! Congrats, Mr. Graves-the bracelet is yours!”

Kaia, fuming, grabbed a water bottle and took a swig.

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Lucien said she could ask for anything-should she ask for that bracelet?

She had no idea Sally had watched her take that sip, then smiled and unlocked her phone to send a quick text to the man waiting on the other end.

[It’s done. Meet me outside in five.]

The water burned down her throat. She slipped her mask back on. “I’m heading home.”

She walked out, cutting through the crowd.

Outside, she turned toward the restroom to splash her face—her knees buckled.

Something’s off!

Her nerves snapped to attention. Something was wrong with the water—she’d been drugged!

She cursed herself. She’d sworn off eating or drinking here, but missing the bracelet had shaken her.

Her teeth clenched, Kaia staggered into the restroom and locked the door.

רופ

Her vision blurred. She reached for her phone-no signal.

Should I call the police? She hesitated-then the handle jiggled.

Someone was outside!

Kaia reached into her purse and grabbed her pocket knife. After what happened with Kimberly, she kept it close.

Both hands gripped the handle tight as footsteps crept closer.

She ran through the rules.

Slice an arm, it’s defense. Anything more, I’m rolling the dice-

aim smart.

Her pulse raced. She braced herself for a fight—then came a heavy thud, followed by a low grunt.

What was that?

Someone stood outside her stall. “Kaia, it’s Lucien. Open up. I’m here.”

She exhaled hard and let the knife drop.

Unlocking the door, her face flushed, her voice shaky. “Lucien…

you came.”

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Lucien’s jaw clenched tight.

“What happened? Are you okay?”

He touched her forehead, his hand cool against her burning skin. “You’re burning up.”

Kaia shook her head, panting. “Hospital. Lucien, someone drugged me.”

His eyes went sharp, his breathing clipped.

Without a word, he scooped her up. “I got you. We’re going straight to the ER.”

How many times has it come to this? Why is it always Lucien who shows up when I need someone the most? Kaia’s head spun, her vision swimming, and her skin burning up like she’d been tossed into a sauna. Her nerves buzzed, and all she could think about was tearing her clothes off to cool down.

Two firm, warm hands gently wrapped around hers. His palm swallowed her trembling fingers, giving them a steady squeeze. “Kaia.”

“Mmm.” She furrowed her brows, her voice rough. “Let go, it’s too hot!”

Lucien’s voice dipped low, gritty, and close to her ear. “Just hold

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on, you’ll cool down in a second. We’re almost at the hospital.”

Kaia fought to sit up, her pale face just inches from his.

“Mr. Graves?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed just a little. “Come on, sweetheart, call me by my name.”

“Mm. Don’t feel like it.”

He steadied her by the shoulders, keeping her from swaying. “Why not, Kaia? Why won’t you just say my name?”

Kaia blinked, her gaze hazy, and tapped his nose with her finger. “You’re just messing with me! I hate when people play games with names to flirt. It’s like Alden and Luna pretending to be just siblings.”

Lucien’s mouth twitched, and then he cleared his throat and didn’t argue.

“Alright, fine, if that makes you feel better.”

Kaia kept twisting in his arms, but he held firm, keeping her safe against his chest. Suddenly, her lips quivered, and fat tears spilled down her cheeks.

“Sorry, Grandma. I didn’t get the bracelet.” Her voice cracked,

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almost swallowed by her hiccups. “Grandma, you’re not mad at me, right?”

Lucien wiped her tears, then slipped a sparkling bracelet out of his pocket and gently clasped it around her wrist. “No more crying, sweetie. I picked this out just for you.”

Kaia stared, her big glassy eyes wide and blank. “You stole this, didn’t you? You know stealing jewelry can get you three years, right?”

She tugged at the bracelet, panicked. “I’m not going down for you! Take it back! If anyone’s getting locked up, it’s you, not me!”

Lucien shook his head. “Didn’t steal it, Kaia. I paid for it. Chill,” he said with a crooked grin, but hér clinging to his arm was seriously messing with his self-control.

His voice dropped, low and tight. “Keep grabbing me like that, Kaia, and I might not be able to behave.” Kaia snapped upright, head ducked, looking like a kid who just got caught stealing cookies. Lucien forgot to breathe for a second.

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