That night, I wrapped myself tightly in my blanket.

The words echoed in my mind, accompanied by tears.

The next morning, my eyes were indeed swollen.

I couldn't face Thomas, so I skipped breakfast and hurried back to school.

Throughout the day, I was distracted, constantly checking my phone for messages.

The previously constant contact from Thomas was completely absent.

My friend, Juliette, noticed my worry and asked.

"Did things not go well last night?"

I pointed to my swollen eyes. "What do you think?"

"Did you use the tricks I taught you?"

I thought about the slip dress and Thomas's final look at me.

I felt as if I were being torn apart again. "I used them."

Juliette was puzzled. "That's strange. With your looks and figure, how could you not win over a man?"

"You always said your uncle treated you well, didn't you?"

It was pretty good.

But I couldn't tell if it was because he liked me.

Or because I was his so-called niece.

Thomas wasn't my father's biological brother and he was an orphan.

Years ago, Marcus took him in and, given the small age difference, listed Thomas as a family member.

I went from being a little girl who followed him around calling him brother.

I became his only niece.

Five years ago, my parents went to Brittonia to expand their business, entrusting me to Thomas.

In the years I spent with Thomas, I rarely called him uncle.

He also acquiesced in me not using this word to address him.

Thomas helped Grandfather manage the Garrett group.

He was busy, yet he never missed a parent-teacher meeting.

He was decisive and assertive outside, but he would lower himself to cheer me up with my favorite strawberry cake when I was upset.

For years, Thomas's care for me had been meticulous.

I hadn't even realized when I fell for him.

Thus, I always felt his care was more than just treating me as a dear junior.

But my all-or-nothing gamble resulted in this.

I wasn't willing to accept it and decided to talk to Thomas again at the family dinner this weekend.

But that night, I received another shocking piece of news.

Thomas was getting engaged.

I sat in the living room of the old house, listening to Grandfather introduce the woman sitting beside him.

I heard she was the only daughter of Rainey group.

She and Thomas were a perfect match.

Throughout the family dinner, I couldn't enjoy the food, constantly sneaking glances at Thomas.