I Ctrl+Alt+Deleted My Ex and Ctrl+C'd His Uncle novel Chapter 63

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

After a quick change of clothes, Sophie made her way down to the hotel lobby, her heart fluttering with anticipation. The atmosphere was heavy with the scent of rain, and she could hear the soft patter of droplets against the windowpanes.

Ryan stood there, clad in a stylish gray-blue suit that contrasted sharply with the dark, stormy weather outside. He held a black umbrella, its sleek surface glistening under the dim lights of the lobby. As he approached, a smile played upon his lips, and there was a warmth in his peach blossom eyes that made her feel a little less anxious.

“Let’s go. I know a little diner nearby that’s pretty good. Want to give it a try?” His voice was inviting, and Sophie felt a rush of relief wash over her.

She had only intended to express her gratitude, but the idea of sharing a meal with him felt comforting. “Of course,” she replied, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest.

“It’s close. Why don’t we just walk?” Ryan suggested, lifting the umbrella slightly to create a shelter for her.

Sophie had assumed she would be driving, so she hadn’t brought her own umbrella. Now, with Ryan offering his, it felt like a small act of kindness she couldn’t refuse.

Stepping beneath the umbrella, she became acutely aware of how close they were standing, the warmth radiating between them. She instinctively shifted a little to the side, but each time she moved, Ryan tilted the umbrella more in her direction, as if ensuring she remained dry at all costs.

By the time they reached the diner, Ryan’s shoulder and half of his suit were soaked through, while Sophie remained untouched by the rain.

As they settled into a cozy booth, Sophie’s gaze fell on his damp clothes, a pang of guilt hitting her. “Sorry… if I’d thought to bring another umbrella, you wouldn’t be drenched,” she said, her voice tinged with regret.

Ryan chuckled softly, his expression warm. “It’s fine. I should’ve brought a bigger one. I’m used to it.”

“See what you’d like to eat. Their food should be to your taste.” He slid the menu across the table, the gesture casual but considerate.

Sophie, not fully aware of the familiarity in his tone, quickly scanned the menu and ordered a few dishes, pushing it back toward him with a sense of finality. “You should order what you like too.”

Ryan closed the menu without even glancing at it. “I’ll just have the usual,” he said, handing it back to the owner who had just approached their table.

The owner’s face broke into a wide grin. “Ah, bringing your girlfriend today? I’ll throw in a special dish for you.”

Ryan didn’t deny the implication. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Once the owner had walked away, Ryan leaned in slightly, his tone turning serious. “I come here often. He knows me well and likes to joke around. Don’t mind him.”

“It’s fine. Why don’t we talk about Liam?” Sophie’s thoughts immediately shifted to the troubling transfers she had discovered.

The fleeting bitterness that had shadowed Ryan’s eyes vanished as he opened the screenshot Sophie had sent him earlier. “He transferred three sums: two for 131,452,000 and one for 52,000,000.”

Sophie felt a chill run down her spine. “All three carry symbolic meaning. Since you’re still technically engaged, if things turn sour, he can demand the money back at any time.”

At that, Sophie couldn’t hold back a curse. “That bastard!” Her voice was laced with anger and disbelief. The moment she had seen those numbers, a sinking feeling had settled in her stomach. It was clear now that Liam had orchestrated this with malicious intent!

“Don’t worry. I’ve thought of another approach,” Ryan reassured her, his eyes steady and focused.

He leaned forward, his brow furrowing slightly. “That rumor about you being pregnant before marriage—was it Liam’s doing?”

“If we can collect proof he spread it, we could use it against him,” Sophie replied, her voice barely above a whisper, the weight of the situation pressing down on her.

Her lips tightened as she pondered the implications. “And what if it isn’t just a rumor?”

Ryan froze, his eyes widening as he stared at her stomach in disbelief. “You… you really are pregnant?”

“Yes,” Sophie admitted, her heart racing. “But the child isn’t his.”

Ryan swallowed hard, the bitterness of the situation evident on his face. “If that’s true, then the situation is even more dangerous for you.”

“If we can prove Liam fabricated the pregnancy scandal, people might sympathize with you. With public support, we could pressure our way into reclaiming Liora. That would be your chance,” he explained, his voice filled with determination.

“But if he exposes that the child isn’t his, then sympathy will swing to his side. Not only would we fail to prove Liora belongs to you, but public opinion would also turn against us.”

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