Trading My Ex for His Uncle

Brandon didn't respond. He stepped out of the elevator, seized Valarie's wrist, and yanked her behind him.

Valarie nearly lost her balance. As she steadied herself, she heard his cold

warning. "Stefan, stay away from Valarie. If you don't, you won't be able to handle the consequences."

Stefan met his gaze, his expression unreadable. "Mr. Sumner, you just made her almost fall. Let go of her."

Brandon let out a sarcastic laugh. "She's my girlfriend. It's none of your business." Valarie immediately yanked her wrist free. "Brandon, what the hell is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this in the middle of the night?"

Brandon turned to her. "And what about you? What are you doing here so late? Don't tell me you've actually fallen for this kid who's younger than me."

At first, he hadn't taken Stefan seriously. He had assumed Valarie was just using him to get back at him.

But as she grew kinder to Stefan, panic began to creep in.

Brandon was terrified that she really liked Stefan and that she didn't want him anymore.

Valarie rubbed her sore wrist, her patience wearing thin. "How is that any of your business?"

"Valarie, I gave you time because I thought you'd come to your senses. But don't you think you're going too far now?" Brandon demanded.

Valarie exhaled sharply and turned to Stefan. "Go back to your mom's room. She needs someone with her."

"I'm not leaving. If he tries anything, I can protect you," Stefan insisted.

Brandon scoffed. "You? Protect her? You're nothing more than a distraction. What makes you think you have the right to talk like that?"

"Brandon!" Valarie's voice cut through the air. Her eyes burned with fury. "If you say one more word like that, I won't forgive you."

Brandon stared at her in disbelief. "Valarie... you'd say something like that to me because of him?"

"This is a hospital. I don't want to argue with you here," Valarie said coldly. "If you want to stand around all night, be my guest."

With that, she turned and walked toward the stairwell.

Brandon moved to follow, but Stefan stepped in front of him. "Mr. Sumner, it seems she doesn't want to see you."

Brandon sneered. "Stefan, you're just a broke university student. Do you really think Valarie would actually like you? She's playing with you. If you were smart, you'd walk away. Otherwise, I can make your life hell." noveldrama

Stefan clenched his fists. "Oh? I'd love to see what you can do."

"You don't want to find out," Brandon said darkly. "Besides, you had your own reasons for getting close to Valarie, didn't you? I already looked into it You and Michelle are

ver

half-siblings. If Valarie finds out, do you really think she'll forgive you?"

Stefan tensed, his grip on Brandon's arm tightening without thinking.

Brandon's gaze turned icy as he shoved Stefan aside and strode toward the stairwell.

He caught up with Valarie at the hospital entrance and blocked her path. "Valarie... let's talk."

"There's nothing to talk about," Valarie replied flatly. "Brandon, you weren't like this before."

The man she once knew would never have said such things.

Brandon looked at her, desperation in his eyes. "Valarie, I know I crossed a line tonight, but I was terrified of losing you. Be mad at me all you want, but please... don't fall for someone else."

Valarie's heart ached as she looked at him.

After a long pause, she turned her gaze away. "Brandon... I don't even know if I

still want to be with you. I don't even know if I still love you."