MARRIED TO MY EX'S RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE UNCLE

Nica Matthew was a young woman from a poor home. Despite her struggles, she was kind, hardworking, and hopeful about love. She had been dating Chris Elio, a handsome young man from an average family, and believed he truly cared for her.

But the person who was supposed to protect and stand by her no matter what, her best friend, Ella Mark, had secretly betrayed her. Unknown to Nica, Ella was involved with Chris behind her back.

As the days passed, Nica began to notice Chris acting strangely. He was distant, full of excuses, and constantly avoiding her. Whenever she wanted to spend time with him, he always had a reason to leave. Yet somehow, he always seemed available whenever Ella called.

One afternoon, Chris received an invitation to an engagement party. As he read the letter, Ella sat beside him, smiling mischievously.

"I'll go with you," Ella said confidently. "And trust me, I'll be the most beautiful, hottest, and sexiest woman at that party."

Chris laughed and pulled her closer.

"That's why I love you," he said. "You're bold and confident."

The two of them agreed to attend together, leaving Nica behind.

What they did not know was that Nica had also been invited by someone else.

The day of the party finally arrived.

Chris adjusted his watch and grabbed his car keys.

"I have somewhere important to be," he told Nica casually. "Don't wait up for me. I may not come back tonight."

Nica frowned slightly but nodded.

"Okay."

She stepped closer, trying to hug him goodbye, but Chris pushed her away coldly and walked out without another word.

Left alone in the quiet house, Nica sat on the couch feeling lonely and restless. Then suddenly, she glanced at her phone and remembered the engagement party.

"Oh no!"

She rushed to her room and dressed as quickly as she could. She chose a simple long backless dress, slipped into small heels, loosely curled her hair, added a touch of makeup, and wore her nerd glasses. In her hurry, she forgot to carry her bag.

Meanwhile, Chris and Ella had already arrived at the party.

Ella wore a short sleeveless black dress that clung to her curves, paired with high heels and expensive jewelry that sparkled under the lights. Her hair was perfectly styled, and her makeup was flawless.

Chris looked equally sharp in a fitted suit, polished black shoes, and a neat tie.

Guests admired them openly.

"They look perfect together."

"What a beautiful couple."

"They belong with each other."

Ella smiled proudly as she held Chris's arm.

At the entrance, Nica rushed inside and accidentally bumped into a tall man.

She froze.

It was the same man who had paid for her bus fare earlier after she realized she had forgotten her bag at home.

"I'm so sorry!" she blurted out quickly.

Without waiting for his response, she hurried away.

The man stood still, watching her disappear into the crowd with an unreadable expression.

Inside the hall, Nica walked around quietly, sipping from a glass of juice. The glamorous atmosphere made her feel out of place.

After a while, she headed to the restroom.

While inside, she overheard two women talking excitedly.

"Did you see that couple in black? They look stunning together."

"Yes! They fit each other perfectly."

Nica smiled faintly. Though jealousy pricked her heart, she was also happy for whoever they were. She had always longed for a love like that.

When she stepped out of the restroom, her smile faded.

Across the hallway, she saw Chris.

Her breath caught.

No... that can't be possible.

Wasn't he supposed to be at an important meeting?

She rubbed her eyes and pinched herself.

This was no dream.

A small smile formed on her lips as she prepared to walk toward him.

Maybe he had come after all.

But before she could take another step, she froze.

Chris was pressed against the wall... kissing Ella passionately.

His hands were around her waist, while Ella's fingers tangled in his hair.

The world around Nica shattered.

Ella noticed her first.

Instead of shame, Ella smirked and boldly raised her hand, giving Nica an insulting gesture.

Nica's body trembled.

Her best friend.

Her boyfriend.

The two people she trusted most had betrayed her.

Tears burned her eyes as she turned and ran.

She could not breathe.

She could not think.

She only wanted to escape.

But in her haste, her heel caught the edge of the carpet.

She tripped.

Everything around her went dark.

Nica slowly opened her eyes, only to realize she was lying in a strange hospital room. The bright lights above her made her blink repeatedly as memories of the previous night came rushing back.

The party.

Chris.

Ella.

The betrayal.

A sharp pain shot through her chest.

She tried to sit up and remove the IV drip attached to her hand, but a warm unfamiliar hand gently stopped her.

"You need to rest," a deep masculine voice said calmly. "You haven't fully recovered yet."

Something about the touch felt strangely comforting.

Before Nica could respond, the door suddenly opened.

Chris and Ella walked in together, acting as though nothing had happened. Their expressions were full of fake concern, as if they had not been caught kissing the night before.

They did not notice the man standing beside Nica's bed.

Chris rushed forward dramatically.

"Nica! What happened to you?" he asked. "When I got home last night, I couldn't find you anywhere. I was so worried."

Nica stared at him in disbelief.

Worried?

The same man who lied to her, humiliated her, and betrayed her now stood there pretending to care.

Her stomach turned with disgust.

The stranger beside her noticed how uneasy she looked. He cleared his throat loudly.

Chris and Ella immediately turned toward the sound.

The moment Chris saw the man, all the color drained from his face.

"U... Uncle?" Chris stammered so loudly he nearly choked on his own breath. "What are you doing here?"

Before the man could answer, Nica spoke first.

"He brought me to the hospital."

Ella's eyes widened.

For the first time, she truly looked at the stranger.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, handsome, and carried himself with effortless authority. His expensive suit fit perfectly, and his cold expression made him even more attractive.

Ella swallowed hard.

In her mind, greed rose instantly.

I must have this man for myself.

Nica noticed the look in Ella's eyes and felt sick again.

How could Chris, a worthless cheat, be related to someone like this?

Lost in thought, she barely heard the doctor enter the room.

"You're stable now, Miss Matthew," the doctor said with a smile. "You may be discharged today."

Nica nodded quietly.

She got out of bed and packed her few belongings, eager to leave as quickly as possible.

The stranger stepped forward.

"I'll take you home."

Nica looked at him, surprised by the offer.

"No, thank you," she said politely. "You've already done more than enough for me. I can manage on my own."

Chris immediately laughed.

"Uncle, Nica is a strong girl. She can take care of herself, right Nica?"

Before Nica could answer, Ella quickly linked arms with Chris and added sweetly,

"I've known Nica for years. She's very tough. If she says she can do it, then she can."

Nica clenched her fists.

The shamelessness of the two people standing before her was unbearable.

"I'll be leaving now," she said coldly.

Without waiting for a reply, she walked out of the room.

She kept walking until she reached the hospital entrance, finally breathing in fresh air.

Then suddenly, two voices spoke at the same time behind her.

"Nica, I just...."

"You looked......"

She turned around.

It was Chris's uncle.

The two of them paused, then looked at each other before speaking again.

"You first," they both said together.

For the first time that day, Nica almost smiled.

A small laugh escaped them both.

Nica lowered her gaze.

"I just wanted to thank you... for everything."

"It was nothing," he replied smoothly.

Then his eyes moved over her hospital gown.

"Although... you still looked beautiful in that hospital gown."

Nica blinked in surprise.

"Really?"

He smirked slightly.

"I was joking."

For the first time in days, Nica laughed genuinely.

"My name is Nica Matthew," she said.

He gave a small nod.

"Jordan Avila."

The name sounded powerful.

Jordan stepped closer.

"Now let me drive you home."

Nica shook her head again.

"I don't want to bother you."

"You're not a bother."

He paused, as if wanting to say something else.

"Actually... I have an offer to....."

Before he could finish, Nica suddenly remembered something she had left behind in the room.

"Oh no!"

Without another word, she rushed back upstairs.

But the moment she reached the half-open door, her steps froze.

Inside the room, she saw and heard something she was never meant to witness.

As Nica approached the half-open hospital room door, she was about to step inside when she suddenly froze.

What she saw made her stomach turn.

Ella was kissing Chris shamelessly.

Chris held her tightly, pressing her against the wall as they continued kissing without care. Ella's fingers ran through his hair while she laughed softly, completely comfortable in his arms.

Nica's chest tightened painfully.

She could not believe they would behave like that in a hospital room, especially after everything that had happened.

Unable to bear the sight, she quietly stepped back, intending to leave before they noticed her.

Then Chris spoke.

"You know I love you so much," he said smoothly. "Especially because of that portrait you drew during the contest. It was valuable, meaningful, and full of life. I admire talented women."

Nica's eyes widened.

That portrait?

She was the one who had painted it.

Ella had only stood beside her during the competition, yet somehow she had stolen all the credit.

And the truth was worse.

Ella could barely draw a straight line.

Chris kissed Ella's forehead lovingly.

"I'll be right back," he murmured before walking toward the bathroom.

The moment he disappeared, Nica pushed the door open and entered the room.

Ella jumped in shock.

For a second, fear flashed across her face.

Had Nica heard everything?

But Ella quickly recovered and folded her arms.

"You really are pathetic," Ella said mockingly. "Chris has never loved you. He only kept you around because you were useful."

She stepped closer with a cruel smile.

"He can barely stand to look at you. All he wants is me."

Nica's pain slowly turned into anger.

"What if I tell Chris the truth?" she said calmly. "That you never painted the portrait. That you don't even know how to properly hold a pencil."

Ella's face went pale.

So she had heard everything.

Panic rose inside her.

If Chris found out the truth, he would never forgive her.

Just then, Chris walked back into the room.

In an instant, Ella threw herself backward and pretended to faint.

"Ella!" Chris rushed forward and caught her.

Then he turned sharply toward Nica.

"What did you do to her?" he shouted. "What have you done?"

Nica stared at him in disbelief.

He had not asked a single question.

He had not even given her a chance to speak.

He simply chose Ella.

Again.

Chris stormed over and grabbed Nica's wrist roughly.

"I'm talking to you!"

Before he could say another word, the door opened.

Jordan Avila walked in.

His expression darkened the moment he saw Chris holding Nica.

Without hesitation, Jordan grabbed Chris's arm and forced him to release her.

Then he delivered a hard punch across Chris's face.

Chris stumbled backward in shock.

Jordan stood tall between them, his voice cold and dangerous.

"Touch her again, and you will regret it."

The room fell silent.

Even Ella, still pretending to be weak, looked terrified.

Jordan turned to Nica.

"Come with me."

Still shaken, Nica followed him out of the room.

Once they were alone in the hallway, she exhaled deeply.

"Thank you," she said softly. "For helping me."

Jordan looked at her for a moment.

Then she remembered something.

"You said earlier that you had an offer for me," she said. "What did you mean?"

Jordan's gaze sharpened.

"I want you to become my contract wife for six months."

Nica's breath caught.

"In return," he continued, "I will give you status, power, and protection."

The hallway suddenly felt too small.

Her heart was already broken.

Her trust was shattered.

And now the ruthless uncle of the man who betrayed her was asking her to marry him.

Nica could not answer immediately.

Jordan held her hands and said whatever you decide just let me know.

Should she accept the offer...

Or walk away from every thing?