Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

In the backyard, Tina was watching over Kiki and Mimi as they played in the garden. She didn't have to do much-both kids were obedient and never wandered off when they were near her. When Brandon sneaked into the garden, Tina spotted him immediately. He looked anxious, turning back every few steps as if worried someone might be following him. Calling it "sneaky" was giving him too much credit-his movements were anything but subtle.

Even Kiki and Mimi noticed him. After taking one glance, they lost interest and went back to picking flowers.

Brandon turned and was immediately met with Tina's calm gaze. He froze, feeling like she could see right through him. Awkwardly scratching his nose, he asked, "Tina, um... you've been getting along well with my nephew-in-law lately, haven't you?" Tina blinked.noveldrama

Was this some new way of starting a conversation?

She remembered Brandon had called her a few days ago, though he later texted her to say it wasn't important. She hadn't pressed further, but now it seemed like she might have missed something crucial. Feigning innocence, Tina asked, "Uncle Brandon, where's Aunt Angela today?"

At the mention of Angela, Brandon's face fell. He plopped down and began to complain, "Tina, you've noticed too, haven't you? Angela's mad at me! What do I do? She won't answer my calls or reply to my messages. I don't even know where she went..."

Tina immediately stepped back, rubbing her forehead. "What did you do to upset Aunt Angela this time?" "I just..."

Brandon hesitated for ages, unable to finish his sentence. His face turned red with embarrassment. Tina instantly understood. "She didn't accept your proposal, did she?"

Brandon froze, his face flushing a deeper red as he stared at Tina in shock. "How did you guess that?"

Tina gave him a look that said, What do you think?

In this house, was there anyone who didn't know about their relationship?

To Tina, Angela already felt like part of the family-practically Brandon's wife. After all, they'd been together for years. With Alina's wedding just days ago, it wasn't hard to figure out why the two might be at odds.

Brandon spiraled into self-doubt. "Do you think I scared her by being too pushy? If that's the case, I won't mention marriage again. Honestly, it doesn't matter if we get married or not. As long as I can stay by her side, I don't care about those formalities..."

Tina sighed.

No wonder her mom got along so well with Brandon.

"Uncle Brandon, when exactly did Aunt Angela disappear? What did she say before she left?"

Brandon looked distraught. "I saw her last night. I wanted to talk to her, but she kept avoiding me. Then this morning, she was gone!"

Tina's eye twitched. "Uncle Brandon... is it possible Aunt Angela just went out for a bit?"

Brandon shook his head firmly. "Impossible! The way she was looking at me last night-it wasn't normal. If she just went out, why would she look at me like that? Tina, you don't understand, Angela-"

Before Tina lost her mind, Kiki and Mimi ran over, each grabbing one of her hands. With a look of disdain, they glanced at Brandon.

"Uncle Brandon's at it again. Let's go play outside instead."

Tina nodded, unable to deal with Brandon's romantic antics any longer. No wonder it had taken him over a decade to get nowhere-it all made sense now.

---

Inside the house, Ruud was surrounded by the Brookes brothers, while Alina chatted with a group of aunts.

Among them was the supposedly "missing" Angela.

Tina immediately understood why no one in the family was paying attention to Brandon's dramatics.

Only Angela could put up with him.

Sensing Tina's gaze, Angela turned her head and smiled softly. "Tina."

Tina returned the smile and walked over. "Aunt Angela, you're back."

Angela nodded, still holding Alina's hand tightly. "I heard Alina was coming, so I went out to pick up some of her favorite snacks. I missed you all when you arrived." Sitting down with the kids in her arms, Tina suddenly said, "Uncle Brandon's going crazy, you know."

Angela froze, instinctively glancing at Alina.

She thought Tina was joking but didn't know how to respond.

The other aunts chuckled quietly, saying nothing.

Alina, feeling bad for Angela, shot Tina a warning look.

Tina waved it off. "I'm serious! If you don't believe me, ask Kiki and Mimi. Kids don't lie."

Kiki and Mimi nodded emphatically, their little hands gesturing wildly. "Tina's right! Uncle Brandon's going crazy in the garden pavilion right now..." Angela couldn't sit still anymore. She excused herself to Alina and headed outside.

Alina smirked. "Careful, or Brandon might start blaming you later."

Scarlett pulled Kiki and Mimi into her arms, laughing. "Alina, you're overthinking it. If Angela's going out there, Brandon's about to be over the moon!" Emily sighed, clearly exasperated with Brandon. "Exactly! You don't understand how frustrating it is to watch him act so timid around Angela all the time." "Everyone knows Angela's personality. If Brandon could just man up a little, they'd have kids by now."

Melanie chuckled gently. "Kiki and Mimi are right here. Don't corrupt the children."

Emily realized she'd slipped again, accidentally using an old nickname for Alina. Fortunately, Alina didn't seem to mind and calmly sipped her tea.

"I'm just worried," Emily muttered. "Brandon's not getting any younger, yet he's still acting like a lovestruck teenager. He should think about Angela for once."

Scarlett's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Why don't we help him? His last proposal was so half-hearted. You can't just casually toss out a question like that-it's no wonder Angela didn't say yes." Alina finally caught on. "Brandon proposed to Angela?"

Tina gave her mom a look that said, Were you even paying attention?

Alina pretended to sip her tea.

What could she say? After over a decade of watching those two dance around each other, she'd assumed Brandon enjoyed their dynamic.

Turns out, he just couldn't seal the deal.

Tina raised an eyebrow and glanced outside. "This time, Uncle Brandon isn't going to let Aunt Angela out of his sight again."

---

In the garden pavilion, Brandon sat in a daze, clutching the flowers Kiki and Mimi had left behind. He was plucking petals one by one, mumbling to himself.

"She loves me... she loves me not... loves me... no, wait, start over."

"Brandon?"

A familiar voice came from behind him, and Brandon froze.

He sprang up like a coiled spring, turned around, and immediately pulled Angela into a tight hug.

"Angela! I was wrong. I'll never push you again. I don't care if we get married or not-just don't leave me again! I was terrified!"

Brandon's breath was warm against her. Angela's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly pushed him away, clearing her throat. "Who said I left?"