Your Uncle’s My Husband Now Back Off, Ex! novel Chapter 28

**Through Unseen Doors We Step Into Untold Worlds Beyond by Sage Hunter Lane 28**

Nyla felt her heart skip a beat at Sasha’s direct inquiry, a warm blush creeping onto her cheeks. She quickly composed herself, masking her embarrassment with a frown and asserting, “You’re reading too much into it, Sasha.”

Sasha’s brow furrowed as she pressed on, “Really? But that look in his eyes… it was something else.”

Before Sasha could elaborate, Nyla swiftly interjected, “And he’s my uncle-in-law.”

The revelation left Sasha momentarily speechless, her mouth agape in disbelief. “What? Uncle-in-law? You mean your husband’s uncle?”

“Exactly,” Nyla replied with a firmness that brooked no argument. “So let’s not revisit that topic, okay?”

Sasha caught the gravity of Nyla’s expression, and although her mind was still swirling with questions, she decided to drop the matter. “Alright, I get it. But…”

“No buts,” Nyla said, pivoting back to her workstation with a determined focus, eager to shift the conversation away.

Sasha returned to her seat, a huff escaping her lips, but the glimmer of intrigue still sparkled in her eyes. She mused silently: Even if he is an uncle-in-law, that look he gave her was anything but ordinary.

The morning hours sped by in a whirlwind of tasks and responsibilities. As noon approached, Nyla was engrossed in sorting through a mountain of experimental data when her phone buzzed insistently. Glancing at the screen, she was taken aback to see her stepmother, Wren, calling.

“Wren?” Nyla answered, a hint of curiosity in her tone.

“Nyla, are you free tonight? I’d like to invite you to dinner,” Wren’s voice wavered with an unusual hesitance.

Nyla raised an eyebrow; it was rare for Wren to extend such an invitation. “Of course. Is there something special we need to discuss?”

“It’s better to talk face to face. Meet me at 7 p.m. at Round Roof Restaurant. I’ve reserved a table,” Wren replied quickly, as if eager to end the call.

When the clock struck seven, Nyla arrived at Round Roof Restaurant right on time. The establishment exuded an air of sophistication, adorned with elegant decor and a warm ambiance that wrapped around her like a soft blanket. The waiter escorted her to her reserved table, strategically positioned next to the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.

Just as she settled in and ordered a glass of water, her gaze was drawn outside, and she froze, her breath catching in her throat. There, in the glow of the evening light, was Jordyn, draped in a striking red dress and looking every bit the part of a glamorous socialite. She was linked arm-in-arm with Clark, who was clad in a sharp black suit, his eyes filled with a tender affection as he gazed at her. They appeared to be the epitome of a loving couple, and the sight sliced through Nyla’s heart like a knife.

Memories flooded her mind, taking her back to her own wedding day with Clark when he had solemnly vowed before the priest: “For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, I will love you and be true to you until death do us part.” Those words echoed painfully in her thoughts, now tainted by the reality of their shifting relationship.

Nyla inhaled deeply, attempting to quell the rising bitterness that threatened to consume her. She cast her eyes downward, refusing to let herself be ensnared by the sight of them together again.

“Sorry I’m late,” Wren said breathlessly as she hurried over and took a seat across from Nyla.

“It’s alright, I just got here myself,” Nyla replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “What would you like to eat?”

After they placed their orders, Nyla noticed Wren fidgeting restlessly, her fingers tapping nervously on the table.

“Wren, what’s the matter? You sounded anxious on the phone,” Nyla inquired, concern creeping into her voice.

As they drove back to the hospital, Nyla reached into her bag and pulled out a thick brown paper bag, handing it to Wren.

“What’s this?” Wren asked, her brow furrowed in confusion as she accepted the package.

“Two hundred thousand dollars in cash for Dad’s medical treatment,” Nyla replied with a calm demeanor.

Wren’s eyes widened in shock as she opened the bag, revealing a hefty stack of cash. “Where on earth did you get all this money?”

“I sold all the bags and jewelry Clark gave me,” Nyla said with a wry smile, a hint of bitterness lacing her words. “I was so naive back then. For him, I sacrificed a drug patent worth billions and chose to be the perfect wife and mother. Only to find out in the end that I was just a canary in his cage.”

Wren’s heart broke as she listened, tears welling in her eyes. “Nyla…”

“Don’t pity me,” Nyla said gently, squeezing Wren’s hand. “This has been a crucial lesson in my life. It came at a great cost, but it has helped me grow immensely.”

After dropping Wren off at the hospital, Nyla drove back to her apartment, her mind swirling with thoughts and emotions.

As she stepped out of the elevator, her heart sank at the sight of Clark leaning against her doorstep, a few cigarette butts scattered on the floor. It was clear he had been waiting there for quite some time.

Upon noticing Nyla’s return, Clark quickly extinguished his cigarette and approached her, his eyes flashing with anger. “I heard you went to Round Roof today. Who were you having dinner with?”