He Wouldn't Claim Me — Another Man Did

Chapter 165 - 151: Gift

Ever since Morgan Hayes said he would take Annabelle Leighton home to meet his family, Annabelle had been planning what gifts to get them.

She didn’t spend much time around elders, so she had no idea what they might like.

So, on a day he wasn’t working late, she asked him, "What do your parents, and your aunt and uncle, usually like?"

Morgan Hayes was washing the dishes. Upon hearing Annabelle’s question, his spirits visibly sank.

"My parents have both passed away."

Annabelle was taken aback. "I’m so sorry, I didn’t know..."

"It’s okay. They passed away many years ago."

Morgan Hayes’s father had also been a police officer; he died in the line of duty. His mother, who was a teacher, fell into a deep depression after his father’s death. Not long after, she too passed away from illness.

"My aunt and uncle raised me."

Morgan’s maternal uncle, Sean Thorne, had been comrades-in-arms with his father. Sean was on the same mission where Morgan’s father died, and he’d always blamed himself, feeling he had failed to protect him.

After his sister passed away from grief and illness, Sean Thorne took his nephew, Morgan Hayes, into his home. Fortunately, his wife, Lily Colton, was fully supportive of his decision.

Over the years, Sean Thorne and Lily Colton treated Morgan as their own. They made sure he never went without anything their own daughter, Willow Thorne, had.

When Morgan wanted to inherit his father’s badge number and become a police officer, Sean Thorne, though worried, ultimately chose to respect his decision.

Even though Annabelle had her own share of troubles, her heart ached for Morgan upon hearing his story, and she pulled him into a hug.

"Don’t be sad. At least you still have an aunt and uncle who love you very much."

Morgan Hayes nodded.

’Losing his parents would always be a source of pain, but he still considered himself lucky. His aunt and uncle had filled the void with a different kind of love, and now, he had found the love of his life.’

"So, what do your aunt and uncle like?"

"As long as it’s from my girlfriend, they’ll love it."

Ever since Morgan Hayes started working, his uncle Sean Thorne and aunt Lily Colton had been preoccupied with getting him married. Morgan had been on countless blind dates over the past few years. It was as if his aunt and uncle felt they couldn’t face his late parents until they saw him settled down.

They had been so eager for Morgan to have a girlfriend that now that he finally had one, they would probably treasure a rock if Annabelle brought it over.

Despite what Morgan said, Annabelle still put great thought into selecting an anniversary gift for his aunt and uncle. She chose a matching set of watches, spending a long time on her decision. She felt the men’s watch suited Sean Thorne’s mature, steady presence, while the women’s watch complemented Lily Colton’s gentle, refined beauty.

In addition, Annabelle prepared several other gifts appropriate for a first meeting, and she even had something for his cousin, Willow Thorne.

When Morgan got out of the car to retrieve the gifts, he was moved by how thorough and thoughtful Annabelle had been.

"Thank you, Annie."

"Your family is my family now. I should be the one thanking them for raising you so well. I’m the lucky one who gets to have you."

"I’m the one who hit the jackpot."

"Then give me a kiss."

Morgan Hayes kissed her without hesitation.

Just as their lips met, they heard another car pull into the parking lot.

It was a white Volkswagen Beetle.

"Morgan! Sister-in-law!" The car window rolled down, revealing Willow Thorne.

Morgan Hayes and Annabelle Leighton immediately sprang apart.