The Wife He Tried To Erase (by Gavin) novel Chapter 6

I made up my mind to keep my distance from Tristan.

But the second I got to my shop, he showed up.

He’d swapped yesterday’s brown jacket for a crisp beige one, paired with tailored brown trousers that gave him a clean, effortlessly polished look.

However, after reading Lona’s messages, I couldn’t muster a smile for him.

“What are you doing here?” I asked curtly.

Tristan noticed my cold mood and frowned slightly. “Shopping for clothes.”

“This is a lingerie store.”

“What. men don’t wear underwear? Didn’t peg you for the sexist type.”

His words hit me like déjà vu, echoing Lona’s jab from yesterday.

“We don’t carry men’s styles,” I said flatly.

“Then I’ll buy something for my girlfriend.”

The words hit me like a slap. I stiffened and turned away, refusing to look at him.

He raised an eyebrow, scanning the shop with a casual air.

Then he strolled over to the rack and picked up the black bunny–ear bra from yesterday, holding it delicately between his fingers.

“This one,” he said.

“Size?” I asked, my voice clipped.

His gaze dropped, lingering on my chest with a boldness that set my face on fire.

I shoved at his chest.

“Forget it. I’m not selling it to you.”

He caught my hand, his grip gentle but unyielding. “What’s happened? Why the attitude?”

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Before I could answer, a bright voice rang out from the doorway.

“Mommy, I’m back!”

The door swung open, and my mom and I locked eyes.

Lucia’s gaze met Tristan’s, and the air turned thick with an eerie silence.

My mom, ever the quick thinker, recovered first.

“Should I leave alone or take Lucy with me?” she asked cautiously.

My face burned as I yanked my hand free from Tristan’s.

“This is Lona’s brother, Tristan,” I said quickly.

My mom nodded, all warmth. “Nice to meet you!”

Lucia piped up, her voice bubbling with excitement. “I know, I know! Lona is mommy’s best friend, and my godmother!”

She turned to Tristan, her big eyes wide. “Are you Mommy’s friend too, mister?”

I shot him a nervous glance, my heart racing.

He crouched down to her level, his usually sharp features softening into a warm smile.

“You bet I am, Lucy. You’re a smart one, aren’t you?”

My breath caught.

Looking at them side by side, the resemblance was uncanny–especially their eyes, the same shape, the same spark.

Lona used to joke that Lucia looked like part of their family, and we’d laugh it off, chalking it up to fate.

Now, the truth hit me like a punch: they were family.

But the reality was so wild, so improbable, that no one else seemed to suspect it.

With my mom and Lucia around, Tristan found an excuse to stick around.

He settled into a corner, chatting with Lucia like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Oddly enough, Lucia, who was usually shy, turned into a chatterbox in front of him.

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She peppered him with questions, hanging on his every word, completely smitten.

My mom watched him with growing approval.

She leaned in, whispering, “He’s a good one, Eleanore. Handsome, seems dependable. Lucy likes him too. But, well, you never know–wonder if he’d be good to her long–term.”

“Mom, he’s just Lona’s brother,” I said, exasperated. “There’s nothing else going on.”

Before she could reply, Tristan’s low voice cut in.

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Prescott. I can’t have kids of my own, so I’d definitely treat Lucy well.”

He said it with a strange pride, like his condition was a badge of honor.

My mom blinked, caught off guard.

“Oh, uh, that’s… good. I mean, not good–oh, you know what I mean!”

My cheeks flamed again, and I shoved his broad shoulder.

“Can you stop? Why are you eavesdropping? Why are you still here?”

Tristan didn’t push his luck.

He gave my mom a polite smile before finally standing up to go.

My mom, ever the gracious host, called after him. “Why don’t you stay for dinner?”

“Thanks for the invite, Mrs. Prescott, but I’ve got some things to take care of today,” he said, then shot me a lingering, meaningful look.

“We’ll have plenty of chances in the future.”

Once he was gone, my mom shook off her embarrassment and muttered, “He’s a good guy, but wow, does he overshare. Who just says stuff like that?”

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