Love, it''s a word that cuts deep. You don''t need weapons to feel its sting.


    Selena stayed quiet, lost in her thoughts. ine watched her without pushing for a response. He knew these things required time to sort out; running away wouldn''t solve anything if the heart was still tangled up.


    She''d left everything once before and wasn''t keen to do it again, especially with two kids in tow. He got that.


    Out of the blue, ine stood up and made his way to the bed, sitting beside her. He gave his shoulder a gentle pat.


    "Here, lean on me if you need to let it out."


    Selena felt a wave of warmth wash over her. Despite suddenly having a new uncle, there was something about family ties that was undeniable. She found herself dropping her guard around him.


    Not one to make a fuss, Selena realized she did need a shoulder to lean on. Just as she was about to, ine casually remarked, "This jacket''s pricey, so watch those tears. If it gets messy, you owe me."


    Selena just stared at him, speechless. That cheekyment of his.


    Annoyed, she yanked his coat and wiped her tears and nose on it without a second thought.


    ine was dumbfounded.


    Just then, Ava walked back in. She''d taken Mateo to Uncle Brook''s ce, where he was being looked after. She didn''t expect to find herdy in tears so soon after.


    "Crying during postpartum? That''s terrible for your recovery!" Ava red at ine, "Madam, did he upset you?"


    ine, caught in the crossfire, was speechless.


    Ava, fiercely protective, was ready to take on anyone, ine included, if it meant defending herdy.


    "Nobody messes with my mistress," she dered.


    Selena quickly wiped away her tears and reassured Ava, "No, no, Ava, you''ve got it all wrong."


    The whole situation with ine was tooplex to exin right then, so she just asked him to leave since it was gettingte.


    ine had rushed back from France when he heard about her difficult delivery. He came just to make sure she was okay, and now, seeing her safe, he felt at


    ease.


    He shrugged off his now-soggy coat, draping it over his arm, and gently ruffled Selena''s hair. "I''m off then."


    Selena gave a soft nod, murmuring, "I''ll think seriously about what you said."


    ine smiled and nodded back.


    Once he was gone, Ava, full of curiosity, leaned in and asked bluntly, "Madam, be honest, is Mr. Bane into you?"


    Everett, the one who should be there, was nowhere in sight, but Mr. Bane showed up in the dead of night. If that''s not interest, what is?


    Selena didn''t keep it from Ava, knowing they''d be living together. She chuckled and said, "He''s my uncle, by blood."


    "Wow..." Ava was stunned.


    720


    Mr. Bane looked so young, barely older than her mistress, yet he was her uncle? But looking closer,


    did share some features, both


    striking in their appearance


    A weekter, Selena was discharged and returned home to continue her recovery.


    Ava, well-versed in postpartum care,


    looked after her diligently. But this time, the difficult delivery had taken a tolband Selena wasn''t bouncing back as quickly.


    Ava suspected it wasn''t just physical fatigue but emotional wounds holding her back. She used to vent about Everett at home, but now she avoided mentioning him altogether, even steering clear of words that sounded like his name.