Trading My Ex for His Uncle

The two of them were eight years apart, with different interests and personalities.

Some of Stefan's behavior struck Valarie as incredibly immature. But more importantly, she had never seen him in a romantic light.

To her, he was more like a younger brother-someone she felt protective of, but not someone she could ever like that way.

He should be dating girls his own age, and she should get back to living her own

life.

With that thought, Valarie accepted the money.

Valarie: [Thank you for everything these past few weeks. And... I'm sorry about today.]

...

Stefan stared at the message on his screen in a quiet park, his lips curling into a mocking smile.

Just as Brandon had said-Valarie had only been using him as a distraction. Now that she was back with Brandon, she'd discarded him without hesitation.

Taking a deep breath, he deleted the chat and didn't reply.

They had always been from different worlds. Now, things were simply returning to how they had been before.

Still, he couldn't deny the lingering sadness.

These past few weeks... they had just been a dream.

Standing up, Stefan made his way to the bus stop.

...

Valarie waited for a response, but ten minutes passed, and Stefan still hadn't replied. She figured he wasn't going to.

Letting out a quiet sigh, she set her phone down and went to wash up.

Over the next few weeks, they didn't see each other again.

Valarie fell back into her usual routine work during the day, occasional dates with Brandon in the evening.

Meanwhile, Stefan kept up his daily grind—juggling school, working odd jobs, and trying to cover his mother's medical expenses.

Two weeks later, Stefan was in the middle of his shift at a restaurant when his phone rang.

It was the hospital. "Mr. Foley, a woman claiming to be your older sister came in and transferred your mother to Saintornia Sekond Hospital."

Stefan's grip on his phone tightened. A wave of unease washed over him.

He quickly hung up and dialed Michelle.

She picked up almost immediately, as if she'd been expecting his call.

"Stefan, I was wondering when you'd call. We're still on our way to the new hospital," she said with a laugh,noveldrama

"Michelle, if you do anything to my mom, I swear I'll expose everything you've done. Take her back to Pinnacle Hospital. Right now," Stefan growled.

Michelle chuckled. "Haven't you learned by now? Do you really think you can threaten me? Your mother is in my hands. If you don't listen to me, you might never see her again."

Stefan's voice trembled with rage. "What do you want?"

"It's simple. Get Valarie to meet with me. If you do that, I'll leave your mother

alone. I won't bother you again," Michelle said.

"Never. I'm not doing anything for you again," Stefan refused immediately.

"Oh? Are you sure? We're about to cross a bridge on the way to the hospital. It'd be a shame if there were a car accident. If the vehicle went over the edge... Well, I don't think your mother would survive that," Michelle said nonchalantly.

Stefan's face went deathly pale. His hands trembled with anger, and for a moment, he almost lost control. "You wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't I?" Michelle said sweetly. "It depends on whether you agree. You have three seconds to consider asking Valarie out for me. Three... Two-"

Before she could finish, Stefan gritted his teeth and cut her off, "Fine! I'll do it. But you have to take my mom back to the hospital-right now."

"Relax. The doctors at Saintornia Sekond Hospital are just as skilled. Besides, Dad knows the director there. She'll get the best care.

"I'll text you the time and place. I expect to see Valarie there

tomorrow night. If I don't, don't net

expect to see your mother again," Michelle said, sounding pleased.