My First Love Died, Now My Step Uncle Wants Me-Chapter 95: Be With Me

Nina Wynn stood in the shadows, her gaze lost on the figure on a balcony not far away.

In a daze, she felt as if she had returned to a time many years ago.

A sense of inferiority bloomed uncontrollably from the depths of her heart.

Back then, there were many nights she had stood just like this, hiding in a dark corner, a forgotten weed gazing secretly at the sun of her heart.

The girl she was back then never dared to imagine that one day Caleb Rhodes would hold her in his arms and kiss her.

She had never even dreamed of it!

But now that it had actually happened, she found it both pathetic and laughable.

’So what if it happened? A pathetic plaything is still only fit to gaze up from the shadows.’

She watched Caleb Rhodes smoke on the balcony. He seemed to be smoking heavily; the orange-red ember glowed intermittently before vanishing after a short while.

In the time it took to finish one cigarette, Rosalind Lowell appeared behind him and wrapped her arms around him from behind in an incredibly intimate embrace.

Then, for some reason, Rosalind let him go. They said something to each other that Nina couldn’t hear, and soon they went back inside.

Nina was a little dazed, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists.

The wind on the mountaintop was strong, and the snow was even heavier. Both seemed to have eyes, relentlessly pouring into the wound in her heart.

She felt the pain there growing more intense.

It hurt even more than the day her aunt had abandoned her!

She stared at the brightly lit window for a while before picking up her phone.

This time, it was Caleb Rhodes who answered.

His voice was a little gentler than usual. "It’s so late. Why aren’t you asleep yet?"

Out in the wind and snow, Nina shivered. She gripped her phone tightly and said in a small voice, "Uncle, where are you? I can’t really sleep... I miss you a little."

Caleb Rhodes’s voice didn’t sound quite so cold. "I’m out taking care of something. I won’t be back tonight. Be good, Nina. Go to sleep on your own. I’ll be back by the time you wake up tomorrow morning."

A tightness constricted her chest. She was gripping her phone so hard her knuckles turned white.

’So, he isn’t naturally cold and aloof,’ she thought. ’He’s not so distant when he’s with someone he likes.’

She looked at the window not far away, where she could still faintly make out blurry silhouettes.

She said softly, "Is it about Miss Lowell? Is she sick again?"

Caleb Rhodes was silent for a moment before saying in a low voice, "Don’t overthink it. It’s not about Rosalind. It’s late. If you can’t sleep, get up and watch some TV, or ask Warner Zimmerman to get you something to eat."

Nina fell silent as well, holding the phone without a word.

After a good while, a very faint female voice came from Caleb’s end. "Caleb, hurry up..."

It was a very, very soft voice, but Nina still heard it.

Her fingertips trembled. She said lightly, "Uncle, I’m getting a little sleepy. You should get back to what you were doing."

Without waiting for Caleb Rhodes to reply, she hung up the phone.

She felt the wind grow stronger, the snow heavier. In this world of ice and snow, she felt a little tired.

She stared motionlessly at the window glowing with a soft light, as lifeless as an ice sculpture.

Just then, a large black umbrella opened over her head, and a moment later, a fluffy blanket was draped over her shoulders.

Finn Prescott frowned as he shoved a hand warmer into her hands. "You like the snow this much? I just made a phone call, and you ran down here. Can’t you watch from the car?"

Nina didn’t speak, still staring motionless at the window.

Finn Prescott followed her gaze and saw the beautiful villa.

It was the only house on the entire mountaintop with its lights on, making it particularly eye-catching and beautiful.

He raised an eyebrow, draping an arm around Nina’s shoulders. "You like this kind of house?" he asked lazily.

Nina said softly, "The starry sky ceiling inside must be beautiful. Lying in there with the person you love, watching the stars in summer, the sunset in autumn, and the snow in winter... It’s so romantic."

Finn Prescott chuckled. "You’ve got high standards, little thing. You like the houses here? My brother developed and built them. How about I get him to give you a discount?"

Nina pulled her gaze back and said flatly, "Young Prescott, there’s no need to mock me. I know I’m not worthy."

’A place like this is naturally for a top-tier heiress like Rosalind Lowell, who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. How could a little flower, a blade of grass like me who grew up in the shadows, ever deserve such a wonderful place?’

Finn Prescott’s smile vanished. He flicked her on the forehead and said in a low voice, "What are you talking about?"

"What’s this about being worthy or not? Do you really like this place?"

Nina didn’t answer. She clutched the hand warmer, pressed it to her cheek, and said softly, "Young Prescott, do you like to drink? How about I treat you to a drink?"

Finn Prescott was a bit surprised. "Didn’t you say you didn’t have money to treat me to a meal?"

Nina lowered her eyes and said flatly, "I have enough for this. Are you coming?"

Finn Prescott looked at her with a half-smile. "Not watching the snow anymore?"

Nina felt as if all the snow was now crashing down on her chest, both painful and cold.

She turned and walked toward the car. "I’m done watching. Let’s go back."

Finn Prescott could tell something was off with her, but ever since he’d met Nina, none of their encounters had ever been normal. So, he didn’t find it particularly strange.

The car did a loop on the mountaintop and quickly descended.

Nina gave directions, having Finn Prescott drive to a small street outside her rented apartment.

Despite the strong wind and heavy snow, the area was still filled with the lively, bustling air of everyday life.

At a small barbecue stall, Nina ordered a lot of skewers, a dozen grilled oysters, and grilled eggplant, specifically requesting minced meat on the eggplant.

Under the dim lights, the owner of the barbecue stall smiled at Nina. "It’s been a while, little lady."

Nina smiled back. "It has been quite a while."

The nimble owner, while adding spices to the skewers, sized up the tall man beside Nina. "Little lady, is this your boyfriend? He looks so impressive!"

Nina just smiled, not answering.

Finn Prescott wrapped an arm around her shoulder, glanced at the stall’s simple decor and greasy tables and chairs, and whispered in her ear, "This is what you’re treating me to?"

Nina pushed his hand away and said in a low voice, "If you don’t want to eat, then don’t. I’ll eat it myself."

Finn Prescott tsked. "Is it so embarrassing for you to have me called your boyfriend?"

Nina remained silent, turning to the owner to order a few bottles of beer.

Soon, Nina was heading upstairs with the food.

Finn Prescott saw the state of the apartment building and frowned, but he followed her up anyway.

She hadn’t been back in a few days, and a thin layer of dust had settled, but it was still clear that the apartment was kept very tidy.

Nina quickly dusted things off, placed the barbecue on the table, and took out a small space heater, turning it on.

The room was small, but the orange glow of the heater quickly brought a bit of warmth to it.

Nina took off her coat, poured the beer into a teapot, added a few slices of ginger and a splash of rice wine, and began to heat it. After a while, a sweet, fragrant aroma of wine filled the room.

Since entering the apartment, Finn Prescott hadn’t said a word. He sat silently on the small sofa in the living room, watching Nina bustle about.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, so the small sofa seemed too tiny for him. He had to bend one leg, which only made his legs look even longer.

He didn’t speak, just watched Nina, the meaning in his eyes growing deeper.

After a while, he watched Nina find two glass cups and pour the warmed beer into them before finally speaking. "This is your place?"

The hot steam clouded Nina’s eyes. The entire time, from coming down the mountain until now, she had been in a fog. Her mind was a buzzing mess, and she was running entirely on instinct.

Now, enveloped by the warm alcoholic vapor, her eyes felt moist, and her chest felt tight with a dull ache.

She took a large gulp of the warm beer, feeling it warm her chest slightly. "Master Prescott has never been to such a shabby place, has he?"

She was only wearing a thin sweater. Its cream-white color made her skin look even fairer, her hair even darker, and her lips a vivid, tempting red, as if beckoning someone to kiss them.

The clothes she wore had all been personally chosen by Caleb Rhodes. The quality and style were top-notch and clearly expensive. Dressed like this, Nina looked completely out of place in the old, worn-down apartment.

Now, after drinking a little, her small face was slightly flushed, and her eyes were misty, making her look exceptionally beautiful.

Finn Prescott had been staring at her the whole time, but she didn’t pay it much mind. She raised her cup and took another drink. "Come on, eat. The beer tastes pretty good when you heat it like this."

Finn Prescott still didn’t move, just stared intently at her.

Nina let out a self-deprecating chuckle. "I forgot. Master Prescott is also a noble young master from a wealthy family. You’ve probably never eaten anything this cheap. But trying it once in a while won’t kill you."

With that, she picked up a grilled oyster, pushed aside the seasoning on top, and ate it.

It was a bit spicy. Nina felt her lips swell after just one bite.

But she didn’t care. She moved on to the grilled eggplant, but after two bites, she started coughing and had to take a big gulp from her cup.

She rarely ate such spicy food, but for some reason, today she just wanted to. She wanted to eat a lot of it and drink a lot of alcohol.

She remembered someone once telling her that when you’re unhappy, you should eat things you never dared to eat before. They said you might discover a whole new world, and your mood would improve.

That person was right. The spicy food seemed to warm her stomach, but the pain in her chest didn’t lessen one bit.

She took another sip of beer and choked, starting to cough again.

Finn Prescott couldn’t watch any longer. He strode forward and snatched the cup from her hand, his expression dark. "If you can’t handle it, then don’t drink!"

Nina chuckled lightly. "Master Prescott, you should have some too. I’ve never invited a guy to drink with me before. You’re the first."

Finn Prescott stared at her for a moment, then drank from the same cup she had used.

It tasted better than he expected. There was only a hint of alcohol; it was sweet, more like a soft drink.

Nina saw him take a sip but paid him no mind, refilling the cup.

No longer caring that Finn Prescott had drunk from it, she downed the entire cup in one go.

After drinking, she felt the chill in her chest lessen slightly. She picked up another grilled oyster, scraped off all the seasoning, and handed it to Finn Prescott. "Try it."

Finn Prescott looked at her soft, fair hand holding the oyster shell, which had a faint pinkish hue under the light.

A glint flashed in his eyes. As he took the oyster, he pulled her hand toward him to examine it.

Her hand was small and pale, her fingers slender and soft. The pads of her fingers were a faint, cute pink, but you could still see thin calluses on her palms and knuckles.

His heart twinged slightly. "How long have you been with the Rhodes Family?" he asked in a low voice.

Nina pulled her hand back, took another sip of beer, and said flatly, "I’ve forgotten. But I’ve rarely gone back in recent years."

Finn Prescott looked at her, his chest tightening with a dense pain. "Your own aunt doesn’t take care of you?"

Nina felt a sharp pang in her heart. She nodded, then shook her head. "I don’t know. Maybe I was a burden to her. Without me, her life would probably have been a bit better."

Finn Prescott asked again, "How long have you been renting this place?"

Nina didn’t speak, just took another drink.

Finn Prescott stared at her. "Four or five years?"

Putting aside everything else, just the small space heater looked like it had been used for a long time. The other furniture might have been left by a previous tenant, but this was definitely something she had bought herself.

It was so worn out; it had to be at least three to five years old.

In other words, Nina had been living on her own since she was about fifteen.

Nina didn’t answer. She just held her cup, slowly taking another sip before saying, "Young Prescott, if you think I’m too shabby, you can just ignore me from now on. This place is indeed a bit small and run-down."

Finn Prescott pressed his lips together, watching her for a long while before finally asking, "If the Rhodes Family doesn’t care about you, then why does Caleb Rhodes keep such a tight leash on you?"

At the mention of Caleb Rhodes’s name, Nina lowered her eyes and said flatly, "Maybe he’s afraid I’ll die somewhere and bring shame to the Rhodes Family."

Finn Prescott took her cup away and looked at her. "Be with me, Nina. I can take care of you."

Nina seemed utterly unsurprised by his words. She gave him a faint glance and said softly, "What about your marriage to Crystal Rhodes? Are you going to betray her?"

A flicker crossed Finn Prescott’s eyes, and his tone deepened. "You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll handle it."

Nina’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "What is this mess? You’re getting engaged, and you come here to tell me this. Zyler Rhodes said the same thing to me, and he’s about to be engaged to Ivy Lawson."

"Did I stumble into a nest of men like this? Or do I just look that gullible?"

Finn Prescott froze for a second, then a look of fury crossed his face. "Zyler Rhodes? You mean that bastard? He’s your nominal brother!"

Nina’s hands tightened, and she said no more.

Finn Prescott’s chest heaved, his anger surging. "Did he ever bully you before?"

Nina kept her eyes downcast and said softly, "What kind of bullying are you talking about? The sleeping-together kind? No, not that."

She took the cup back, gently tracing the hammered pattern on it. "But he’s done plenty of other things."

Finn Prescott said nothing, just raised his cup and took a large gulp.

They were both silent. The food on the table was barely touched, but the beer was all gone.

Perhaps because their emotions were running high, that small amount of beer was enough to get them both slightly drunk.

「The next morning」

When Nina woke up, she found she had fallen asleep on the sofa with a small blanket draped over her. Finn Prescott was sitting in a nearby chair, his eyes also closed, seemingly fast asleep.

Before Nina could even process this, a heavy POUNDING echoed from the door.

The old apartment had poor soundproofing, and Caleb Rhodes’s cold, deep voice cut straight through.

"Nina, open the door!"