Wedding My Ex's Uncle (Kaia and Alden) novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78 You’re My Sister

Kaia smiled, “That dress was way too flashy and wouldn’t work for most occasions. Besides, that color doesn’t suit Luna at all. If she’s so determined to have it, let her.”

“Ugh, you’re absolutely right. She’s so plain and boring. There’s

no way

she can pull it off! My brother must be blind to fall for her!” As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized her mistake.

“Kaia, I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t take it personally-I’m calling my brother a jerk, not you!”

Kaia laughed it off casually. “It’s fine. Let’s go check out some other stores. I might have a dinner party this Saturday, so help me pick a dress, will you?”

On the fifth floor, a boutique with unique décor and custom women’s clothing caught their attention.

“Oh my god, Kaia, this dress was practically made for you! It’s so gorgeous and sparkly.”

The dress was elegantly simple-white with a mermaid-style lace skirt, hand-sewn with countless tiny diamonds that created an understated luxury.

Alyssa immediately called over a sales associate. “Hi, can we try

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this one on?”

“I’m sorry, but this piece is a custom order for another client. It’s not for sale.”

Alyssa had guessed correctly. “Are those diamonds on it?”

The sales associate smiled warmly, “Yes, the hem is adorned with ten thousand hand-set diamond chips. It’s entirely handcrafted and took nearly a month to complete.”

Kaia nodded slightly, already sensing this piece came with a hefty price tag. She took Alyssa’s hand. “Thank you. Let’s look at some other styles.”

Alyssa was still marveling at what she’d seen. “I can’t believe such a small boutique carries gowns of this quality. It’s

incredible!”

She continued, “Too bad someone already ordered it, or I’d buy it for you right now, Kaia. Consider it your gift for this year.”

Kaia laughed softly, “Thanks, sweetheart. It’s the thought that counts.”

A six-figure dress was way beyond what she could accept anyway.

In the end, Kaia chose a simple black gown that was understated

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yet elegant-a safe, conservative choice.

Since she wouldn’t be the center of attention at the dinner, there was no need to steal anyone’s thunder. Better to blend into the background.

XXXXX

On the drive home, Alden stayed silent. Luna’s cheeks puffed out slightly as frustration built inside her, and her voice carried

a hint of tears.

“Alden, are you mad at me for taking Kaia’s dress?”

Alden startled, then let out a quiet sigh. “No.”

He said that, but his mind had been elsewhere ever since the boutique. Luna had tried talking to him several times, and his responses made no sense.

Luna’s heart raced with panic and desperation. Even though he was sitting so close to her, she felt him slipping further and further away. “Why won’t you even hold my hand after we went public?”

Luna leaned forward, bringing her cherry-red lips within an inch of his mouth.

“Alden…” Her voice was soft and seductive as she tried to draw

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some confirmation.

But Alden pulled back. He pressed himself against the chair, putting distance between them and those tempting lips. “Luna, stop it. Let’s go home.”

The rejection cut through Luna like a knife.

“Can’t we?” she whispered.

Alden knew precisely what she was asking for. He couldn’t explain why, but he could only manage a quiet sigh. “Luna, you’re my sister.”

Luna’s fingers trembled.

Just his sister? Then what did all those photos of me in his

collection mean?

They ended their painful conversation there, and neither spoke for the rest of the drive home.

*****

At Riverside Manor, Sally handed Kimberly an invitation to Saturday’s private dinner party.

“Kimberly, Lucien will be at this dinner. I bribed one of the

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servers and got you the key card to room 608 on the second floor. The rest is up to you!”

Excitement bubbled up inside Kimberly. “Mom, aren’t you coming with me?”

Sally shook her head. “There’s only one invitation, so you’re going alone. This is a private party with all of Lucien’s close friends. It took everything I had just to get this one invitation.”

She added, “Lauren will be there too. Stay close to her and wait for the right moment. Got it?”

Kimberly nodded vigorously. “Got it!”

Once she got pregnant with Lucien’s child, she’d crush Kaia completely.

Two days later, Lucien arrived at Kaia’s apartment building at six o’clock. Just as she was about to head downstairs, her phone

rang.

“You ready?” his voice came through the line.

Kaia checked herself in the mirror and nodded. “All set.”

His tone was casual and smooth. “Can I come up? I’ve got something for you.”

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Kaia glanced around her apartment. It looked clean and tidy enough.

“Sure, come on up.”

Five minutes later, the doorbell rang right on time.

Kaia opened the door to find Lucien standing there, the entryway light casting shadows across his sharp features and softening his expression. He wore a black suit and stood quietly by the door, extending an elegant shopping bag toward her.

“Wear this instead,” he said casually.

Kaia glanced down at her black dress, realizing it clashed with his suit. Standing together, they’d look too dark and somber.

“Okay, wait in the living room while I change.”

Just as Kaia was about to tell him he didn’t need to take off his shoes, the man had already slipped out of his leather dress shoes and stood barefoot on her floor.

“Um, I only have women’s slippers,” she said awkwardly.

That one sentence delighted Lucien. It meant no other man besides him had ever been in this house.

A slight smile tugged at Lucien’s lips. “It’s fine. Your floors are

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clean. I don’t need slippers.”

Kaia let out an awkward laugh. “I’ll go get changed, then. Just wait here-I’ll be super quick.”

Before Lucien could say anything, she bolted toward her bedroom like a gust of wind, her cheeks warm. She didn’t want to keep him waiting.

When she opened the shopping bag, she discovered the diamond-studded dress that she and Alyssa had admired at the mall that day, lying quietly inside.