Chapter 35 You Belong to Me

Hearing those words, I froze completely, my jaw nearly hitting the floor. My emotions churned into a chaotic mess. "Uncle Benjamin! There's been a misunderstanding…" I had barely started to explain when, as if coordinated, Lila and Yvette both swiftly shoved a plate of sliced apples into my uncle's hands. Lila's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she asked, "Benjamin, what were you whispering about with Owen just now?" Uncle Benjamin accepted the fruit plate with a warm smile. His attention was solely on Lila, ignoring Yvette entirely. "I prepared gifts for you two. Have you opened them yet?" he asked Lila kindly. Yvette, who stood beside him, simply maintained her dignified composure. Lila cheerfully pulled out a pendant from around her neck. It was a half-circle with a bird carved onto it, beautifully intricate. "I've already opened mine!" she said happily. He nodded, then turned to me. "Owen, what about yours?" A sense of dread swept over me, and it grew stronger as I looked at