Chapter 5 The Sudden Kiss

The clock in the grand hallway read 1:34 a.m. The entire house was silent and dark, accompanied only by the soft hum of the central air conditioning. Outside, the night air was freezing, but Lena kept moving cautiously, tiptoeing through the front door after unlocking it with the spare key one of the maids had given her.

"Thank God..." she whispered in relief as she stepped inside. She closed the door slowly, then turned the key in its lock.

The house remained quiet. As always, everyone had gone to bed by nine. Lena tiptoed toward the living room, intending to go straight upstairs. But-

"Where have you been at this hour?"

The voice was low, cold, yet it echoed in the silence. Lena froze, struck as if by lightning. Her heart nearly stopped.

"Oh God...!" she gasped softly. Reflexively, she turned around, and a second later, the table lamp beside the sofa clicked on.

Neil sat there, leaning back casually, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's, missing nothing. A thin smile played across his lips.

"Uh... Uncle..." Lena stammered, glancing at the clock. "You're still awake?"

Neil didn't answer right away. He stood slowly and walked closer.

"Were you alone?" His tone was flat, unreadable.

"I-I just stepped out for a while... to get some fresh air. The room felt stuffy," Lena replied quickly, keeping her head lowered to avoid the light.

But Neil wasn't easily fooled. His gaze swept over her appearance. He could tell something was off-though she had changed out of her purple gown into an oversized nightdress, traces of her evening still lingered.

"Are you wearing makeup?" Neil asked, now only a few steps away.

"N-no," Lena shook her head, edging back slightly.

But Neil kept moving forward until her back pressed against the wall. Her breath hitched. The air between them grew heavy, suffocating.

Suddenly, Neil lifted his hand and touched Lena's lips with the tip of his finger. The gesture made her freeze in place.

"H-hey-!" she squeaked in shock.

But Neil had already pulled his finger back, revealing a faint red stain. He stared at it, then looked directly at her.

"What's this?" he asked.

Lena's eyes widened. Damn it... Why was there still lipstick left? She thought she had wiped it off in the bathroom!

She forced a smile. "Oh, maybe from the lipstick I wore before dinner. I thought it would tempt my husband."

Neil chuckled low, his deep voice vibrating through the midnight air.

"What if I'm the one tempted instead?"

Lena's heart lurched. His words weren't just inappropriate-they scrambled her mind. This was her husband's uncle...!

"Uncle... you're joking, right?" she tried to laugh, but it came out stiff.

Neil didn't reply. He just stared at her-sharp, intense, unblinking. Lena felt hypnotized, but she knew she couldn't linger there.

"Ah... I'm really sleepy," she blurted quickly, trying to end the moment. "It's already past midnight. I should go to bed, Uncle."

Neil didn't stop her. He only kept watching in silence.

"I'll grab some water from the kitchen. I'm so thirsty," Lena added, clutching her stomach as if hungry.

Then she hurried away-not to the kitchen, but straight to the stairs. Her steps were quick, almost a run. One hand held her nightdress so she wouldn't trip while climbing.

From below, Neil stood still, his thin smile never fading.

His eyes followed her back until she vanished at the top of the stairs.

He muttered softly, almost to himself,

"Interesting... It seems the real drama in this house is only just beginning."

In her room, Lena shut the door and locked it. She leaned against it, panting, cold sweat dampening her temples.

"Does he suspect something... or is he just playing with me? Why is he acting like this now?"

Her mind spun. She glanced at the mirror-and there it was, a faint red smudge still clinging to her lips.

"Stupid... why didn't I clean it properly earlier?" she cursed under her breath.

She rushed into the bathroom, grabbed a wet wipe, and scrubbed her lips harshly until no trace remained.

Then she stared at her reflection.

What exactly did Neil want? And... how long could she survive this dangerous game?

That night, Lena couldn't sleep.

Because for the first time, she realized-

This house was not as safe as she thought.

---

"Good God!"

Axel's roar echoed from the dining room, jolting the whole household awake. All eyes turned toward him. Sitting at the breakfast table with his family, Axel's face burned red with fury, his eyes glaring at the woman who had just entered.

Lena beamed brightly, wearing an oversized neon-yellow dress dotted with blinding orange polka dots. Her hair was braided in pigtails, and her eyebrows... resembled abstract art.

"WHY IS THERE AN UGLY WOMAN HERE?!" Axel bellowed, his eyes nearly bulging.

Lena stifled a laugh, trying to stay sweet.

"Darling... I woke up so early today. I dressed up just for you-so you can see how beautiful I am."

"BEAUTIFUL?!" Axel recoiled in disgust. "Ugh, disgusting! YOU'RE UGLY!"

Lena's smile faltered, her eyes brimming with tears. "Darling... why are you so cruel? I just wanted to make you happy."

"DON'T CALL ME DARLING! You disgust me!" Axel snapped, swatting her hand away when she tried to touch his arm.

"AXEL!" Richard's booming voice thundered from the end of the table. "Your wife has tried. Respect her. Lena is already far better than before."

Elizabeth only shook her head slowly, disappointment clouding her face. Neil, sitting back with his black coffee, merely cast a brief glance at Axel before returning to his cup.

Axel clenched his fists. "You've ruined my appetite, ugly creature!"

He stormed off with long strides, leaving Lena standing alone in the middle of the room.

"Darling... please... don't go. You haven't had breakfast yet," Lena pleaded softly, reaching for his hand.

Axel shoved her away roughly and disappeared upstairs, slamming his bedroom door. Lena stood frozen, her face etched with sadness... or perhaps just a skillful act.

Richard set down his spoon. "Leave him. Let's continue eating."

Breakfast carried on in heavy silence. When it was done, Lena rose and carefully prepared a tray with two sandwiches and a glass of milk.

"I'll bring this up for Axel," she said gently.

"A thoughtful and caring daughter-in-law," Richard praised with a smile. Elizabeth nodded faintly, though uncertainty lingered in her eyes.

Lena carried the tray upstairs slowly, balancing it in her hands. No one noticed Neil's sharp gaze following her every step.

---

Upstairs...

"WHY ARE YOU IN MY ROOM?!" Axel shouted the moment the door opened.

Lena flinched but forced a smile. "I brought you breakfast, darling."

"Just leave it there! Ugh, disgusting! NOW GET OUT!"

Without a word, Lena set the tray on the table and turned to leave. Axel slammed the door behind her, making her jump.

"Wow, that much?" she muttered as she walked down the stairs.

Once she reached the bottom, she exhaled deeply... then chuckled softly.

"A morning full of drama," she whispered as she set the empty tray down. But when she turned-

"Oh my God, Uncle!" Lena almost dropped the tray. Neil was standing right behind her, far too close.

"You scared me. Like a ghost."

Neil smirked at the corner of his lips. "So? Did you succeed in seducing your husband today?"

Lena pouted playfully. "No, Uncle. I got up before dawn to get ready. But my husband... he just finds me disgusting."

Neil's gaze bore into her-sharp, piercing. "Then... what if I'm the one tempted instead?"

Lena froze. Her eyes widened, then she laughed nervously. "Uncle... you're joking, right?"

"Why? You don't believe me?"

His stare didn't waver-serious, piercing. There was something in his eyes that made Lena's heart race wildly. Her instincts screamed for her to leave.

"Ehm... I'll head to my room now, Uncle." She spun quickly, but-

Neil suddenly grabbed her wrist. With a swift move, he turned her to face him. His other hand lifted, tilting her chin gently-then he kissed her.

Lena's eyes widened in shock. It all happened so fast-Neil's lips on hers, firmly. She shoved him instinctively, breaking the kiss.

Staring at him in disbelief, she saw his eyes dark, filled with desire, as if ready to devour her.

"This... shouldn't have happened..." she whispered, wiping her lips with the back of her hand before fleeing upstairs.

Neil only stood there, watching her go. His hand touched his own lips, a thin smile spreading.

Meanwhile, Lena slammed her bedroom door, leaning against it with both hands covering her mouth, still shaken.

"Oh God... why did he kiss me like that?" she whispered. "Is he insane? I'm his nephew's wife! How could he... He's truly mad!"