Your Uncle’s My Husband Now Back Off, Ex! novel Chapter 69

**TITLE: Through Unseen Doors We Step Into Untold Worlds Beyond by Sage Hunter Lane 69**

Damon sat in his office at Prospectus Technology, surrounded by a mountain of documents that demanded his attention. The fluorescent lights above hummed softly, casting a sterile glow over the cluttered desk, where papers lay strewn about like fallen leaves in autumn. Just as he was about to dive back into the intricate details of his work, his personal phone rang, slicing through the silence like a knife.

He picked up the phone, and Marie’s vibrant voice boomed through the receiver, filling the room with an unmistakable authority. “Damon, come home for dinner tonight.”

Damon’s gaze flickered to the daunting pile of unfinished tasks before him, and without a moment’s hesitation, he replied, “I’m busy.”

Marie’s voice turned steely, a tone that brooked no argument. “No matter what, you must make time tonight. Otherwise, I’ll come to your office and drag you home myself.”

Her words hung in the air, and Damon felt a sense of helplessness wash over him. It was as if her insistence had woven itself into the very fabric of his day.

“There’s too much to do today. I really can’t make it,” he protested, his voice tinged with frustration.

“No excuses. You must come back for dinner. Even with your busy schedule, you can always spare time for a meal,” Marie insisted, her resolve unyielding.

Before he could muster a retort, the line went dead, leaving Damon staring at the phone in disbelief.

By the time Nyla and Clark had finished moving her belongings back to the villa, the clock had already crept past 4:00 p.m. The day had slipped away, and the sun began to cast long shadows across the ground. After a refreshing shower and a quick change of clothes, they set off towards the Sumner residence, anticipation mingling with unease.

As Clark pulled the car to a stop at the entrance, Damon was just about to step inside. The sound of the engine caught his attention, and he turned, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the license plate. A wave of distant memories washed over him, and his expression turned pensive.

Inside the car, Nyla was the first to spot Damon. A shiver ran down her spine, and she instinctively tightened her grip on the seatbelt, as if it could shield her from the tension that hung in the air.

Clark, too, noticed Damon, and his demeanor shifted, the light in his eyes dimming. “Let’s get out,” he said, his voice low and serious.

The moment Nyla stepped out of the car, Clark reached for her hand, enveloping it in his. A wave of discomfort washed over her. If it weren’t for Damon’s watchful gaze, she would have pulled away from Clark’s touch without a second thought.

Clark, unaware of her internal struggle, flashed a smile and guided her toward Damon. “Uncle Damon, what a coincidence,” he announced, his tone cheerful but strained.

Clark led Nyla into the living room, where Damon was already seated on the sofa, engaged in conversation with Richard and Marie.

Upon catching sight of the smiles illuminating Richard and Marie’s faces, Clark felt a dark cloud settle over him. No matter how hard he tried to bridge the gap, their warmth seemed to radiate exclusively toward Damon, leaving him feeling like an outsider in his own family.

“Grandpa, Grandma,” the couple greeted, their voices bright and cheerful.

Marie’s gaze fell upon Clark and Nyla, her smile widening. “Clark, Nyla, you’re here! Have a seat. Ms. Hulle will be here shortly.”

After exchanging polite greetings with the elders, Nyla settled into a chair next to Clark, deliberately maintaining a slight distance. Marie, preoccupied with her own thoughts, didn’t pay much attention to their subtle dynamics. After all, their presence was merely a formality for the evening.

“Damon, do you remember what I told you earlier? Be attentive to Ms. Hulle tonight, or I won’t forgive you!” Marie’s voice rang out, and Damon’s peripheral vision caught sight of Nyla, who was staring at the floor, lost in her own thoughts.

Noticing her lack of reaction to Marie’s words, Damon’s demeanor turned even colder, as if a winter chill had settled over the room.