Chapter 107 - It's been a long time

"Uncle, how nice to see you again." She greeted Gaston de Cocieux with an enchanted smile on her lips. There was this warm sparkle in her eyes that Alexandre himself could rarely bring out. The sting in his heart burned at this sight. He believed it was fate. Fate that should have struck her two years ago. He knew he was cruel. But it was inevitable. Since the day he had learned of her relationship with this beast, she had become one of his most important pawns. What a blow would have been more painful than to steal his beloved goddaughter out of his hands. The girl who was more to him than his brother's daughter. He knew that Gaston saw in her a true daughter. And it was this fatherly love that made him vulnerable. Alexandre had searched for a long time to find a weakness like that. In fact, this cold monster never let anyone near him. All that kept him going was blind revenge and rotten morality. It was a miracle that Lillian de Clermont had managed to warm the cold heart of this man. Her uncle was the only one in her father's family who was close to her.

It was strange. Her own father, who could not love her, who actually felt nothing but disdain towards his daughter. Still, she found approval among her father's older brother, the head of the de Cocieux family. Perhaps he had been more of a father figure in all these years than her own father could ever be.

As if she was being choked. Slowly de Cocieux raised an dark eyebrow. His gaze was cold as he looked at Lily one moment too long. As if he considered whether she deserved another moment of his attention at all. But there was something else in his gaze, well hidden beneath the coldness and disgust, the disapproval and the anger. It was disappointment. And Alexandre knew that he had dealt him a blow. Not as painful as he'd hoped. But that didn't matter anymore.

"It's been a long time." Her uncle said thoughtfully, as if he were emphasizing it for himself rather than greeting his niece. His pale yellow eyes were cold, icy. Eyes of a predator. All the warmth had drained from these eyes.

Icy chills were pouring down Lily's back after discovering the way her uncle looked at her. As if looking down upon a disgusting insect that had just crawled past at his feet.

Whatever she had hoped for, it remained stuck in her throat. Painful. As if she was choked.

Lily tried to smile, trying to excuse his reaction. In fact, it had been a long time since she had last seen her uncle. Perhaps he was simply disappointed by her sudden disappearance without telling him a word. She could not blame him. However, she fervently hoped that this was the only reason.

"Indeed, it's been a long time. I hope you have been well these past few years, Uncle?"

" That' s true. You seem to be doing well." His gaze fell on Alexandre, who stood next to her grinning broadly. But the way her uncle looked at Alexandre...

Never had she seen such disgust in her uncle's eyes. The world no longer made sense to her.

She only knew that expression from her father, who detested her. Blaming her for the death of his beloved first wife. But her uncle had never been like that. She couldn't say for sure that he loved her, but he had always been kind to her, had cared for her with the utmost fondness. Like she was something precious. He was different, unlike all the other relatives of the de Cocieux family who actually just ignored her. He was one of the few people who had taken good care of her.

But now this hesitation, his reluctance and his rejection. It was new to her. Immediately her lung contracted painfully as soon as she realized what that could mean.

Once more she looked into the predator-like eyes of her uncle, trying to find the friendly man she remembered. However, when she did not find him. Now she could only try to protect herself. She pulled the wall around her heart a bit higher.

Long ago, she had given up fighting for the love of others. Too often, she had waited outside closed doors. It wasn't worth the effort. Two lives could confirm this insight. She did not want to be abandoned by loved ones any longer. Without a reason.

She turned to Alexandre. "I've been well, Uncle, this is Alexandre, you must have heard about our marriage. He's a good husband indeed. You don't need to worry about me." Her voice sounded thin. The shock about her uncle's behavior must have been deeper than she thought.

"Alexandre de Valois, pleased to make your acquaintance." Smooth and elegant, Alexandre reached out his hand to greet him.

Gaston's gaze remained on the outstretched hand for a second too long before he finally grasped it. "Gaston de Cocieux, I'm delighted to meet you." Her uncle purred and surprised her once again with his pure disgust. What had happened to her lovely uncle, who used to send her a card and a present for every birthday. Who remembered her even though her own father had long forgotten her.

Her uncle leisurely took a sip from his glass. "You've grown up. "Every year you look more like your mother. No wonder such a fine man had taken such a liking to you." Gaston sounded mocking.

She could only nod silently. A hunk of words and feelings was stuck in her throat. But suddenly, a flash of lightning flared up in that man's face.

"Lillian, my dear little Lillian, we haven't seen you for a long time." A touch of gentleness stepped upon his emotionless mask. "What would you say to escorting your uncle to his break room. I'd like to have a little chat with my niece. We haven't seen each other in a long time and a lot seems to have happened in your life since then. Why don't you tell your dear uncle about it over a cup of tea."