Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 164: Chapter 164

Marvin drove me back to Honeydew Estate. He seemed like he had lost his soul, as though he needed time to fully process everything he had just learned.
The entire drive, Marvin remained silent. It was not until we stopped that he finally spoke. "Ivan has gone back to Newton City."
I paused for a moment, then nodded. "We can talk about it tomorrow. It's getting late."
"Laurel, are you going back to the Parks family?" Marvin asked, his gaze filled with concern.
I nodded again, looking at him calmly as I gently patted his shoulder. "I will be fine. Go back and get some sleep."
After saying that, I turned and walked inside. But Marvin remained where he was, lingering.
I knew he would wait until I was gone before he left. He was just worried about me.
When I opened the door to my room, I saw Alex sitting quietly on the couch. His brow was furrowed, his gaze fixed downward. He cleared his throat softly and slowly stood up.
His face was clouded with anger, and his sharp eyes cut through me like a blade. "I thought you weren't coming back."
I blinked and instinctively took a step back, but Alex grabbed my wrist, preventing me from retreating.
"It hurts. Let go," I snapped, furrowing my brows as I looked coldly at him. "There is no one else here. You do not need to put on a show for me."
Earlier, he had claimed to be heading back to the company but had instead stayed with another woman, pretending not to know me. And now, he had the nerve to lecture me.
I didn't understand why I was so angry. Maybe it was because I had been holding in so much sadness and pain. I needed a way to release it.
I knew Alex had a bad temper. His usually calm, polite demeanor was just a façade he put on.
But it was only when he was with another woman that I saw the real Alex, the one I had never imagined.
In truth, I wasn't as heartbroken as I expected to be. I had simply been used, and I had known it all along.
The price had been clearly set from the beginning, so there was no need to be upset.
Austin had sold me to a wealthy man and destroyed my innocence. Alex, on the other hand, had clearly used me to eliminate obstacles for the woman he loved, willing to take my life if necessary.
It seemed the Herrera family was full of people with no moral compass.
"What's wrong?" Alex lowered his voice, his eyes focusing on the red, swollen skin on the back of my hand. I tried to pull my hand away, but he only tightened his grip.
"It's just a burn. It has nothing to do with you," I said coldly.
"Laurel, who did you meet today?" Alex asked.
"And you?" I smiled faintly, looking at him.
After Marvin picked me up and we were in the car with Adair, I kept my guard up, making sure no one followed us.
I was certain Alex didn't know where I had been. Running into him had been pure coincidence.
"Laurel, do not forget your place." Alex's eyes now held a hint of anger.
I laughed at myself. The Herrera family's men were exactly the same. They were all so possessive. They could flirt with anyone, but the moment their woman interacted with another man, they exploded.
I forced a self-deprecating smile. "Don't worry. I will play by the rules until we're divorced. I won't give you any reason to accuse me of cheating."
Upon hearing my words, Alex's rage didn't subside; if anything, it seemed to burn even hotter.
"Let go. You're hurting me," I bit my lip and winced slightly.
"Laurel, let me give you a piece of advice; keep a proper distance from Marvin, or I will make sure he pays for it," Alex growled, before finally releasing my wrist.
Just then, my phone buzzed. The only person who could be sending me a message this late was Marvin.
As I turned to leave, Alex grabbed my arm again. "Aren't you going to check that message?"
Alex's lips curled into a bright, almost charming smile, but there was something cold and menacing in his eyes that sent a chill down my spine.
"Spam," I said flatly.
Alex chuckled lightly. "I forgot your hand was injured. Let me take a look for you."
My heart skipped a beat. I reached for my phone in my pocket, but I was a second too slow.
Alex held the phone to my face, unlocking it with facial recognition.
I cursed inwardly. 'Damn facial recognition system, I am going to turn that off as soon as I can.'
"Don't rush. Let's check it together," Alex said with a playful tone, swiping the screen. The moment he saw the message, his expression froze.
I bit my lip, staring at the glowing screen, feeling my breath catch in my throat.
Sure enough, it was a message from Marvin. [Laurel, no matter what decision you make, I will support you. But there is one thing. I cannot lose you.]
Alex suddenly laughed, his voice soft and teasing. "Can't lose you? What are you planning to do?"
Seeing Marvin's message, I couldn't help but sigh in relief.
I hadn't gone back to the Parks family yet. I couldn't tell Alex about my identity just yet. The more pressing concern was that Alex's stance on the Parks family was unclear. I didn't want to tip my hand too early.
And there were too many secrets about Alex that I didn't know. I could never fully trust him.
No, it scratched that a man who wanted my life was far more dangerous than Austin.
"Can't you see? Am I not allowed to have anyone by my side while you're free to play around with your pretty ladies?" I lifted my gaze to Alex, and just that one glance sent a chill creeping down my spine. My heart skipped a beat.
"Seems like he has a lot of free time lately," Alex said with a sly smile curling at the corners of his lips. "Doesn't he know you're married?"
"He knows." I moved closer to him, slowly raising my finger to trace along the sharp line of his jaw. I spoke slowly, enunciating each word. "Don't you know you have a wife, huh? Why is there a lady hiding in your arms then?"
Without warning, Alex pulled me into his embrace.
I frowned slightly, a hint of disgust flashing in my eyes. "I forgot to mention that I also have a bit of a cleanliness obsession. I don't like using someone else's leftovers."
With that, I pushed him away and turned, heading toward the guest bedroom.
Although I couldn't see Alex's expression, I could feel the coldness gathering at the back of my head, like a storm brewing.
I didn't mean to anger him. My intention was simply to make Alex understand that if he could have his flings, then he had no right to make demands of me. With his capabilities, he must have already investigated everything between Marvin and me.
This vague and ambiguous message was nothing more than a blow to Alex's pride. A man who didn't care whether I lived or died certainly wouldn't be bothered by who I loved.
The next morning, I woke up to find Alex already sitting at the dining table. Breakfast was neatly arranged in front of him.
He looked up and met my eyes, still wearing that gentle smile, as if yesterday's tension had been selectively forgotten.