Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 67

Drake's words lingered in Gabriella's mind like a curse, repeatedly echoing and disturbing her peace of mind.

The next day when Gabriella visited Asher in the hospital, she was visibly distracted.

"Something on your mind, Gabby?" Asher asked softly.

Her eyelashes fluttered as she looked away. "That woman... Vanessa Miller. What's the story there?"

Asher's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Are you jealous?"

Gabriella tried her best to appear nonchalant, puffing her cheeks slightly. "Of course not. You've just never mentioned her before, that's all."

Remembering how this woman had kidnapped Lucy and tried to stab her, Gabriella felt anger mingling with her jealousy. "Where did you even find this crazy admirer? She's completely unhinged."

Asher reached out his hand. "Come here, Gabby."

Gabriella moved closer, perching on the edge of his hospital bed.

Taking her hand in his, Asher's expression turned serious. "We attended the same school. She pursued me rather intensely back then, and I clearly rejected her. Later, she followed me to university, where she continued her pursuit. I never gave her any encouragement—not once."

Gabriella lowered her eyes, her lips turning down slightly. "Is that all there is to it?"

Asher gently pinched her cheek. "That's everything. I barely even spoke to her. We don't have each other's numbers, social media—nothing."

After a moment of silence, Gabriella continued. "Why would anyone persist for ten whole years? Not ten days, not ten months—ten years."

Asher smiled helplessly. "I honestly couldn't tell you. Everyone around me knows how coldly I treated her. I've barely exchanged a handful of words with her in all that time."

Gabriella leaned closer, narrowing her eyes playfully. "And how many words is 'a handful' exactly?"

Asher couldn't help laughing. "Maybe five or six sentences total..."

"What could you possibly have to say that required so many sentences?" Gabriella asked, feigning outrage.

Asher found her jealousy utterly endearing. His eyes softened with affection, a warm smile playing at his lips. "Nothing significant. In school, I spoke briefly to reject her first few confessions. After that, I hardly acknowledged her existence."

"You truly felt nothing for her?" Gabriella asked skeptically. "She's quite pretty."

"Absolutely nothing," Asher gazed at her with undisguised devotion. "My heart has belonged to someone else for a very long time. There's simply no room for anyone else."

Gabriella pretended ignorance. "Someone else? Who might that be?"

Asher's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Who do you think?"

Gabriella mumbled softly. "How would I know unless you tell me?"

To Asher, her pretense was nothing short of adorable, melting his heart completely.

He couldn't resist her.

His voice softened with tenderness. "There has never been anyone but you, Gabby. Not then, not now, not ever."

Gabriella glanced away, a blush forming on her cheeks. "She confessed to you in school. I was just a child then."

Surely he couldn't have had feelings for her that early?

Asher answered honestly, "I wasn't looking for a relationship back then."

This made Gabriella curious. She met his eyes, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes wide with genuine interest. "When did you start having feelings for me, then?"

Asher thought back, a soft smile forming. "Initially, I truly did see you as a little sister figure. As for when those feelings changed... I can't pinpoint the exact moment."