Your Uncle’s My Husband Now Back Off, Ex! novel Chapter 71

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

Erin’s smile faltered, the edges of her lips tightening unexpectedly. Just as she prepared to voice her thoughts, Marie’s frustration erupted. She slammed her cutlery onto the table with a resounding clatter, her voice sharp as she directed her ire at Damon. “Damon, is that truly how you serve food?!”

Marie had envisioned a moment of connection, a chance for Damon to assist Erin with the dishes, hoping it would spark a bond between them. But instead, he had nearly placed the entire plate in front of Erin, a gesture that could easily offend the Hulles if they caught wind of it.

Damon turned to Marie, a playful smile dancing on his lips, though his eyes betrayed a hint of annoyance. “Mom, if you’re aware of my culinary incompetence, why would you put me in this position?”

Marie’s anger simmered just below the surface, her frustration about to boil over. Yet, before she could unleash her displeasure, Erin stepped in smoothly. “It’s really okay. I actually enjoy fish, and this way is much more convenient. There’s no need to keep bothering him to serve me.”

Seeing Erin’s willingness to defuse the situation, a wave of warmth washed over Marie. She couldn’t help but admire Erin’s thoughtfulness, her fondness for her growing deeper with each passing moment.

“Erin, you’re incredibly considerate. This brat only knows how to push my buttons. After dinner, make sure to take her home,” she instructed Damon, her tone firm yet tinged with affection.

Damon’s brow furrowed, ready to protest, but Erin interjected before he could voice his refusal. “There’s really no need for that. I drove myself here,” she said, her voice steady.

Deep down, Erin sensed Damon’s disinterest in her, and she realized that forcing him to drive her home would only create further distance. It was wiser to retreat for now, to bide her time and seize opportunities later when the moment was right.

With Builders Property and Prospectus Technology on the brink of a partnership, Erin knew she would have ample chances to draw closer to him in the future.

Marie, misinterpreting Damon’s aloofness as a slight against Erin, shot him a fierce glare.

Damon, however, remained unfazed, his expression one of cool detachment. He had never agreed to this blind date; it was a plan orchestrated solely by Marie. Had he known that the dinner was a matchmaking endeavor, he would have gladly excused himself. Erin’s gaze drifted to the couple sitting across from her. Observing the tender way Clark attended to Nyla, she couldn’t help but comment, “Mr. Clark is genuinely wonderful to Ms. Nyla.”

Damon chuckled softly, a hint of mischief in his voice. “If you’re so close, then why did she move out?”

Marie’s eyes widened in surprise, her brows knitting together in confusion. Nyla had moved out?

In truth, Marie had never fully embraced Nyla as her granddaughter-in-law.

Before Nyla and Clark tied the knot, the Jaystons had already faced financial ruin. Marie harbored suspicions that Nyla had married into the Sumners primarily for their wealth.

Yet, Clark had been unwavering in his devotion, kneeling at the front gate for three long days, proclaiming that he would marry no one else, and no one could change his mind. Eventually, Marie and Richard had relented, albeit reluctantly.

After their wedding, Nyla had displayed admirable behavior and maturity, gradually softening Marie’s initial bias against her. But now, with the revelation that Nyla had moved out, Marie felt her old dissatisfaction bubbling back to the surface.