Chapter 5
The new month was approaching quickly, and Gemma’s time was running out.
There was still so much she needed to do, and she refused to waste her precious remaining days confined to her room.
So, the once–proud young woman lowered her head. She approached Murphy, biting her lip as she apologized, “Uncle Murphy, I’ve thought it through. It was all my fault. I’m sorry.”
However, Murphy’s expression remained cold. The tender indulgence he once held for her was gone. “I’m not the one you should
apologize to–it’s Eva.”
Her lip bled as she bit down harder, and the metallic taste filled her mouth. In that bitter moment, she realized the warmth and
affection he used to reserve for her had long since been given to another woman.
“Fine, I’ll apologize to her!” she said, her voice trembling as her entire body shook with emotion.
She turned to Evangeline and choked out, “I’m sorry, Aunt Eva.”
The term “Aunt Eva” made Murphy freeze for a moment.
His dark eyes flickered briefly, as though he could not believe what he had just heard.
“Is that enough now, Uncle Murphy?” Gemma asked with a self–deprecating smile. But as she forced herself to smile, tears
welled up in her eyes. “Are you satisfied?”
Murphy should have felt content, but for some reason, hearing his cherished rose apologize and call Evangeline “Aunt Eva” left a
bitter taste in his mouth.
He responded with cold detachment while avoiding her gaze. “From now on, you’ll move downstairs.”
