I Ctrl+Alt+Deleted My Ex and Ctrl+C'd His Uncle novel Chapter 81

**Through Silent Meadows We Trace Stories Left Behind Yesterday**

In the quiet confines of the second-floor bedroom, Lena’s gaze lingered on the retreating silhouette of Sophie, her heart simmering with envy. The sight of her sister, so carefree and radiant, ignited a storm of emotions within Lena.

Sophie had not only humiliated her at the Starlight Cup but now, it seemed, she was attempting to steal away her brother’s affections. This was something Lena simply could not abide.

With determination etched on her face, Lena strode into Irene’s bedroom, a glass of spiked wine clutched tightly in her hand. The intoxicating aroma wafted through the air, mingling with the underlying tension that filled the room.

As soon as Irene caught sight of her daughter, her expression darkened instantly. “You were holed up in your room before, and now you come here? What do you want?” she snapped, her irritation palpable.

Irene sat on the edge of her bed, pressing an ice pack to her swollen cheek, a clear sign of her distress.

“I thought you might appreciate a little something to lift your spirits,” Lena replied, her voice steady as she extended the glass toward her mother. Irene grunted in response, snatching the drink from Lena’s hand and downing it in one swift motion.

“At least you know how to please me. I didn’t waste my time raising you,” Irene muttered, her tone laced with a mix of sarcasm and genuine relief as the wine began to take effect.

Lena remained silent, observing as her mother continued to drink glass after glass, the tension slowly dissipating with each sip. Eventually, Irene succumbed to the alcohol’s embrace, her body slumping into a deep slumber.

Just then, Liam stumbled into the room, clearly intoxicated and disoriented. “Mom, the guests have left. Can we just forget about today?” he mumbled, his eyes widening as he noticed his mother had fallen asleep.

Lena rose from her spot and approached him, her expression softening. “Brother, Mom’s asleep. We can talk about everything tomorrow.”

“Alright, I’ll go rest then. I’ve had too much to drink; my head feels like it’s about to explode,” Liam groaned, massaging his temples as he trudged toward his bedroom.

Lena, ever the dutiful sister, linked her arm with his. “Let me help you back to your room,” she offered, her voice soothing as they walked together.

Once inside his bedroom, Liam paused, a frown creasing his brow. “What’s that smell? It’s… so nice.”

Lena smiled softly, her heart fluttering at the ambient scent of the incense she had lit earlier, filling the room with an inviting aroma.

“How do you feel now, brother?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as she slowly began to unbutton his shirt, allowing the fragrance to envelop them both.

“I… I…” Liam stammered, his eyes glazing over as he swayed slightly, caught in the haze of the moment.

“Before you marry, let me be your woman. Will you?” Lena’s voice was a seductive whisper, laced with a mix of hope and longing.

—

The next morning unfolded with a sense of anticipation. Sophie stood at the airport, her heart racing as she awaited Chandler’s flight.

When she spotted the plane descending, her previous anxieties melted away, replaced by a wave of excitement.

Quickly, she applied a touch of light makeup and slipped into the dress that Chandler had gifted her for her birthday, a garment that made her feel cherished and beautiful.

As she scanned the crowd, her eyes landed on the tall figure of her brother, Ethan Chandler, who stood nearly six feet tall, unmistakable in his black cardigan. He looked just as she remembered, warm and welcoming, as if he had never left.

When Ethan had gone abroad to pursue his business ventures, Sophie was just eighteen, and the news of his departure had shattered her. She had cried for days, her heart heavy with sadness.

To console her, Ethan had stayed in Riverland for an entire week before leaving, a gesture that had meant the world to her. But since then, his visits had been infrequent, limited to holidays and special occasions. Last year, he had missed her birthday due to urgent matters, leaving Sophie feeling abandoned and upset. This year, however, he had promised to stay longer.

As memories of being pampered by her brother flooded her mind, Sophie felt a familiar ache in her heart.

“Why are you crying when you see your brother?” Ethan’s voice, as warm as a summer breeze, made Sophie’s tears flow even more freely.

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