Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 293: Chapter 293

When I was five, my mother worked at a factory under a false name. She left me in the care of our neighbor while she was at work.
Even after having a child, my mom was still beautiful. There was something about her, a natural poise, that set her apart from the people around her. She was never short of admirers, even with me by her side.
The Nelson siblings were little tyrants, wild and unrestrained. Hallie's eyes gleamed with malice whenever she yanked my hair, while Jesse would always smile wickedly as he kicked my shins. Fresh bruises layering over old ones became my everyday reality. Getting beaten up was routine for me.
Their mother was the sweetest person, or so it seemed. On the outside, she was warm and compassionate, the epitome of a kind-hearted woman. She would go out of her way to help elderly folks cross the street, gently comfort crying children, and feed stray cats and dogs.
The whole neighborhood sang her praises, but she was a completely different person at home. She ruled over her own kids with an iron fist, beating them mercilessly and forbidding them from shedding a single tear.
As for me? She would dig her nails deep into my arms when no one was looking, leaving marks that burned long after she let go, but I dared not make a sound. I would curl up in a corner, trembling, biting my lip until it bled.
Hallie never held back when she tormented me. She once snipped my mother's beautiful dresses into shreds, laughing as the fabric fell to the floor. Sometimes, she even tortured animals, her eyes cold and unfeeling as she did it.
Jesse had sticky fingers from a young age, pocketing money with swift, practiced movements. Even when caught red-handed, he would glare defiantly, refusing to own up to his guilt.
But the moment they stepped outside, they became perfect little angels—well-mannered, respectful, and exactly what every parent hopes for.
Back then, I was convinced they were possessed. That was the only explanation that made sense.
I told my mother everything, sobbing as I showed her the bruises. She gently touched my wounds with a look of shock and pain but also disbelief.
To her, Mrs. Nelson was a kind, hardworking woman raising two kids on her own after her husband's accident. Who would believe a child's word over someone so virtuous?
Then, one day, Mrs. Nelson disappeared.
Jesse and Hallie's grandmother rushed over from the countryside to take them away. It turned out their mother had sold their home, taken every penny of their savings, and run off.
With no other choice, the siblings followed their grandmother back to the village. My mother and I moved out of that building shortly afterward.
After all these years, Jesse's eerie voice still haunted me during stormy nights. He loved telling ghost stories before bed, his voice unnervingly chilling, with a sinister laugh that made my skin crawl. That same voice dragged me back into the past I thought I had buried.
By evening, it was still raining outside. Alex pushed open my bedroom door and walked in.
"What're you doing in here?" I narrowed my eyes, staring at him in irritation.
"Aren't you waiting for me?" Alex replied.
I didn't deny it nor admit that I was waiting for him. I just wanted to know if Ivan was okay.
"Ivan's in the hospital. His right leg is fractured. The doctor says he's in a stable condition," Alex said as he stepped inside and locked the door behind him.
I lowered my head, instinctively gripping the hem of my shirt.
"I'm taking a shower," Alex said.
I nodded but quickly realized—this was my room.
Before I could react, the bathroom door had already shut.
Moments later, Alex came out, wearing nothing but a bathrobe loosely draped over him, revealing defined lines of his neck and broad chest. He stared at me, his brows furrowed. "Since when are you so close to Ivan?" he asked.
I was caught off guard, but I met his gaze calmly. "Close? Not really. Our relationship just isn't as hostile as before."
Alex suddenly leaned in, lips curling into a smirk. "Oh? I thought maybe you're into younger guys now," he quipped.
Heat rushed to my cheeks as I was inches from his striking face. I glared at him and turned my head away, grumbling under my breath, "I'm pregnant now, am I not? I'm being watched day and night. Do you think I'd even get the chance to fool around?"
These words set him off. Alex's face flushed with anger, a vein throbbing in his forehead. He grabbed my wrist, his eyes burning with fury. "So, you would if you had the chance?"
Flustered, I struggled to free my hand, but he wouldn't let go. "I'm going to bed," I muttered.
My eyes darted to his loosely tied bathrobe, and my face flushed even more. He was practically throwing himself at me, wasn't he?
"What's wrong? Why's your face all red?" Alex asked playfully, his eyes glinting with mischief. His fingers brushed against my cheek, his touch cool against my warm skin.
I slapped his hand away and snapped, "Go back to your room."
"This is my room too. I'm sleeping here tonight," Alex replied plainly as he pulled me into his arms, holding me firmly in place. Resting his chin on top of my head, he murmured, "Once I recover, you'll be sorry you ever messed with me."
His warm breath tickled my scalp. My cheeks were burning, and I felt my heart pounding in my ears. I peeked up at him, only to meet his piercing gaze, dark and inscrutable.
I kept my composure and softly pushed against his chest, averting my gaze. I couldn't look him in the eye. "Who took Ivan to the hospital?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Alex didn't loosen his grip on me. He sneered and replied, "Juliet's new boy toy. Apparently, he just happened to be there. But Ivan claims he never called for help. He said he passed out and dialed the number by accident. Do you think I'd buy that?"
A chill ran down my spine. I bit my lip and hesitated for a moment before asking, "Juliet still hasn't recovered her memory. Why would she suddenly start dating someone?"
"Mr. Woods is a good catch. He's got money and power behind him. She's not dumb. Why wouldn't she go for him?" Alex replied, narrowing his eyes slightly as he scrutinized my face, making my hair stand on end.
"Mr. Woods?" I pondered aloud.
Before I could say anything else, Alex tightened his hold around my waist, pulling me closer, his nose nearly brushing mine. "Who are you really interested in? Mr. Woods or Ivan?" he murmured with an edge to his voice.
My breath hitched, but I forced a smile, resting a hand against his chest as I quipped, "Neither of them hold a candle to you."
Alex's lips curled into a satisfied smile, clearly pleased with my answer.
Thunder rumbled outside as rain pounded against the windows.
My heart raced as I squirmed in his arms, trying to pull away, but he was faster, tilting his head down and pressing his lips onto mine. The kiss was deep and unrelenting. A tingling sensation spread throughout my body, leaving me breathless and my mind spinning.
His hands began to wander, his throat tightening as he gazed at me. At first, I tried to resist, but slowly, I was swept up in an overwhelming desire, losing all sense of restraint.