Trading My Ex for His Uncle

As they walked into the living room, Damon broke the silence. "Why did you accept the money instead of insisting on a public apology?"

Nyla replied, "Even if she apologized, it wouldn't be sincere. Clark managed to persuade her to apologize privately because he doesn't want this to go public. If I had kept insisting, it would have only backfired." Damon studied her. "So, your goal was always just the money?"

Nyla nodded. "Yes. If I had asked for the money myself, Clark might have accused me of extortion through his lawyers."

Damon fell silent, his gaze distant as he pondered this. When he didn't speak again, Nyla turned to head

back to her room.

After a few steps, Damon's voice, tinged with resignation, came from behind her. "Nyla, if you just wanted the money, you didn't have to scheme like that. You could have told me directly. I could have helped you." Nyla paused and looked back at him, her eyes filled with an unreadable emotion. "I'm scheming against Clark. He's your family. Don't you feel uncomfortable about that?"NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.

She had deliberately agreed to Clark's terms before Damon to make him aware of her calculations. against Clark.

If Damon couldn't accept it, it would be better to part ways before she fell deeply in love with him.

Damon frowned, his gaze intense. "Do you think I'm someone who can't discern right from wrong?"

Nyla bit her lip. "I don't think that. It's just that, ultimately, Clark is your family...

"You are the one I care about. Never mind that Clark was at fault. Even if it were your mistake, I would still stand by you," Damon declared.

Seeing his serious expression, Nyla blinked, her heart overwhelmed. She looked down and smiled bitterly. "But... you might one day find that I'm not worth this."

"That day will never come," Damon said as he moved closer, leaning in to look her in the eyes. "I care about you, so whatever I do for you, I won't regret it. It's not about whether it's worth it because it's what I choose to do." Nyla's hands tightened subconsciously at her sides, and she instinctively looked away, unable to meet his intense gaze.

"Nyla, why can't you be a little braver?" Damon asked.

He wasn't like Clark. Once he decided on her, he wouldn't look at another woman.

Nyla closed her eyes, feeling a pang of sorrow.

She wanted to be brave and love Damon wholeheartedly, but she had outgrown the reckless optimism of youth. She no longer believed that love could overcome all obstacles.

To her, love had become something she dared not hope for.

Despite this, Damon's words stirred a desire within her a longing to love someone fully again.

Seeing her so distressed and lost, Damon didn't want to pressure her any further. He pulled her into his embrace. "It's okay if you can't now. I can wait."

Nyla wrapped her arms around him, her voice hushed and rough. "I'm sorry."

Although she no longer loved Clark, the pain from his betrayal still lingered. She was afraid to open her heart again, fearing more hurt.

"I'm not blaming you. It's not your fault. I just didn't do well enough," Damon said.

Nyla shook her head, tears almost falling. "No, you've done well."

The truth was, she was too afraid and hesitant. She feared getting hurt again and worried that Damon would discover she was no different from other women.