I Ctrl+Alt+Deleted My Ex and Ctrl+C'd His Uncle novel Chapter 62

**Through Silent Meadows We Trace Stories Left Behind Yesterday by Asa Rowan Flint**

**Chapter 62**

“You still have a slight fever,” Marcus said, his voice firm yet gentle as he withdrew his hand. “You should take it easy at the hotel today. We can discuss dinner tomorrow.”

“Alright, I’ll go rest,” Sophie replied, her tone subdued.

As she turned away, her head hung low, her hurried steps echoed her turbulent emotions. Each stride felt heavier, laden with thoughts she couldn’t quite articulate.

Once Sophie had vanished from view, Marcus allowed himself a moment to reflect on the warmth that lingered on his fingertips, a sensation that had not yet dissipated. It was as if that brief contact had ignited something deep within him, a warmth that spread from his skin into the very core of his being.

In the solitude of her room, Sophie rushed to the full-length mirror, her heart racing. As she caught her reflection, her cheeks flushed a bright crimson, confirming her suspicions.

“Is it really just a polite temperature check that has me blushing like this?” she thought, incredulous. “How utterly ridiculous!”

Hugging her blanket tightly, she flopped onto her bed, rolling back and forth in a futile attempt to find comfort. Her heart was in disarray, fluttering like a trapped bird.

Why did she feel this growing familiarity with Marcus? Was it a positive change, or was it fraught with complications?

Ding ding ding…

The sudden buzz of her phone jolted her from her reverie. She glanced at the caller ID and answered, her heart still racing.

“Mom, why are you calling me so early?” she asked, trying to mask her unease.

“Sophie, what is your relationship with Mr. Morgan?” her mother’s voice was unusually stern, sending a wave of anxiety through Sophie.

A startled breath caught in her throat. “Mom, why are you being so serious?”

Just yesterday, after the scandal about her supposed pregnancy had erupted online, her mother had spoken to her with such kindness.

Why the sudden shift in tone?

“Sophie, after our call yesterday, your father and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. A man like Mr. Morgan wouldn’t step in to help you without having some ulterior motives. This is clearly suspicious.”

“We also saw what happened with that wealthy girl, Celine. He’s ruthless and unpredictable—one moment he may protect you, the next he could destroy you.”

“Mom, that incident with Celine was not Marcus’s fault. Please don’t let those online trolls sway your judgment,” Sophie pleaded, her voice rising slightly.

Her mother paused, clearly taken aback. “Sophie, what did you just call him?”

Sophie’s heart sank, realizing she had slipped. “I… I meant he’s Liam’s uncle. By seniority, you should be calling him ‘Uncle’ too. But yesterday, when he answered the phone for you, he actually called me ‘Auntie.’ Doesn’t that make his intentions clear?”

Sophie felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

“Sophie, be honest with me,” her mother pressed, her tone softening but still laden with concern. “What is your relationship with Mr. Morgan?”

“Mom, a lot has happened recently, and I haven’t quite figured out how to explain it all yet. All I can say is that Marcus isn’t my enemy right now. He’s not going to turn against me. You and Dad can relax about that.”

But how could she articulate the complex feelings swirling within her regarding Marcus?

“Sophie, we’re not worried about him being hostile. We’re worried about him being too close to you…”

Before her mother could finish her thought, a knock on the door interrupted, and Sophie seized the opportunity to escape the conversation.

Liam’s tone softened, but Sophie felt nothing but disgust.

He was such a skilled performer—why hadn’t he considered a career in show business?

Not wanting to sever ties completely, Sophie replied flatly, “Since the rumor has been silenced, I won’t pursue it any further.”

“You asked for a date, and I went with you. So when are you transferring the money to my account?”

“I’m glad you’ve forgiven me. I’ll transfer it right away.”

Without another word, Sophie ended the call, feeling a mix of relief and annoyance.

Moments later, a bank notification pinged on her phone. She frowned at the amount, taking a screenshot and sending it to Ryan with a simple message:

“Mr. Mason, is this kind of transfer valid?”

Almost immediately, Ryan called her back. “Still awake?” His voice was calm and soothing.

“Yeah. I just spoke with Liam, and something feels off about the amount he transferred, so I thought I’d check with you.”

“I’m actually downstairs at the hotel. Want to come out for a late-night snack? We can talk about Liam’s transfer in person.”

“Sure, I’ll change and come down. Just give me a minute.”

“It’s drizzling outside—make sure to bring an extra layer,” Ryan advised.

A flicker of unease danced in Sophie’s chest, but she brushed it aside. She had more pressing matters to attend to.