Page 134 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

I smiled and nodded. I had officially met my Uncle Isaac.

“Wow … she doesn’t look like you … at all,” he said to Noah. “That’s probably a good thing.”

Noah placed his hands on my shoulders and spoke in a low, stern voice. “Sweetie, I want you to go inside.”

“No.”

I didn’t want to be shooed away. I wanted to meet his brother. This was super exciting!

“At least let me make a proper introduction,” my uncle said, “since I probably creeped her out.”

“No, I want you gone. How the hell did you even get past the gate?”

That was a good question, but he ignored Noah and extended his arm. “Hi, Aria, I’m your Uncle Evan.”

His smile was amazing, and I couldn’t help but reciprocate it as I shook his hand.

Wait—Uncle Evan?Noah had never mentioned having another brother named Evan.ThisI was a hundred percent sure of, and I planned to interrogate Noah later.

“How did you know my name?” I asked.

“Well, you were always a hot topic of discussion in my family.”

I wasn’t sure if that made me happy or upset.

“I want you to leave, Evan.” Noah gently moved me aside and went head to head with his brother.

Vanessa showed up next to him. “Honey, who’s at the door?”

I used the opportunity to peer over at my handsome uncle without getting noticed.

“Thismust be the wife, huh?” Evan offered his hand again. “Hi, I’m Evan. It’s a pleasure to meet you, at long last.”

My stepmom seemed reluctant to greet him.

Did she not know about him either?I wondered.

“I’m the brother-in-law you never met,” Evan added.

My suspicion had been precisely right. She looked at Noah and then regarded Evan again, shaking his hand with a perplexed expression on her face.

“Funny … my husband never mentioned you.” Vanessa glared at Noah. “Not once.”

Yeah, funny indeed. Apparently, Noah hasn’t mentioned a lot of things!

“Nessa, look—there’s bad blood between Evan and me. I’ll explain it later, but right now, I want him off our property.”

“Nonsense, he’s family!”

“No, he’s not. Not part ofmyfamily, anyway,” he said, his voice filled with hate.

“It’s rude to let him stand out here,” Vanessa insisted, “and even worse to send him away.”

“Who’s the new house guest?” Vienna asked, maneuvering herself beside me. I swear I was able to see the floating hearts in her eyes as soon as she looked at my uncle.

“No one. He was just leaving,” said Noah.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Vanessa scowled. “Come on in, Evan. I’m curious to know why your existence was kept such a secret.”

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