Trading My Ex for His Uncle

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Valarie cut Brandon off, her gaze sharp with accusation.

Brandon hesitated, caught off guard for a moment.

After a brief pause, he nodded. "Yes, I did. Because I don't like how much attention you're giving Stefan. If it had been any other server handling the bill, would you still be questioning me like this?"

"There's no 'if.' I chose to be with you again, which means I'm not holding onto anything with Stefan. So, there's no reason for you to single him out," Valarie

replied.

Brandon's expression darkened slightly. He opened his mouth as if to speak, then held back. "Alright. I understand."

"Good. Let's go home," Valarie said, and the car fell into silence.

When they finally arrived at the Weir residence, Brandon broke the quiet. "Valarie, don't you think... things between us aren't the same anymore?"

They were supposed to be a couple, yet they tiptoed around each other-testing boundaries, afraid to say the wrong thing.

Valarie pressed her lips together, lowering her gaze. "We're back together, but what happened before doesn't disappear. It's going to take time to get things back to how they were."noveldrama

Brandon let out a bitter laugh, the fear lingering in his chest.

No matter how much time passed, he couldn't shake the feeling that things would never be the same.

"Alright. Go inside. Good night," he said quietly.

Valarie nodded, stepped out of the car, and walked inside.

Once in her room, she sank onto the couch, feeling drained and lost.

She had hoped that giving Brandon another chance would mean they could return

to how things used to be. Now, she realized that was impossible. Being with him felt exhausting.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

She unlocked the screen to see a message from Stefan.

Stefan: [Veevee, did you and Mr. Sumner get back together?]

Valarie hadn't expected him to notice so quickly. After a moment's hesitation, she typed back.

Valarie: [Yes.]

Almost immediately, Stefan transferred 250,000 dollars to her.

Stefan: [This is the hospital bill you covered last night. I planned to return it over dinner, but now that you're back with Mr. Sumner, it doesn't feel right anymore. Thank you for everything during this time.]

Valarie stared at his message, pursing her lips. After a long pause, she replied.

Valarie: [You don't have to. Your mother will still need money for her treatments. Keep it.]

Stefan: [But I'm not your family. I can't just take your money. I don't want to owe you too much. If you don't accept it, I'll go to the bank tomorrow and transfer it directly to your account.]

Valarie could almost picture his stubborn, slightly aggrieved expression.

The first time they met...

Stefan was walking alone in the pouring rain, drenched and looking as if the world had abandoned him.

She had just broken up with Brandon. Seeing Stefan in that state, she felt an overwhelming urge to help. She stopped and gave him a ride to his university.

She hadn't expected to see him again the very next day—this time, at a bar. He was working as a server, bringing drinks to her booth.

He recognized her immediately,

noticing the five or six empty

ottles

on the table. Without a word, he Cared them away and replaced her next drink with juice instead.

She took a sip and immediately sensed something was off. Looking up to question

him, she was surprised to realize it was the same rain-soaked boy from the night before.

That was how they got to know each other.

At first, Valarie had been drawn to Stefan's face. Over time, though, she realized

they were never meant to be.