Your Uncle’s My Husband Now Back Off, Ex! novel Chapter 3

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

Nyla felt a wave of nausea crash over her, an overwhelming tide that made her heart race and her stomach twist. In a frantic motion, she unclasped the necklace from around her neck, the weight of it suddenly unbearable. Without a second thought, she hurled it into the bedroom trash can, the diamonds clinking against the cold metal, a sound that echoed her turmoil.

She darted into the guest bathroom, her mind racing as she turned on the shower. The scalding water hit her skin like fire, but the pain was a welcome distraction from the chaos swirling in her mind. She needed to cleanse herself, to wash away every trace of Clark, every lingering memory of his touch that felt tainted now.

Grabbing the shower gel, she squeezed out a generous amount and began to scrub her neck and body with frantic urgency. Each stroke felt like a battle against the remnants of their intimacy, and as her skin turned a furious red from the harsh scrubbing, the feeling of filth clung to her like a second skin. The thought of that necklace adorning another woman’s neck made her stomach churn violently.

She couldn’t shake the image from her mind—of the necklace swaying as that woman moved beneath Clark, a grotesque vision that made her insides twist.

Suddenly, the bathroom door swung open, and there stood Clark, framed in the doorway, his eyes locked onto her through the glass shower door. His gaze traveled hungrily over her wet hair, down her shoulders, and followed the droplets of water that traced her curves, igniting a fire within him.

“Nyla, you’re so beautiful,” he breathed, his voice thick with desire, each word dripping with a longing that made her skin crawl.

She heard him, and instinctively, she wrapped herself in a towel, stepping out of the shower, but the thought that he might have looked at that other woman with the same lust made her feel sick to her core.

“Don’t come near me,” she warned, taking several steps back, her heart pounding in her chest, but Clark was already closing the distance between them.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” He reached out to touch her cheek, but she recoiled, dodging his hand as if it were a venomous snake.

Unfazed, Clark stepped closer, pulling her into his arms with a force that made her heart race for all the wrong reasons. His hands began to roam, caressing her back through the towel, and then they ventured lower, igniting a conflict within her.

“Nyla, I want you,” he whispered in her ear, his breath warm against her damp skin, sending shivers down her spine.

Her body tensed, rigid with resistance. She tried to pull away, but he was stronger, his hand moving to her breast, thumb brushing over the sensitive skin, while his other hand slid dangerously close to her inner thigh.

“Let’s have a baby, okay?” His voice was filled with a yearning that made her heart ache. “We could have a beautiful child. A little girl with your eyes.”

Ice water coursed through her veins at his words. She thought of the photo that woman had sent, the same hands that were now touching her had roamed another woman’s body just hours ago. The anger and disgust bubbled up inside her like a volcano ready to erupt.

“Get away from me!” Nyla shouted, summoning every ounce of strength to push him away. “Clark, I’m tired! I don’t want to do this right now!”

He stumbled backward, taken aback by the ferocity of her outburst, confusion clouding his features as he stared at her.

“Honey, I’m sorry,” he said, his voice thick with guilt. “I shouldn’t have pushed you. I just want you so badly. I love you so much.”

He paused, searching her face for understanding. “If you don’t want a child right now, we can wait.”

As she watched Clark’s apologetic expression, a whirlwind of emotions churned in her stomach. This man had been her rock for three years, gentle and caring, yet she couldn’t reconcile this version of him with the one who had betrayed her trust just the night before.

But the evidence was undeniable. The photos. The messages. The necklace lying discarded in the trash.

That night, Nyla lay wide awake, staring at the ceiling, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. Clark’s breathing was even beside her, a stark contrast to the storm raging in her mind. The painful images replayed over and over, taunting her until dawn broke, and sleep eluded her.

The next morning, Nyla woke with dark circles under her eyes, her reflection in the mirror revealing a hollow, tired visage that felt foreign to her.

“Honey, are you feeling okay?” Clark asked, concern etched on his face. “You look exhausted. Maybe you should rest today.”

Nyla shook her head, determination surging within her. “I’m fine. We need to get ready for your grandfather’s birthday party.”

As they drove through the grand gates of the Summer family estate, a sleek black Rolls-Royce suddenly roared past them, coming to an abrupt stop right in front of the main entrance. The license plate read “DAMON-1,” a sight that sent a chill down Nyla’s spine.

Clark’s hands tightened around the steering wheel, his face darkening with a storm of emotions. “Uncle Damon,” he muttered under his breath, a mix of irritation and dread.

Clark immediately backed down, his expression shifting. “Honey, that’s not what I meant. I just don’t want people to get the wrong idea.”

Ignoring him, Nyla continued walking toward the entrance, her heart heavy with the weight of their unspoken conflict.

The Summer family manor loomed before them, impressive with its grand foyer and sparkling crystal chandeliers. But for Nyla, there was no joy in being here, only a sense of dread.

Inside the living room, Clark’s grandmother Marie immediately called out, her face lighting up with a beaming smile. “Nyla, Clark, you’re here! Come sit down!”

Nyla took a deep breath, forcing a polite smile onto her face. Despite her feelings about Clark, she still held a deep respect for his grandparents. Richard had always treated her with kindness, and she didn’t want to tarnish that.

“Hello, Grandpa. Hello, Grandma,” she greeted them warmly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

Marie’s eyes sparkled as she watched Clark and Nyla approach, a glimmer of hope in her gaze. She had been trying to convince Damon to settle down for years, and perhaps she saw a glimmer of possibility in Nyla and Clark’s union.

“Come, sit here next to me,” Marie patted the sofa beside her, her smile infectious.

As they settled in, Damon entered the living room, and Marie’s expression shifted to one of disapproval, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“Look at Clark,” she said pointedly to Damon. “He’s got his company running smoothly, and his wife is absolutely beautiful. They might be giving us a great-grandchild soon.”

Her voice grew stern, her tone leaving no room for argument. “And you? You’re almost thirty and still single. If you don’t bring a girlfriend to the next family gathering, don’t bother coming at all!”

Damon’s gaze flicked to Clark, then settled on Nyla, a half-smile curving his lips, as if he found amusement in the situation.

“Yes,” he said quietly, his voice smooth. “Really beautiful.”