Tempting My Ex-fiance's Uncle

##Chapter 1

*Michelle's POV*

Bridal Shower Night 1

"What the hell is going on here!" My voice trembled with disbelief and fury as I stumbled into the room. The sight before me felt surreal-Dell, the man I was set to marry tomorrow, lay naked on the bed with my step-sister, Sharon. The room seemed to freeze in time as I took in the scene.

Dell and Sharon both looked up, their eyes wide with shock, but there was no trace of remorse on their faces. It was as if they had been caught in the middle of an ordinary day, not in the midst of the most intimate betrayal imaginable.

"You can see exactly what's happening, can't you?" Dell's voice was cold, his irritation barely masked. "So, why the fuss?"

My heart pounded violently in my chest, as though it might burst free from my rib cage. His words felt like a slap in the face, each syllable echoing in my mind as I struggled to keep my sanity intact.

I loved him. I had given everything to make this relationship work. And now, on my bridal shower night, I found him in this disgraceful state with my sister. My hands trembled uncontrollably, and I fought to keep my tears from spilling over.

"What to do now? Looks like we've been caught by my dear sister" Sharon said mockingly, a smirk playing on her lips. My fists clenched, my nails digging into my palms, drawing blood. I was seething with rage.

Dell and Sharon were still entwined, indifferent to my presence. The sheer audacity of their nonchalance, stung more than their betrayal. I had always hoped for freedom from my family's cruelty and when I met him, I thought I would. But now, it felt like my entire existence had been a lie.

"This is absurd" I mumbled, barely recognizing my own voice through the haze of anger.

"What's absurd?" Sharon sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Are you confused?"

"How could you do this to me!" I snapped, losing control. In a fit of fury, I grabbed a nearby flower vase and hurled it in their direction. It shattered against the wall, pieces flying as Dell and Sharon scrambled to separate themselves.

"Are you insane! You almost injured me, you stupid woman!" Dell shouted, his hand pressing against his side as if to check for injuries.

"Crazy woman!" Sharon yelled, trying to cover her exposed chest. Dell snatched the duvet, wrapping it around himself with a look of disdain.

"Bitch! Why are you angry? You should blame yourself for being stupid. You forced yourself on me" He gritted his teeth.

"I hate seeing your face. If I had a choice Michelle, I would never have taken it this far. I would never!" Dell spouted angrily.

"Just yesterday Dell, you promised to move heaven and earth for me, to seize for me the whole world and now you're saying I forced myself on you? How? You approached me first!"

He scoffed, "I can see the reason your father cannot trust you, you are so stupid! Why would you think that, I, Dell Houston would settle for a woman like you? I simply approached you because I like your sister, but you just won't stop pushing things! You should be grateful to her for letting you have it to this extent."

My eyes were filled with tears I was trying to control as his harsh words echoed in my head.

"You are having an affair with my step sister and you want to get married to me? You're nothing but a pathetic jerk!" I banged my hand against the wall angrily, sniffing back my tears afterwards.

"What do you mean? An affair? Are you calling me a side chick? You're the fucking bitch here!" Sharon sneered.

"Shut your mouth!" I roared, shooting her a deadly glare. She gulped down hard, the shock on her face evident.

I'd lived under her shadow since she was born and always had to let go of anything she wanted, even if my life depended on it.

But I didn't expect her to be so shameless to the point of snatching my fiance! The one person that gave me hope!

"Why are you so angry baby!" Dell taunted, his voice dripping with venom. "You should be begging me to stay. Tomorrow is the wedding, after all. You wouldn't want to disappoint your father."

"Dell, why are you calling her that!" Sharon's jealousy was evident.

"We still need something from her. We should be nice. She'll have no choice but to comply" Dell retorted cutely.

"Exactly" Sharon agreed, her gaze dismissive.

They spoke about me as if I weren't even there. My heart felt like it was being crushed under the weight of their words. "Beg? Who? You've cheated on me!"

"So what!" Dell's contempt was palpable. "You were never my first choice. You're just a placeholder for my grandfather's wishes. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have bothered."

My heart shattered into a billion pieces at his words, all the time I'd spent loving and trusting him was based on a cruel deception. He wasn't worth any of my anguish.

"I won't let you get away with this!" I declared, my voice resolute. Turning on my heel, I stormed out of the room, my heart aching with every step.

"She'll be back soon!" I heard Dell's mocking voice follow me.

Tears streamed down my face as I walked out of the room, but then I heard a flower vase shattered. "You bitch! Just die!" Sharon roared. Sharon hit a vase on my head, and that was when the pain set in.

"Ahh!" I winced in pain. I staggered towards the wall to lean on it because my strength failed me.

How could she do that to me? It wasn't enough that she betrayed me, but what? She wanted to kill me? My sister? Why would she do that?

"Are you crazy? Are you trying to kill her!" Dell panicked. "I don't care, she has to die or else she is going to screw us over!" I heard them argue behind me, but during that time I slipped out of the room dragging my weak body with me.

I couldn't feel my eyes, but I knew I had to escape from the two monsters. I couldn't get far. My head was bleeding excessively as my strength failed me, and I slumped to the floor.

"No, I can't stay, I need to leave here!" I mumbled running away from the scene, but I froze when I heard someone's footsteps.

I thought it was Dell or Sharon, but I relaxed as the person walked past me without saying a word. I couldn't let the person leave like that so I decided to ask for help.

"Please...help ..... me!" I pleaded with my quivering voice., and the person's steps halted walking towards me., I could feel a sharp pain in my head, but I couldn't afford to stop.

"Why should I?" The person asked with no warmth in his voice despite my state, but I didn't notice the chills that accompanied his voice.. Maybe the betrayal and pain I was feeling has numbed my sense to notice I might as well be in danger.

I grabbed the person's leg, and I helped myself up, but my legs were wobbly, and I lost my balance, but I felt a strong arm wrapped around my waist, which prevented me from falling.

My eyes were blurry, and I didn't quickly see the face of the person who saved me from falling, but when my vision cleared out, the person's face came into view which shocked me to my bones.

"You..what..are.." I panicked as I sprawled out of his embrace, but I staggered backwards only to be caught by him again.

"Are you trying to run from me? At least do that with a clear head" the cold man said, and my stomach turned churned in fear.

"You!" I gasped, trying to wriggle free, panic rising in my chest.

'Why him, of all people?'

##Chapter 2

Michelle's POV.

Bridal Shower Night 2

"You?" My eyes widened in shock seeing the man in front of me. ''What is he doing here?' I mulled in my head.

The man was someone I never wanted to have an encounter with, the most ruthless and arrogant member of Houston's family.

He didn't care about anything concerning his family, he brutally took judgment into his hands regardless of who the person was, even his siblings were no exceptions.

His power in the corporate world was well known even by regular workers or civilians. Rumor has it that he was once an underground Boss and still active.

And the person was no other than, the illegitimate son of Houston's family, Lucian Houston, the devil itself who cannot be controlled, my fiance's uncle.

His blazing green eyes were piercing into mine as I was in a pensive state, but after I realized the position we were in, I jolted out of my thoughts, and jerked up.

"Let's go" I mumbled weakly, referring to my waist, he refused to let go.

"Oh.." his baritone voice rang out. He helped me stand properly. His gaze remained the same even after he let go of my waist, cold and stiff.

"T-thank you" I stuttered, and wanted to bow slightly, but I was too weak to do that, my head was bleeding excessively and the man in front of me was looking indifferent.

"Wrong" he mumbled before walking out of me, but I was confused by his choice of words. He saw my state and the only thing he could utter was that.

Battling with my heartbreak, I refused to take such words. "What do you mea___"

I couldn't finish talking, when my vision became blurry and it was unbearable that I completely lost my balance, and fainted. "Hey! Wake up!" His voice was the last thing I heard.

********************

"Is she okay?" I heard his voice faintly as I opened my eyes slowly, wondering why we were in the same space"Where...am.. I?" I asked slowly, trying to recall something.

I could feel a bandage on my head, and a drip beside me, but the place was definitely not a hospital.

"Thank you" he said to the doctor, and the man left. I was unaware of what was happening or where I was, but the man looked so calm that I was getting scared.

"You woke up earlier than I expected, you must have a strong will to live" he said with a nonchalant shrug.

"You haven't answered my question yet" I said, sitting up. I was scared being in the same space with him was so intimidating that I couldn't look at him.

"As you can see you are still in the hotel, but this is my suite. You fainted."

It was still midnight, and I wondered how he was able to get a doctor here in the middle of the night. Well, what do I expect? He is Lucian Houston, his name would be useless if he couldn't do that.

"I did. You should have taken me to the hospital instead" I said, but he chuckled softly.

"I can't be seen with a random woman in a hospital, and I was expecting something like 'thank you', but you surprised me."

"T-thank you sir" I said, and wanted to get up from the bed. "I would not ask you how you get hurt, or why you get hurt, but you can stay here till morning" he said with an icy tone, taking a step to leave.

Then realization hits me. My wedding was just a few hours away and I definitely didn't have a groom anymore because I could never get married to a cheating bastard.

"Wait!" I exclaimed, trying to call him back, but I regretted it because I felt a sharp pain in my head. "Ahh!" I winced in pain.

He halted his steps and looked at me. "What?" He asked without any trace of warmth in his voice. "I will die if I leave this place." I grunted in pain.

"Why should I care?" he asked with a careless shrug.

"Like I said earlier, I wouldn't ask you anything, but it seems like someone wants you dead"

"If you stay in here like a coward and do nothing the person will later come for you. So, why don't you attack the person before they could form another defense?" He added, sounding like a mafia boss.

"What if I can't?" I asked, knowing nobody would believe anything I say including my own father.

He looked puzzled. "You should or you won't be at peace" he said. He chuckled and added. "Listen kid, everyone has a weak point where it hurts so bad."

But then realization hit me when he said those words, 'Weakness'. He turned around trying to take a step, but I stopped him subconsciously.

"Will you be my groom, then?"

He halted his steps and turned around with an amused gaze which I was unaware of, but I didn't care because he was the only one that could help me from the situation.

Like he said, everyone has a weakness, Dell would never stand up against his uncle or his family. Lucian was untouchable, he had nothing to fear, even if people didn't like it, they wouldn't dare to attack me.

I need him!

"What's your name?" That was the first thing he asked, and I was confused. I didn't expect him to be that calm after hearing my request.

"If I tell you my name will you agree?" I asked, trying my luck. "You should at least tell me your name first, as the person who saved you" He smirked cunningly.

"M-ichelle.....Michelle Whitney" I stuttered. He frowned, forming a line on his forehead before looking at me. "That sounds familiar" he mumbled, narrowed his eyes in suspicion, but I ignored it.

I was sure that was just one of the common names he always hears.

"My wedding is tomorrow, my fiance cheated on me with my step sister, and I found out tonight."

"Why do you need my help then?" He arched his eyebrows. "My fiance is your nephew, Dell Houston, no one would want to provoke your family, and if that wedding doesn't hold, it will be over for me, I can't face the consequences."

"I need a groom, and I think nobody will be able to help me, except for you" I said with a cracking voice, my eyes were misty with the tears I was holding back.

"You recognize me?" He said with a soft chuckle. "Who doesn't?" I looked confused, because the whole city would recognize his smell if needed, but then I thought he asked such a question because he was dressed with a low profile, and I wondered why.

I shrugged it off, because I didn't have the luxury to think about someone else's situation.

"I need your influence, I am willing to do anything, please be my contracted husband."

"I am sure I will be of use to you in some ways" I said, shivering with fear. I knew what I was doing was dangerous with the history of the man in town, most people would prefer losing their jobs rather than having a one on one conversation with him.

But I had no choice, that was my means of surviving that situation, it was worth giving it a try. I waited for him to respond to my request.

"A contract marriage? Sounds fun" he said, and that creeped me out. I wondered why he looked excited saying something like that.

"I will help you, on one condition" he smirked cunningly. I smelled trouble seeing his expression, but I cared less, I was ready to face the worst, I was able to survive in that cruel house, I didn't see anything to stop myself from bargaining with the devil.

"What is your condition?" I said politely, but with fear. "I will make the contract, and the clauses will be my rules" he said, which I find uncomfortable.

'I proposed the contract, why is he making the rules?' I pondered.

"You can leave and look for another groom, if you don't want to" he said with a nonchalant shrug, and wanted to leave the room.

"I will! L-let's do it, I accept your condition!"

##Chapter 3

Wedding Day.

Michelle's POV.

D-Day, it was my wedding day already.

"Why were you not in your room?" my friend, Bella, asked worriedly when she saw me going into my room with the heavy bandage on my head.

"What happened!" she screamed, and her voice echoed in the hotel hallway.

"What's wrong with your head? Why are your clothes stained with blood? Who did this to you?" She panicked.

"Calm down, Bell," I said. "Calm down? You really think I can do that after seeing you like this?"

"Let's go inside." I pulled her into my hotel room. "What's going on Michelle?" She asked impatiently, checking my head.

"I fell, and I was taken to the hospital. I am fine now" I lied, knowing Bella wouldn't stay calm if I told her about the incident. She would probably go berserk and make her family lose a lot of business deals.

Her anger cannot be suppressed by a super power and I wasn't ready for such action that morning. "What? You should have called me, I was worried all night, I tried your number several times, after you left the party room, I was so worried."

"You should rest for now, I will tell your parents to shift the time a little bit" Bella said, standing up, but I stopped her.

"No need, I can manage."

"You got injured, and you need to rest, the wedding can wait, your health matters" she said, but I know my parents would never accept unless my corpse was lying down.

"I am really fine, I can do this" I said, stretching my arms, trying to make her believe it.

"I will believe you, but if you ever feel any discomfort tell me right away, okay?"

"Yes, mummy Bella" I teased her.

************************************

I was dressed in my sophisticated wedding dress, which seemed like a huge punishment to me. I felt like I was punishing myself as I walked into the wedding hall.

I changed the bandage into a smaller one and it was covered with my hair. The pain was bearable thanks to the injection I got last night.

The spacious, extravagant hall yet classy was filled with people waiting for the groom to show up.

Unlike other weddings that always have their groom waiting for them, I had to wait for mine with the last hope in me.

'He promised to show up' I mulled in my head with a sweaty palm. I kept sweating profusely that I almost ruined my makeup.

"What's going on?" Bella, my friend, who was my maid of honor whispered from behind, but I didn't reply, because I wasn't at ease myself.

People started murmuring inside the hall. I looked in my stepmother's direction and I could see how angry she was, even my father's gaze held a lot of disgust.

My eyes became teary again, I looked away from them trying to fight back my tears, but then my gaze landed in an irritating direction.

Sharon was at the corner of the hall with an evil smirk plastered on her face. I shivered as I tried to control my tears.

I remembered how she smashed the flower vase on my head last night and all I could feel was the urge to ruin her. I wanted her to taste hell and beg for death, but what could I do when I was the one facing the biggest downfall.

'Did I get tricked again? I shouldn't have trusted him,' I blamed myself. Tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably, as I heard insults thrown at me by a few guests.

The guest got angry, and they all wanted to leave, but they all stopped when the door opened wide with a bright light ray, which was blinding. A masculine figure walked in, looking like a runaway model.

They were all curious to see his face, since they couldn't see his face because of the light, their gaze was on him.

"Where are you all going when the wedding has just started?" His baritone voice rang out despite the size of the crowd without using a megaphone.

'He is here!' I smiled faintly, with a relieved sigh.

"Lucian Houston?" The crowd was shocked immediately when they heard his voice. I looked at Sharon's direction, and her expression was more shocking than the situation. She looked like she saw a grim reaper coming after her soul.

"It's your wedding day, you shouldn't cry" Lucian said, wiping my tears slowly. He was quite a pretender, people would think we have been dating for a long time seeing how he was touching my face.

"You are late" I said tonelessly. "Had to attend to something, I am here now, your groom is right here."

"Shall we?" He asked for my hand. We said our vows, and I was surprised he didn't omit any words as promised. It was just a contract marriage, I didn't expect him to complete his vows, and I swayed away by his serious gaze as he said those words.

"You may now kiss the bride."

I looked at him, and shook my head telling him not to do it, but that was fruitless. I was caught off guard when he pulled my waist closer to him, and smashed his lips on mine.

He kissed me slowly, and affectionately. His warm lips made me follow his rhythm, he made sure he didn't touch my head because of the wound. I almost started to enjoy it, but he stopped, and he winked at me after letting go of my lips.

''Jerk!' I thought. He almost toy with me, but I wasn't ready to fall for another Houston.

I looked away from him, and stared at the figure, who was immersed in fear from afar, Dell. Lucian traced my gaze direction, and immediately his gaze fell on him, Dell left the hall with Sharon, not being able to withstand him.

"Let's go," he said with a cold gaze. "Okay" I said, and looked behind me, searching for my still shocked friend. She gave me a questioning gaze, but I didn't have the luxury to explain.

"Later Bell" I said hurriedly.

We left the hall, and I noticed the hall was loudly quiet. No one has the balls to say a word of criticism or complain. Even my stepmother couldn't come and say what was in her mind.

An extravagant car stopped in front of us, with three cars filled with bodyguards, behind it.

"Get in" he said, not opening the door for me, but I didn't expect much from him.

It has been a few minutes since the drive started, and I didn't ask where our destination was. "Where are we going?" I asked slowly.

"To make the contract" he said, not saying the exact location. I didn't bother saying any words.

"Take this" he said, motioning me to collect the medicine from him. I collected it with a questioning gaze.

"The doctor prescribed it, you shouldn't get sick if you really want to get back at them."

"Thank you, Mr Houston" I mumbled.

After some time, the car pulled up in front of a penthouse. They got down from the car without saying anything, but I knew I was meant to follow him.

I almost got the wrong idea after he kissed me, but he made sure I came back to my senses.

The Villa was no ordinary, even his doors were meant to impress. We sat across from each other. I was staring blankly at the space because I couldn't afford exchanging gaze with him. We just exchanged vows and things were so awkward for me.

He called someone in which I suspected to be his assistant, he always showed on the news with Lucian. The man came in with a file in his hands.

He bowed slightly after dropping it on the table, and left immediately. "Read carefully before signing, there's no going back after reading the clauses" He said with an expressionless face.

'It's a marriage contract, what is special about it?' I mulled in my head.

I opened the papers and started reading the clauses. It was going smooth until a particular clause caught my attention.

"Party B{Michelle} must.....what?" I gasped in surprise. I was tricked!