Niall raised his chin, projecting an air of indifference while maintaining his silence.
Aware that his sharp tongue concealed a softer side, Helen felt no barrier between them. With a playful smile, she asked, "So, Uncle Niall, can I count on you in the future?"
Niall paused, his gaze drifting down as he weighed her words. He then turned to her and said, "We might argue, but when have I ever said I wouldn't have your back?"
The Haywell family was genuinely filled with kind-hearted individuals. A warmth blossomed in Helen's chest, as if she could almost hear Kaylee calling to her. She opened her arms and gently embraced Niall. "Thank you, Uncle Niall."
Niall's heart raced, and he inhaled sharply, fighting back a smile. "No problem," he replied casually.
Finally, his beloved niece had worked her charm on him.
Niall let out a cough and playfully pushed her away. He pretended to be annoyed as he put some space between them. "You're all grown up now! Stop being so clingy! Watch out, or people will start teasing you!"
"Let them laugh. I don't care," Helen said, linking her arm through his. "They're just jealous that I have such an amazing uncle. I'm not worried at all!"
Niall's tense expression finally melted into a smile as they walked together. "You really do think on your feet, don't you? Who knows? One day, you might end up resenting me for meddling too much in your life!"
"Not a chance! I actually like it when you keep an eye on me!"
Helen felt as if she had seamlessly stepped into Kaylee's world. There were so many people in the Haywell family who adored her. Surrounded by such warmth, even the toughest heart would inevitably soften.
When Helen looked back, she noticed Niall had rolled up his pant leg, exposing a large bruise on his knee. It was hard to believe he had just used that leg to kick Diego earlier.
"How did you get hurt?" Helen asked, crouching down to inspect the injury more closely.
The severity of the bruise indicated it had been untreated for a while. Considering the Haywell family's financial resources, it was surprising that this had happened.
"Don't you remember?" Claude asked.
Helen looked up, her face a mix of confusion. "Did this have anything to do with me?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Unmasking Mrs. Newton's Secret Identities