“Is that so?” ire chimed in. “If this is the case, honestly, I’m ashamed to admit you as my older brother. You’re thirty-five years old and still single? Antony already has via at your age now.”


    “I thought only Mom’s mouth always spat out harsh words. Turns out yours is just as sharp,” dwin red at ire. “Listen to me. I choose to remain single because I want to, not because I’m not sought after by women. I don’t want to bebeled as a yboy like your ex-boyfriend who liked to bring women here and there but nevermitted to a rtionship, let alone marriage.” dwin’s sharp retort was directed at Antony.


    This time, Antony choked on his food. ire gently patted her husband’s back. It was evident that dwin’s usation was aimed at Antony and his past before marrying ire.


    “I’m afraid of karma. What if there’s a guy who ys with my niece or my child in the future? It’s one thing if it’s just a broken heart. But what if she ends up traumatized and refuses to know guys anymore?” dwin challenged, causing ire to smirk.


    “Well, if you can actually get a woman, introduce her to Mom quickly. Don’t let Mom really force you to take Phoebe to the civil registry office,” Antonyughed, while dwin cursed under his breath.


    “Can’t you, just for a day, not mention her name? It’s giving me a headache.” dwinined irritably.


    “If you don’t want a headache, quickly bring your potential future wife,” ire said again.


    “Well, I’m in the process. I’m starting to approach,” dwin replied casually.


    ire widened her eyes, looking at her brother with an incredulous expression. “Are you seriously making a move? On who?”


    dwin shrugged. “Someone. I’ll let you know if there are any new developments. For now, it’s enough for that woman to know that I’m making an effort to win her over. So she knows that my words aren’t just empty talk.” He answered seriously. His gaze was directed at via, who had been silent without anyments throughout the conversation.


    ire stared at her brother, and so did Antony. Whether dwin realized it or not, the attention of the girl’s parents he was pursuing was on him. ire looked at Antony, who could only give a slow nod.


    Yes, besides ire, Antony also knew the feelings of the two lovebirds, although neither of them dared to admit it. via’s arranged marriage with Eijaz was Antony’s idea, but he never forced his eldest daughter to ept it if she didn’t want to.


    Antony just wanted the best for via. ording to him, Eijaz was the right man because he was always there to support his daughter, even during the darkest times in her life, albeit all starting from an ident.


    Antony could also see how much Eijaz loved via. via seemedfortable around him, even though her feelings for him were not as profound as Eijaz’s love for her. It didn’t evene close to via’s feelings for dwin.


    However, like most parents, Antony always hoped for via’s happiness with whomever she chose. Even though he knew that if his daughter chose dwin, she would have to fight longer for her happiness.


    The challenge in their rtionship wasn’t Antony, ire, or public opinion. Their biggest challenge was dwin’s mother, who was also Antony’s mother-inw and via’s step-grandmother.


    That woman was the one via and dwin had to contend with. And going against her was certainly not an easy task. They had to hold each other’s hands. They had to support each other. If one of them gave up, they would return to square one. Antony knew his daughter well. Although she was a fighter, she would surrender if the stakes were the happiness of someone she loved.


    Antony gazed at via, who still kept her head down, focusing on her te. His daughter had indeed be quietertely. However, during family gatherings like this, she was usually more talkative. Antony knew the reason for her current silence – it was dwin Hampton.


    “dwin Hampton,


    “I won’t be driving you to school. Tobby is at the market, taking the kitchen staff shopping. So, Uncle dwin will drop you off.” Antony spoke without seeking the owner of the car’s permission. “via too, just let Uncle drive you.” Antony nced at ire, seemingly seeking her approval, and saw his wife nodding. Meanwhile, via just looked at her father and uncle with clear surprise in her eyes.


    “B-but,” via interjected.


    “Alright. We’re going to the hospital anyway. Our destination is the same.” dwin quickly interrupted before via could refuse or offer another option.


    “I’m not going to the Korean cafe, Uncle. I have an appointment elsewhere.” She politely declined, and dwin tried to contain his smile, as he had anticipated his niece’s response.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    “That’s fine. I’ll still take you. My schedule is rxed today.” dwin replied, finishing his ss of water.


    “But…”


    “Instead of taking a taxi driven by someone else, which can be dangerous, considering crimes are everywhere nowadays. You never know if there’s a taxi driver kidnapping passengers under the pretext of getting lost, taking them to a toll road iming a wrong turn. Do you want to be a victim?” dwin looked at via with a sharp gaze, while via shivered in horror at her uncle’s words. Reluctantly, she nodded in agreement.


    dwin smiled sweetly-so sweetly that it made via feel weak in the knees, unable to stand.


    “I’m done, all finished. Come on, Uncle.” Ignazio had indeed finished his meal, maybe even a few minutes ago. However, the young boy seemed to intentionally let the adults finish their conversation.


    dwin nodded again, rising from his seat and inviting Francisca to join him. “I’ll grab my bag first,” via said quietly, leaving the dining table.


    “Don’t rush, dear. Don’t run,” ire shouted. via, who had almost run, abandoned her intention and opted to walk quickly.


    “Where are you going now?” dwin asked after dropping off Ignazio and Francisca at their school. The question confused via because she hadn’t nned to visit any cafe today and was actually heading home. But she couldn’t tell dwin, let alone invite him there.


    “Just take me to the Korean cafe. Uncle wants to go to the hospital, right?”


    “But didn’t you say earlier that you had to go somewhere else?”


    “Uh… that… um…” via stammered.


    “If you don’t have any ns, would you apany me shopping?” via looked at her uncle in confusion. “I’m off today. I was nning to stock up my apartment’s fridge. Do you want to join me in shopping?” he persuaded.


    via was torn between agreeing or refusing. On one hand, she wanted to follow her uncle wherever he went. On the other hand, she wanted to maintain some distance. But it seemed that dwin didn’t need any answer from her. Without via saying anything, he had already made the decision for the two of them.