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- Herausgeber: Publishdrive
- Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
- Sprache: Englisch
On their third wedding anniversary, Clark Summer gifted his wife a diamond necklace named "Love Nyla," broadcasting his devotion to the world. But while the public swooned, Nyla sat alone in their empty home, staring at a photo sent by a stranger: her husband’s new secretary, Jordyn, wearing that same necklace, tangled in Clark’s arms.
For three years, Nyla had been the perfect, submissive wife. In return, she received betrayal, humiliation from her mother-in-law, and Clark’s sickening justification that his affair was merely a "physical necessity" while he still loved her. He believed Nyla was trapped, tethered to him by her father’s astronomical medical bills. He thought she would swallow the insults and raise his mistress's child.
He was wrong.
Selling their mansion, gathering evidence, and delivering irrefutable proof of her infidelity… Nera turned and left, donning a white lab coat instead of an apron, transforming overnight into a top-tier pharmaceutical researcher who had astonished the industry.
When Clark, with belated repentance and red-eyed pleading for her return, saw his icy ex-wife being gently embraced by his uncle Damon, he saw the aloof man before him. The superior man coldly glanced at his nephew, his voice low and dangerous: "What are you calling 'wife'? Call her 'auntie'."
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2026
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Your Uncle’s My Husband Now—Back Off, Ex!
On their third wedding anniversary, Clark Summer gifted his wife a diamond necklace named "Love Nyla," broadcasting his devotion to the world. But while the public swooned, Nyla sat alone in their empty home, staring at a photo sent by a stranger: her husband’s new secretary, Jordyn, wearing that same necklace, tangled in Clark’s arms.
For three years, Nyla had been the perfect, submissive wife. In return, she received betrayal, humiliation from her mother-in-law, and Clark’s sickening justification that his affair was merely a "physical necessity" while he still loved her. He believed Nyla was trapped, tethered to him by her father’s astronomical medical bills. He thought she would swallow the insults and raise his mistress's child.
He was wrong.
Selling their mansion, gathering evidence, and delivering irrefutable proof of her infidelity… Nera turned and left, donning a white lab coat instead of an apron, transforming overnight into a top-tier pharmaceutical researcher who had astonished the industry.
When Clark, with belated repentance and red-eyed pleading for her return, saw his icy ex-wife being gently embraced by his uncle Damon, he saw the aloof man before him. The superior man coldly glanced at his nephew, his voice low and dangerous: "What are you calling 'wife'? Call her 'auntie'."
CONTENTS
Your Uncle’s My Husband Now—Back Off, Ex!
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132
Chapter 133
Chapter 134
Chapter 135
Chapter 136
Chapter 137
Chapter 138
Chapter 139
Chapter 140
Chapter 141
Chapter 142
Chapter 143
Chapter 144
Chapter 145
Chapter 146
Chapter 147
Chapter 148
Chapter 149
Chapter 150
Chapter 151
Chapter 152
Chapter 153
Chapter 154
Chapter 155
Chapter 156
Chapter 157
Chapter 158
Chapter 159
Chapter 160
Chapter 161
Chapter 162
Chapter 163
Chapter 164
Chapter 165
Chapter 166
Chapter 167
Chapter 168
Chapter 169
Chapter 170
Chapter 171
Chapter 172
Chapter 173
Chapter 174
Chapter 175
Chapter 176
Chapter 177
Chapter 178
Chapter 179
Chapter 180
Chapter 181
Chapter 182
Chapter 183
Chapter 184
Chapter 185
Chapter 186
Chapter 187
Chapter 188
Chapter 189
Chapter 190
Chapter 191
Chapter 192
Chapter 193
Chapter 194
Chapter 195
Chapter 196
Chapter 197
Chapter 198
Chapter 199
Chapter 200
Chapter 1
"Nyla, are you sure you want me to draft a divorce agreement?" Valarie's voice crackled through the phone, hesitant and worried. "Think about it. Once you sign this, you and Clark will have nothing to do with each other anymore."
Nyla stared at the amber liquid in her glass. The whiskey burned her throat, but nothing could burn away the images from last night. Her fingers tightened around the phone.
"Yes," she said finally. "I'm leaving him."
"Why?" Valarie's confusion bled through the speaker. "Clark's been so good to you. He loves you so much..."
Nyla almost laughed. Love. What a joke. She pressed her lips together, fighting back the bitter taste rising in her throat.
After hanging up, Nyla looked out the window. The massive LED screen on the skyscraper across the street was still playing that damn press conference. Clark stood there in his perfect suit, holding up that ridiculous jewelry piece.
Using the world's finest diamonds and gemstones, he had created a one-of-a-kind piece for his wife.
It was named "Love Nyla."
He named it after Nyla, declaring to the world his eternal love for her. Upon its release, "Love Nyla" instantly ignited social media discussion, remaining a hot topic.
The world was buzzing about their enviable love.
Outside, the LED screens continued to replay the video, but Nyla chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"Love me?" she muttered to herself. "Love me enough to sleep with another woman on our anniversary night?"
Last night was their third wedding anniversary. Clark had said he wanted to surprise her and asked her to wait for him at home. Nyla wore Clark's favorite white dress, lit candles, and prepared his favorite dinner, waiting eagerly until late at night.
She had waited. And waited. Midnight came and went.
At one in the morning, her phone suddenly buzzed with a Facebook friend request. A strange profile picture with the note "A surprise for you."
Nyla was about to reject the message outright, but then the person sent another message: [Are you still awake? Is it because your husband isn't with you?]
Nyla's alarm bells went off. How did this person know Clark wasn't home? She didn't accept the friend request, but the messages kept coming: [Stop pretending, I know you're reading this.]
[Your husband is with me now.]
[I was scared of thunder, so he worried about me and came to keep me company.]
[What a good man, but it's a shame he's not good for you alone.]
Each message stabbed Nyla like a knife in the heart. Her hands trembled. Her mind told her it might be a prank, but deep down, a voice frantically questioned it.
The last message completely broke her defenses: [If you don't believe me, I'll send you the address. The door lock code is your wedding anniversary.]
Nyla couldn't sit still any longer. With trembling fingers, she accepted the friend request. The other party immediately sent an address and a password: 0823. It was indeed their anniversary.
Nyla rushed out of the house like a madman and drove to the address. It was an upscale apartment. She stood in front of the door, her finger hovering over the combination lock, her heart pounding.
She entered 0823, and the lock clicked and the door opened.
A men's suit jacket lay scattered in the hallway. She recognized it as the three-year anniversary gift she had given Clark, which Clark had worn when he left that morning.
A pair of black lace panties lay on the sofa in the living room, and a wine glass with a woman's lipstick stain on it lay on the coffee table.
From the hallway to the bedroom, men's and women's clothing was scattered everywhere. The most striking thing was a red lace nightgown, torn to shreds, lying by the bedroom door.
Nyla's legs were so weak she could barely stand, but she still trembled as she pushed open the half-open bedroom door. On the bed, Clark, naked, embraced another woman. The woman knelt on the bed, her head buried between Clark's legs, licking Clark's penis.
Clark's eyes were closed, his face a look of enjoyment, moaning, "Yes, that's it, great..."
The woman asked proudly, "Am I better, or is Nyla better?"
Clark replied, "You think you can compare with Nyla, you little slut?"
Then he spun the woman around, grabbed her hips from behind, and thrust wildly. The woman's moans mingled with Clark's heavy gasps.
The scene completely devastated Nyla.
Eight years had passed, from their innocent college romance to their current marriage. Everyone had envied their love, saying they were a match made in heaven. But now, it all seemed so absurd. She covered her mouth, resisting the urge to vomit, and fled the nauseating place.
She drove to a bar downtown and sat alone in a corner, drinking furiously. The sharp taste of the whiskey stung her throat, but it couldn't numb the pain in her heart. When Valarie received her call and rushed to the bar, Nyla was already completely drunk.
"Nyla!" Valarie's voice cut through her memories as she slid into the booth across from her, face etched with worry. "Why are you so drunk? What happened? Did Clark make you mad?"
Drunk Nyla looked at her with red eyes. "Val, I don't want to hear that name right now."
Nyla took another swig of the whiskey in front of her, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. "Val, I saw him hooking up with that woman right in front of me. It's definitely not a misunderstanding."
Valarie saw her friend's pained expression and held her hand with a heartache. "Nyla, maybe you two can talk it out..."
"There's nothing to talk about," Nyla interrupted decisively. "Divorce. Every time I think about him hooking up with that woman, I feel sick."
Chapter 2
Nyla returned home and sat on the living room sofa, staring at her phone. The number she had just dialed glowed on the screen. After calming down from her anger and pain, she had to face reality. A divorce required financial independence. Clark was covering all of her father's monthly medical expenses. The bills reached a staggering $100,000 each month. She simply couldn't afford it.
Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through her contacts. She stopped at a familiar name. Professor Anderson. Her former research supervisor from graduate school.
"Professor Anderson? This is Nyla. Nyla Jayston." She tried to sound calm, but her voice cracked slightly.
A surprised voice came from the other end. "Nyla! Oh my god, are you okay? I haven't been in touch since you got married three years ago."
Nyla bit her lip hard. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. "Professor, I want to return to research. I know this sounds sudden, but I need a job."
"Of course!" Professor Anderson agreed without hesitation. "You're one of the best students I've ever taught. Your thesis on molecular biology was groundbreaking. I can contact you right now with a company that's looking for a senior researcher position. The salary is excellent."
"Thank you," Nyla whispered. Relief flooded through her chest. "I really appreciate this."
"Don't mention it. You have incredible talent. It's a shame you left research when you got married. When can you start?"
"As soon as possible."
After hanging up, Nyla felt a small spark of hope. She could do this. She could leave Clark and rebuild her life.
She walked into their bedroom and began packing. Her hands moved mechanically, folding clothes and placing them in a suitcase. Hanging in the closet were the matching pajamas they'd bought on their honeymoon in Paris. On the dresser sat a small angel figurine they'd brought back from Italy. On the wall were photos of them at the beach, laughing and kissing under the sunset.
Each item silently spoke of past sweetness. Yet now they stabbed her heart like knives. How had she been so blind? How had she missed the signs?
She opened the dresser drawer to retrieve some personal belongings. Her wedding ring caught the light, mocking her. Then she saw it. The marriage certificate.
With trembling hands, Nyla picked it up. She flipped to the first page, revealing two young, radiant faces. Her own smile was so bright it hurt to look at. Clark's eyes shone with pure joy.
It was August 23rd, three years ago. To become the first couple to receive their marriage certificate that day, they had woken up at four in the morning to queue at the registry office. Clark had been as excited as a child. He spoke nervously throughout the entire ride.
"Nyla, we're really getting married," he had said, bouncing in the passenger seat. "I feel like I'm eighteen again. Like the first time I saw you in Professor Wilson's chemistry class."
When the staff handed them the marriage certificate, Clark's hands had trembled violently. He took it carefully, as if it were made of glass. Tears welled in his eyes.
"Nyla, we're finally husband and wife," he had whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "I swear I'll love and protect you for the rest of my life. You're everything to me."
Nyla had believed every word. She had thought they were soulmates. Forever.
But now...
She stared at her beaming smile in the photo. Before she could shed a tear, she heard the familiar sound of a car engine downstairs. Her heart stopped. The garage door rumbled open. Footsteps on the stairs.
"Honey, I'm back!" Clark's voice echoed from downstairs, cheerful and casual.
Panic seized Nyla's chest. She hurriedly shoved the marriage certificate back into the drawer. She wiped her eyes frantically and tried to appear normal. The bedroom door was still open. She couldn't let him see the suitcase.
Footsteps approached down the hallway. Clark pushed the door open, his face lighting up when he saw her. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her from behind.
His embrace had once been her safest haven. Now Nyla felt only nausea rising in her throat. She could smell an unfamiliar scent on his skin. Sweet vanilla shower gel. He had obviously showered somewhere else before coming home.
"Did you miss me?" Clark whispered softly in her ear. His voice carried a lazy satisfaction, like a cat who'd just finished a meal.
Nyla's muscles tensed. She resisted the urge to shove him away. Her body felt rigid as stone. "Where have you been?"
"I'm sorry, babe." Clark's lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly. "I was so busy at work yesterday that I fell asleep at the office. I completely missed our anniversary."
He pulled an exquisite jewelry box from his jacket pocket. "But look what I got you to make up for it."
He opened the box with a flourish. Inside lay an exquisite diamond necklace. The stones caught the bedroom light, throwing rainbow patterns on the walls.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Clark's eyes sparkled with pride. "Turn around so I can put it on you."
Nyla mechanically turned around. She felt like a puppet with cut strings. Clark's fingers traced her neck as he fastened the clasp. The cold metal pressed against her skin. The diamonds felt heavy. Suffocating.
"Perfect," Clark stepped back to admire his handiwork. His satisfaction was obvious. "Tomorrow night is Grandpa's birthday party. The entire Summer family will be there. With this necklace, you'll definitely be the most beautiful woman in the room."
"Do I need to go?" Nyla asked. Her voice sounded hollow even to her own ears. She just wanted to escape. To get away from everything connected to the Summer family.
"Of course you need to go. You're my wife." Clark looked at her with what seemed like genuine affection. He leaned in to kiss her, but Nyla quickly pushed him away.
"You should shower first," she said, turning her face away.
Clark nodded, seemingly unbothered. "Good idea. I've been working all day."
He grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. The shower turned on. Steam began seeping under the door.
Nyla's phone suddenly buzzed with a notification. She glanced at the screen. A Facebook message.
Her blood turned to ice.
On the screen was a photo. A woman wearing a necklace identical to the one around Nyla's neck. Hickeys and scratches covered the woman's pale skin. The photo was cropped to show only her slender neck and the curve of her breasts.
Below the image was a message that made Nyla's world crumble: [Does the necklace look good? I picked it out especially for you. I wore it when we made love last night. Clark said it looked beautiful on me.]
Chapter 3
Nyla felt a surge of nausea wash over her. She quickly removed the necklace from her neck. Without hesitation, she tossed it into the bedroom trash can. The diamonds clinked against the metal bin.
She rushed into the guest bathroom and turned on the shower. The scalding water burned her skin, but she didn't care.
She grabbed the shower gel and frantically scrubbed her neck and body. She needed to remove every trace of Clark. Every memory of his touch.
Her skin turned red from the harsh scrubbing, but she still felt dirty. The thought of that necklace clinging to another woman's neck made her sick.
She imagined it swaying as that woman moved beneath Clark. The mental image made her stomach lurch.
The bathroom door suddenly opened. Clark stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on Nyla through the glass shower door. His gaze traveled over her wet hair, down her shoulders, following the water droplets that traced her curves.
Clark's breathing became heavy. His eyes burned with lust. "Nyla, you're so beautiful," he said, his voice thick with desire.
Nyla heard his voice and immediately wrapped herself in a towel. She stepped out of the shower, but the thought that he might have looked at that other woman the same way made her nauseous.
"Don't come near me." Nyla took several steps back, but Clark was already approaching.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Clark reached out to touch her cheek, but Nyla quickly dodged his hand.
Clark didn't give up. Instead, he pulled her into his arms. His hands began wandering over her body, caressing her back through the towel. Then they moved lower.
"Nyla, I want you," he whispered in her ear. His breath was hot against her skin.
Nyla's body went rigid. She tried to pull away, but Clark was much stronger. His hand moved to her breast, his thumb brushing over the sensitive skin. His other hand slid down toward her inner thigh.
"Let's have a baby, okay?" Clark's voice was filled with longing. "We could have a beautiful child. A little girl with your eyes."
Nyla felt ice water flood her veins. She thought of the photo that woman had sent. The same hands that were touching her now had been all over another woman's body just hours ago.
Anger and disgust exploded inside her chest.
"Get away from me!" Nyla pushed Clark with all her strength. "Clark, I'm tired! I don't want to do this right now!"
Clark stumbled backward, startled by her sudden fury. He stared at Nyla's face, confusion clouding his features.
"Honey, I'm sorry." His voice immediately filled with guilt. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I just want you so badly. I love you so much."
He paused, searching her face. "If you don't want a child right now, we can wait."
Watching Clark's apologetic expression, Nyla felt a mixture of emotions churning in her stomach. This man had been gentle and caring toward her for three years. She couldn't reconcile this version of him with the man who had been with another woman last night.
But the facts were undeniable. Those photos. Those messages. The necklace in the trash can.
That night, Nyla lay awake staring at the ceiling. Clark's breathing was even beside her. The painful images replayed in her mind over and over. She didn't sleep until dawn.
The next morning, Nyla woke with dark circles under her eyes. Her reflection in the mirror looked hollow and tired.
"Honey, are you feeling okay?" Clark asked with concern. "You look exhausted. Maybe you should rest today."
Nyla shook her head. "I'm fine. We need to get ready for your grandfather's birthday party."
As they drove through the gates of the Summer family estate, a black Rolls-Royce suddenly roared past them. It stopped directly in front of the main entrance. The license plate read "DAMON-1."
Clark's hands tightened on the steering wheel. His face darkened instantly.
"Uncle Damon," he muttered under his breath.
Damon Summer was Clark's uncle, Richard's youngest son. Despite being only six years older than Clark, Damon had always intimidated his nephew.
He had refused to join the family business, starting his own company instead. That company was now worth five times more than Summer Group.
Damon was known for being brilliant, ruthless, and vindictive. Last year, he had overheard Clark making disparaging comments about him at a business dinner.
As punishment, Damon had refused a potential partnership that would have brought Summer Group hundreds of millions in revenue.
Clark parked behind the Rolls-Royce. As Nyla stepped out of the car, her high heel caught in the gravel driveway. She wobbled, about to fall backward.
Suddenly, a pair of strong hands caught her waist, steadying her against a solid chest.
Nyla looked up into a pair of deep, dark eyes. The man was tall and imposing, probably around twenty-nine.
His features were sharp and perfectly sculpted. High cheekbones, a straight nose, a strong jawline. He wore a tailored dark gray suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean build.
This was Damon Summer.
"Careful," Damon said. His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of genuine concern.
For a moment, Nyla found herself caught in his gaze.
Clark appeared beside them, his face flushed with jealousy. He roughly grabbed Nyla's hand and pulled her away from Damon.
"Thank you, Uncle," Clark said tersely. His voice was tight with barely controlled anger.
He dragged Nyla toward the manor entrance. After they'd walked a few steps, he leaned close to her ear.
"Nyla, you know I don't like you getting too close to other men," he whispered harshly. "Not even my uncle."
Nyla almost laughed at the irony. Here was Clark, who had been with another woman just last night, acting possessive about her talking to his uncle.
"So you'd rather have your wife fall flat on her face in front of the Summer family estate?" she replied coldly.
Clark immediately backed down. "Honey, that's not what I meant. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea."
Nyla ignored him and continued walking toward the entrance.
The Summer family manor was impressive, with its grand foyer and crystal chandeliers. But Nyla felt no joy at being here.
In the living room, Clark's grandmother Marie immediately called out with a beaming smile. "Nyla, Clark, you're here! Come sit down!"
Nyla took a deep breath and forced a polite smile. Whatever her feelings about Clark, she still respected his grandparents. Richard had always treated her kindly.
"Hello, Grandpa. Hello, Grandma," she greeted them warmly.
Marie's eyes lit up as she watched Clark and Nyla approach. She had been trying to convince Damon to settle down for years.
"Come, sit here next to me," Marie patted the sofa beside her.
As they settled in, Damon entered the living room. Marie's expression immediately shifted to disapproval.
"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. "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. His lips curved into a half-smile.
"Yes," he said quietly. "Really beautiful."
Chapter 4
Marie's headache intensified at Damon's nonchalant attitude.
She shook her head and turned her attention to Clark and Nyla. "You've been married for three years now. When are you planning on having kids? I'm looking forward to having great-grandchildren."
The moment this topic came up, the atmosphere in the living room suddenly became tense. Nyla's fingers gripped her teacup so tightly her knuckles turned white.
This was her most sensitive topic, the one that pierced her heart every time it was mentioned.
Clark's aunt Anne immediately seized the opportunity.
She leaned forward with a sneer. "Nyla, you and Clark have been married for three years. What will it look like if you don't have a child? What will others think of our Summer family?"
She paused, malice glinting in her eyes. "And if Clark hadn't insisted on marrying you, do you think you could have married into our Summer family with your background? Don't be so ungrateful. You don't want to have children for Clark, but there are plenty of women out there who would."
Anne spoke with mock concern, but her gaze was filled with contempt. She had always looked down on this niece-in-law.
Talking about children made Nyla's chest tighten with pain. Of course she wanted a child. She had given up her promising career in scientific research to be a good wife. But she couldn't conceive.
She had secretly visited doctors who said nothing was wrong with her body. Perhaps it was stress. But the Summer family often mocked her, calling her barren and useless.
Just as Nyla was drowning in humiliation, Clark suddenly took her hand. He smiled at his grandmother. "Grandma, we're trying! There's no rushing these things. We have to let nature take its course."
Then he turned to Anne, his voice stern. "Anne, watch your words. Nyla is my wife, and I won't tolerate anyone speaking to her like that."
Anne's face flushed red at being publicly rebuked. "I'm doing this for your own good. You've been married for so long without any progress..."
"That's enough," Clark interrupted sharply. "You don't need to worry about Nyla and me. And I want to make it clear that I'm honored to have Nyla as my wife. She didn't marry up."
Nyla felt a confusing mix of emotions as she listened to Clark's defense. The love they had shared over the years was genuine. Clark's protection of her had always felt real. He consistently stood between her and his family's criticism.
But at the same time, his betrayal was also real. Those photos, that necklace in the trash can, the woman's taunting messages. All of it reminded her that this man had deceived her completely.
Anne was clearly unwilling to let this go. She continued with false sweetness. "I'm just telling the truth. No pregnancy in three years? Maybe there's something wrong with her body. With all the medical advances these days, she should get checked out. There are treatments for these things."
"Anne!" Clark's voice turned dangerously cold. "I'm warning you for the last time. Whether or when we have children is between Nyla and me. It's not your business to interfere."
In the past, Nyla would have been grateful for Clark's protection. She would have seen it as proof of his love. But today, hearing these words felt hollow.
She knew that the moment Clark cheated, everything changed. No amount of public defense could erase what he had done in private.
Midway through the banquet, Clark's phone suddenly rang.
"Sorry, everyone," Clark said with an apologetic smile. "There's an emergency at work. I need to handle this right away."
He turned to Nyla, his expression softening. "Honey, can you have Grandma's driver take you home? I'll be back as soon as I can."
Marie waved dismissively. "Clark, go ahead. Don't worry about Nyla."
Clark kissed Nyla's forehead quickly. "I'll make this up to you, I promise."
As soon as Clark's car disappeared down the driveway, Marie's polite mask slipped completely. She looked at Nyla with open displeasure.
"Well, now that Clark's gone," Marie said coolly, "I suppose you'll be wanting to leave too."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"Nyla's not some delicate flower," Anne chimed in with renewed confidence. "She can find her own way home, can't she?"
Nyla felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She had been dismissed like a servant. Without Clark's protection, she meant nothing to these people.
"I think that's my cue to leave," Nyla said. She stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality."
The butler, following Marie's subtle nod, escorted Nyla only to the manor gate. He immediately turned back toward the house, leaving her standing alone on the roadside.
That's when the rain started.
Fat droplets fell from the dark sky, quickly soaking through Nyla's silk dress.
She pulled out her phone to call a taxi, but the app showed no available drivers in this remote area. The Summer estate was far from the city center.
The rain intensified rapidly. Within minutes, Nyla was completely drenched. Her carefully styled hair hung in wet strands around her face. Her dress clung uncomfortably to her skin.
Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, headlights cut through the darkness. A black Rolls-Royce slowed to a stop beside her.
The window rolled down, revealing Damon's sharp features.
Chapter 5
As Damon prepared to leave the manor, he glanced out the car window. Through the rain, he could see Nyla huddled against the stone wall near the gate.
Her dress was completely soaked, clinging to her body and outlining her curves. Her long hair hung in wet strands around her face, making her look fragile and abandoned.
Damon understood immediately what had happened. He knew Marie and Anne's personalities well. They would never be kind enough to arrange transportation for the niece-in-law they had always disliked.
He turned to his assistant Spencer, who was sitting in the passenger seat. "Get out and hold an umbrella for her."
Spencer immediately grabbed the black umbrella from the floor and stepped out into the rain. He walked quickly toward Nyla while Damon rolled down his window.
"Get in," Damon said to Nyla. His voice was characteristically cold and commanding. "I'll take you home."
Nyla looked up, startled to see it was Damon. She instinctively took a step back, shaking her head. "Uncle Damon, it's okay. The rain will stop soon. I can wait."
She remembered Clark's warnings about how dangerous Damon could be. Clark had specifically told her to keep her distance from his uncle. She didn't want to cause herself any more trouble, especially not tonight.
Damon's brow furrowed when he saw Nyla clearly trying to avoid him. His tone grew deeper and more commanding. "Get in the car. Don't make me repeat myself."
His natural dominance was overwhelming. The way he spoke made it nearly impossible to refuse. Nyla felt her resolve weakening under his intense gaze.
Before she could refuse again, Spencer appeared beside her with the umbrella. He gently took her damp clutch from her trembling hands.
"Ms. Nyla, please get in the car," Spencer said kindly. "This rain will continue for at least another hour. It's very windy out here, and you're not dressed warmly enough. You'll catch pneumonia."
Spencer's tone was gentle and concerned. Nyla glanced up at the dark storm clouds, then down at her completely soaked dress. Water was still dripping from her hair. She was starting to shiver uncontrollably.
Finally, biting her lip, she opened the car door and slid inside.
The interior of the Rolls-Royce was warm and luxurious. Soft leather seats and the faint scent of expensive cologne filled the space. Nyla immediately felt the temperature difference.
Damon glanced at her wet dress, which was now clinging even more tightly to her body. The fabric had become almost transparent. He could see the outline of her undergarments. His throat tightened involuntarily.
Without a word, he took off his dark gray suit jacket and tossed it to her.
"Thank you," Nyla murmured, quickly pulling the jacket around her shoulders. It was still warm from his body heat and smelled like his cologne. The scent was surprisingly comforting. "I'll have it cleaned and return it to you."
"Just throw it away," Damon replied coldly. His tone carried casual arrogance, as if the expensive jacket meant nothing to him.
The car pulled away from the manor and drove smoothly through the rainy night. Silence settled between them. Nyla huddled in the corner of the backseat, not daring to look at the powerful man beside her. She could feel an oppressive aura radiating from him. It made her unconsciously nervous.
She stole a glance at his profile. His jaw was sharp and perfectly defined. His dark hair was styled impeccably despite the rain. Everything about him screamed wealth and power. He was nothing like Clark, who was gentle and approachable. Damon seemed dangerous.
Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of Nyla's house. She quickly gathered herself and reached for the door handle.
"Thank you so much for the ride," she said hurriedly, leaving his jacket on the seat. "I really appreciate it."
Damon watched her disappear inside the house. The faint scent of jasmine perfume still lingered in the car where she had been sitting.
He found himself breathing it in deeply. His body reacted involuntarily to her proximity.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "She's your nephew's wife," he warned himself silently. "Control yourself."
As soon as Nyla entered her house, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Her body began to feel hot despite her wet clothes. Her head felt heavy and confused.
Before she could even change out of her soaked dress, everything went black. She collapsed in the living room.
When Nyla woke up, she found herself lying in a hospital bed. The room smelled strongly of disinfectant, but the bedside table was covered with familiar treats.
Strawberry shortcake, colorful macarons, handmade chocolates, and a large bouquet of pink roses.
"Ma'am, you're finally awake!" A nurse appeared beside her bed, looking relieved. "You've had a high fever for over twenty-four hours. Mr. Summer was so worried. He stayed by your bedside the entire time. He only left an hour ago because of an emergency call."
The nurse checked Nyla's temperature with a digital thermometer. "Do you want me to call him? He'll be so happy to know you're conscious."
Looking at the familiar arrangement of gifts, Nyla felt her heart soften despite everything. She had always been prone to illness and had a terrible fear of injections and medication.
Whenever she was sick, Clark would do exactly this. He would buy all her favorite treats and flowers, hoping to cheer her up and speed her recovery. It had become their tradition over the years.
These sweet memories made her chest ache with confusion. How could the man who cheated on her be the same person who spent the night worried beside her hospital bed?
"Where is he now?" Nyla asked, pushing herself up in bed. "I want to find him myself."
The nurse smiled. "He's somewhere in the hospital taking care of business."
She left her room and walked down the sterile hospital corridor.
As she rounded the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks.
There was Clark, coming out of the obstetrics and gynecology department. But he wasn't alone. A woman walked beside him, her hand resting protectively on her belly.
Chapter 6
Clark gently helped the young woman out of the obstetrics clinic. Both of them were smiling, their faces glowing with happiness.
Nyla immediately recognized her. This was the woman from the photos in those anonymous messages.
Just then, the woman spotted Nyla standing frozen in the hallway. Her eyes lit up with surprise and something that looked like malicious delight.
"Oh wow, isn't that Mrs. Summer?" she exclaimed loudly. "What a coincidence running into you at the hospital!"
At the sound of her voice, Clark looked up. His eyes met Nyla's across the corridor. His entire body went rigid. He quickly dropped his hand from the woman's arm, panic flooding his features.
"Nyla!" Clark hurried toward her, his voice high with nervousness. "Why are you here? You should be resting in your room!"
He reached her side, speaking rapidly. "I was just downstairs getting your medicine when I accidentally bumped into Jordyn here. She's my new secretary, and she's pregnant. I was worried she might fall, so I helped steady her."
His explanation tumbled out in a rush. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the air conditioning.
Nyla's gaze moved to the woman's slightly swollen belly. She felt her breathing become shallow and labored. But she forced herself to remain outwardly calm.
"Miss Jordyn," Nyla said slowly, "when did you get pregnant? Where's the father? Shouldn't he be here with you for such an important appointment?"
Jordyn caressed her belly with obvious pride. A sweet, satisfied smile spread across her face. "I just found out I'm two months along. The father couldn't be here because he's so busy with work, but he was absolutely thrilled when I told him."
She practically glowed as she spoke. "He said he wants to give me and the baby the best life possible. He's already bought me a beautiful apartment downtown and promised to make everything official after the baby arrives."
Every word felt like a knife twisting in Nyla's chest.
Jordyn continued, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Mrs. Summer, you're so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. But I think my boyfriend is just as amazing. He tells me I've become even more beautiful since getting pregnant. He can barely stand to leave my side."
She paused, tilting her head with feigned innocence. "Mrs. Summer, do you have time? I'm free today. Would you like to have dinner together? I could invite the baby's father to join us."
The challenge in her eyes was unmistakable.
Clark's expression darkened. He shot Jordyn a warning look. "My wife doesn't have time. Miss Jordyn, I'm sure your boyfriend is waiting for you. Don't keep him worried."
His voice carried clear dismissal and irritation.
Then he wrapped his arm around Nyla's shoulders, his touch gentle and concerned. "Honey, you're still recovering. You shouldn't be walking around the hospital. Let me take you back to your room."
He spoke in the same caring tone. "She's just a secretary. Don't worry about her."
Jordyn's face crumpled at the cold dismissal in Clark's voice. Her eyes filled with tears, making her look young and vulnerable. "You're right. I got too excited. I'm not worthy of having dinner with Mrs. Summer."
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, looking genuinely hurt. "I should go. My boyfriend will be wondering where I am."
With that, she turned and walked away, her shoulders shaking slightly.
Clark's expression flickered. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to follow her. But when he noticed Nyla watching him carefully, he stayed put.
He turned back to Nyla and patted her head affectionately. "Be good, okay? I have some urgent things to handle at the company. I'll have James drive you home. Get some rest, and I'll be back tonight to check on you."
His voice was warm and loving, the same tone he had used for three years of marriage.
As soon as Nyla returned to her hospital room, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Jordyn.
The first image was a pregnancy test showing two clear pink lines.
Then came a series of messages that made Nyla's hands shake:
[Nyla, I know you figured it out today. The baby is Clark's. Don't think he loves you as much as you believe. If he truly loves you, then what am I doing in his life?]
[Do you know how obsessed he is with me? Every year on your birthday and your anniversary, after he puts you to sleep, he comes to spend the night with me. He's so passionate with me, so wild. We go through boxes of condoms, and I can barely walk the next day.]
[We've made love in his car, his office, even in your bedroom when you were away. He's done things with me that I bet he's never done with you. Has he ever been truly passionate with you, Nyla? Or does he save all his fire for me?]
Reading these brutal messages, Nyla felt something break inside her chest. Her hands trembled as she set down the phone.
She took deep, measured breaths, trying to suppress the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
That evening, Clark returned with an elegant white box.
Inside was a strawberry mousse cake from the city's most expensive French pastry shop. It had once been Nyla's absolute favorite dessert.
"Baby, I brought your favorite cake," Clark said carefully, watching her face for a reaction. "The doctor said you're still weak and need to eat more sweets to build up your energy."
He opened the box with a flourish, revealing the delicate pink confection.
In the past, Nyla would have clapped her hands with delight at seeing this cake. She used to say it was almost too beautiful to eat. But now, looking at it made her stomach turn.
She picked up the small silver fork and took a mechanical bite. The overly sweet flavor sat in her mouth like paste. She couldn't swallow it.
Without a word, Nyla stood up and threw the entire cake box into the trash can. The beautiful dessert landed with a dull thud.
Clark stared at her in shock. "Nyla, what's wrong with you? "
Chapter 7
Nyla turned to face Clark, her eyes completely devoid of their usual warmth. "It doesn't taste the same anymore."
Her voice was eerily calm, but it sent a chill through Clark's entire body.
He rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms.
"Baby, maybe this bakery changed their recipe," he said. "I'll call them tomorrow and find out. No matter how much it costs, I'll make sure they get the taste exactly right again."
Nyla's body remained rigid in his embrace. "Things change, Clark. Once they change, you can't go back."
Her voice was still calm, but each word felt like an icicle piercing Clark's heart. He sensed she wasn't just talking about the cake anymore. She was talking about them.
Clark felt panic rising in his chest. That was when his phone rang.
The ringtone cut through the tension. Clark glanced at the caller ID and his face went pale.
Nyla caught the shift in his expression, and her disappointment deepened.
"I... I need to take this call," Clark stammered. "There's an emergency at work."
Nyla turned away from him completely. "Go ahead. Work is important."
Clark stood frozen for several seconds, torn between answering the phone and staying with his wife. Finally, he made his choice and headed for the door.
As he stepped into the hallway, Nyla could hear his voice through the thin walls: "Jordyn, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick? I'll be right there..."
His voice faded as he moved further away, leaving Nyla alone in their living room.
The silence felt suffocating. Nyla stared at the white walls, feeling like they were closing in on her.
Twenty minutes after Clark left, Nyla's phone buzzed with an incoming call. She didn't recognize the number, but she answered anyway.
"Mrs. Summer, I hope I'm not interrupting," came Jordyn's sweet voice. "I'm not feeling well, so I borrowed Clark from you tonight. He came without hesitation when I called. He said nothing was more important than making sure I was okay."
Nyla's grip tightened on the phone, but she said nothing.
Jordyn continued with obvious satisfaction. "You know what Clark told me today? He said I'm younger and prettier than you. He said I can give him something you never could - a child. He mentioned that you haven't been able to conceive in three years. He's worried there might be something wrong with your body."
"Oh, and that strawberry mousse cake you threw away today?" Jordyn's voice turned mocking. "Clark buys me that same cake all the time. He says sweet treats are perfect for sweet girls. Don't you think it tastes sweet, Mrs. Summer?"
The call ended with Jordyn's cruel laughter.
Nyla sat in the darkness, feeling something fundamental shift inside her. The pain was so intense it took her breath away. Then slowly, mercifully, numbness began to set in.
From that day forward, Nyla began quietly packing her belongings. She folded her clothes carefully and placed them in suitcases.
She packed her books, her makeup, her jewelry. Each item felt heavy with memories she no longer wanted to keep.
Clark became even busier during this time. He came home later and later, sometimes not at all. When he did return, he was distant and distracted.
Meanwhile, Jordyn's messages never stopped. Photos of her growing belly, pictures of expensive gifts, taunting words designed to twist the knife deeper.
Nyla's best friend Valarie came over to help with the divorce paperwork.
"Given that Clark committed adultery and got another woman pregnant, you could definitely ask for substantial compensation," Valarie said seriously. "Plus, you gave up your career for this marriage. That's worth a lot in court."
Valarie spread the legal documents across the coffee table. "You sacrificed your research position at the university. You could have been earning six figures by now."
But before proceeding with anything official, Nyla felt she should tell her father. She drove to the hospital where he was still recovering from his recent surgery.
Her father looked better than he had in weeks. His color was returning, and he was sitting up reading the newspaper.
"Dad," Nyla began carefully, "if... hypothetically... if I wanted to get divorced, what would you think?"
Her father set down his newspaper and studied his daughter's face intently. "Nyla, is something wrong between you and Clark?"
Nyla forced herself to maintain eye contact. "I'm just curious. If that day ever came..."
"Absolutely not!" Her father's voice rose sharply. "Nyla, do you understand what the Summer family has done for us? When my factory had that terrible accident, they provided the money that saved us from bankruptcy. They've been paying my medical bills for three years. Without them, we would have lost everything."
Her father's face was flushed with emotion. "Clark has been nothing but good to you. How could you even think such thoughts? Has someone been filling your head with ideas?"
Nyla realized she couldn't continue this conversation. Her father had no idea about Clark's betrayal. She couldn't bear to put her sick father through that kind of shock and disappointment.
She was about to change the subject when her father's phone chimed with a text message. He glanced at the screen and his face went completely white.
The message was from Jordyn. It contained a photo of her and Clark kissing passionately in what looked like a hotel room.
Below the image was a message that read: "Thought you should know - I'm pregnant with your son-in-law Clark's baby."
Chapter 8
Harrison suddenly developed a violent coughing fit. His body convulsed as he struggled to breathe.
His face turned an alarming shade of blue, and his hands clawed at his chest. The phone slipped from his trembling fingers and clattered to the floor.
Nyla saw the message on the fallen phone and immediately understood what had triggered his condition.
Rage flooded through her veins, but her father's health took priority over confronting Jordyn. She frantically pressed the call button for the nurses.
"Help! I need a doctor now!" she shouted into the hallway.
A team of medical staff rushed into the room. They immediately began checking her father's vital signs while Nyla stood helplessly in the corner, watching his condition deteriorate before her eyes.
The lead doctor emerged from the examination looking grave. He pulled off his mask and shook his head slowly.
"Mr. Jayston's condition has suddenly worsened," he said wearily. "His kidney failure has progressed rapidly. We need to transfer him to the ICU immediately for intensive monitoring and treatment."
Nyla felt her legs go weak. "How serious is this?"
"It's critical," the doctor replied bluntly. "But I'm afraid we have a problem. Our ICU is completely full. Every bed is occupied, and there's a waiting list. All the hospitals in the city are experiencing the same shortage of resources."
"Wait?" Nyla could barely comprehend what she was hearing. "Doctor, my father can't wait. Look at him!"
Her father was still struggling to breathe normally. His skin had a grayish pallor that terrified her.
"I understand your concern, Mrs. Summer, but we're doing everything we can," the doctor said helplessly. "All we can do right now is stabilize his condition with medication and hope a bed opens up soon."
Desperation clawed at Nyla's chest. She thought immediately of Clark. As the heir to Summer Group, he had connections throughout the medical community. He could pull strings and get her father the care he needed.
With shaking hands, she dialed Clark's number.
After several rings, someone picked up. But it wasn't Clark's voice that greeted her.
"Hello, who's calling?" came Jordyn's sickeningly sweet voice.
Nyla's blood turned to ice. "This is Nyla. I need to speak to Clark immediately. It's an emergency."
"Oh, Mrs. Summer!" Jordyn's voice was dripping with false concern. "Clark is in the shower right now. He's been taking such good care of me all day that he's completely exhausted. Poor thing needs to rest."
Nyla bit back her fury and forced herself to stay focused. "This is about my father. He's dying and needs an ICU bed. Please put Clark on the phone right now."
"Oh my, what terrible timing," Jordyn said with obvious fake sympathy. "I wasn't feeling well this afternoon either. Just some pregnancy nausea and dizziness, you know how it is. But Clark was so worried about me and the baby that he immediately called in the best medical team in the city. They're all on standby right now, just in case something happens to us."
Nyla's hands were shaking so violently she could barely hold the phone. Her father was dying, and her husband was playing house with his pregnant mistress.
"Can you please just-" Nyla began, but Jordyn cut her off.
"Oh, I hear the shower turning off. Clark will be so tired after everything we've been through today. I should probably let him rest. You understand, don't you?"
The line went dead.
Nyla stood in the hospital hallway, feeling like the world was collapsing around her.
She closed her eyes and tried to think of alternatives. Then suddenly, an image flashed through her mind - a figure handing her a coat in the rain. Damon's cold but decisive voice echoing in the car.
Without allowing herself to second-guess the decision, she dialed his number.
"Mr. Damon, this is Nyla," she said when he answered. "I'm sorry to bother you, but my father is critically ill. He needs an ICU bed urgently, but the hospital says they don't have any available. I know this is a lot to ask..."
"Send me the hospital address," Damon's voice cut through her rambling. It was sharp and authoritative. "I'll handle it. Ten minutes."
The line went dead, but his words carried more reassurance than Clark's empty promises ever had.
Exactly ten minutes later, the hospital director personally arrived at her father's ward.
Behind him came a full medical team, including specialists Nyla recognized from medical journals. They moved with efficient precision.
"Mr. Jayston will be transferred to our premium ICU immediately," the director told Nyla respectfully. "We're bringing in the city's leading kidney specialists for consultation. He'll receive the absolute best care available."
Within an hour, her father was settled in a private ICU room with round-the-clock monitoring.
That evening, after her father's condition had finally stabilized, Nyla returned to the house she had shared with Clark.
She sat in their living room, surrounded by three years of memories that now felt like lies.
She opened her phone and began forwarding every single message and photo Jordyn had sent her to Clark's email address.
The videos of Jordyn showing off expensive jewelry. Photos of their intimate moments in the apartment Clark had bought her.
Recordings of Jordyn rubbing her belly and cooing, "Daddy loves us so much. He's going to give us everything."
After sending all these, Nyla typed a final message: "Clark, these are from your girlfriend Jordyn. Since you two love each other so much, I'll step aside and let you be together."
Then she photographed the divorce papers Valarie had prepared and attached them to another email: "The divorce agreement is ready. Have your lawyer contact Valarie tomorrow to finalize everything."
After hitting send, Nyla stood up and began dismantling their life together.
She pulled their wedding photos off the walls and threw them directly into the trash. The jewelry Clark had given her, the clothes he had bought, the makeup he had surprised her with - everything went into garbage bags.
She called a moving company and worked through the night to clear out her belongings. By dawn, the house looked exactly as it had before she had moved in - empty and cold.
Nyla took one final look around the space that had once felt like home.
She dragged her suitcase to the door and walked out without looking back.
Chapter 9
Clark was reviewing an important acquisition contract when his assistant Marcus burst through the door.
"Mr. Clark, this is terrible!" Marcus gasped, struggling to catch his breath. "Something's happened to Mr. Harrison. His condition suddenly got worse, and he's been rushed to the hospital!"
Clark's expensive pen clattered to the mahogany desk. He shot to his feet so quickly that his leather chair rolled backward and hit the window.
"What are you talking about?" Clark's voice was sharp with panic. "Didn't I specifically tell you to arrange for the best caregivers? How could this happen?"
"I did arrange for the best caregivers, sir," Marcus stammered. "But the doctor said Mr. Harrison developed a severe lung infection. All our available doctors this afternoon were assigned to Miss Jordyn's medical team. The hospital said they didn't have enough ICU beds available."
"You incompetent idiots!" Clark roared, his face flushing red with rage. "Send every single doctor back to Harrison immediately! I don't care what it costs - you must save him! If anything happens to him, you're all fired!"
Clark's hands were shaking as he reached for his phone to call the hospital director personally. But before he could dial, Marcus's phone rang.
Marcus answered quickly, then looked up at Clark with confusion. "Sir, the hospital just called. Mr. Harrison has been transferred to the premium ICU and his condition is now stable. But it was... it was Mr. Damon who arranged everything."
Clark froze mid-dial. "Damon? How the hell did he know about Harrison?"
Just then, Clark's computer chimed with an incoming email. He saw Nyla's name in the sender field and felt his heart skip a beat.
When he opened the email, his blood turned to ice.
The message contained dozens of audio recordings, photos, and videos. All from Jordyn.
Clark's hands were trembling as he clicked on the first audio file. Jordyn's smug voice filled his office:
"Mrs. Summer, Clark is in the shower right now. He's been taking such good care of me all day that he's completely exhausted. Poor thing needs to rest."
Clark's face went completely pale.
He clicked on the next recording with growing horror:
"Oh my, what terrible timing. I wasn't feeling well this afternoon either. Just some pregnancy nausea and dizziness, you know how it is. But Clark was so worried about me and the baby that he immediately called in the best medical team in the city."
Clark felt bile rising in his throat. While Nyla's father was dying, Jordyn had been bragging about monopolizing medical resources for her fake symptoms.
The final recording made Clark's vision blur with rage:
"You know what Clark told me? He said I'm younger and prettier than you. He said I can give him something you never could - a child. He mentioned that you haven't been able to conceive in three years, and he's worried there's something wrong with your body. When we're together, he's so happy. He says being with me makes him feel like he's falling in love for the first time."
Clark's eyes were bloodshot with fury. Every vein in his forehead was visible as he processed what Jordyn had done.
He swept everything off his desk in one violent motion. Papers, his laptop, framed photos - everything crashed to the floor.
"Marcus!" he bellowed. "Bring Jordyn to me right now! This instant!"
Twenty minutes later, Jordyn was escorted into the office. She had no idea what had happened and assumed Clark had called her because he missed her.
A sweet smile spread across her face as she approached his desk.
"Clark, did you miss me and the baby?" she cooed, placing her hand on her belly. "We've been thinking about you all day. The baby was so active when I -"
The sound of Clark's palm connecting with her cheek echoed through the office.
Jordyn's head snapped to the side, and she stumbled backward, her hand flying to her now-swollen face.
"I specifically warned you never to let Nyla know about us!" Clark's voice was so cold and dangerous that it made the air in the room feel arctic. "You stupid, vindictive woman! How dare you torment her behind my back!"
Jordyn stared at him in complete shock, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Clark, why did you hit me? I was just-"
"Shut your mouth!" Clark cut her off with venom in his voice. "Pack your things immediately. I'm sending you overseas. From this moment on, I never want to see your face again."
The reality of her situation hit Jordyn like a freight train. All her dreams of becoming Mrs. Clark Summer evaporated instantly.
"Clark, you can't do this to me!" she pleaded desperately. "I'm pregnant with your child! You can't just throw me away!"
Clark's laugh was completely devoid of warmth. "A child? You think you're worthy of carrying my child?"
Jordyn fell to her knees and grabbed Clark's arm with both hands. "Please, I know I made a mistake. I was just so jealous of Nyla because I love you so much. I promise I'll never do anything like this again!"
Clark shook her off like she was something disgusting. "Go to the hospital and terminate the pregnancy. I don't need any woman except Nyla to bear my children."
Jordyn collapsed completely to the floor, sobbing hysterically. The sound grated on Clark's already frayed nerves. He lit a cigarette with shaking hands and took a long drag.
"If you refuse to handle this yourself," he said with deadly calm, "I have plenty of ways to ensure you lose that baby anyway."
Jordyn's sobs stopped abruptly. She looked up at him with pure terror in her eyes. "Clark, I thought you cared about me."
Clark felt nothing but disgust when he looked at her. This stupid woman's selfishness had destroyed his marriage and possibly lost him Nyla forever.
He pulled a platinum bank card from his wallet and threw it at her feet. "There's two million dollars on that card. Take the money, go to the hospital, and handle the situation. Or I'll have my security team drag you there. Your choice."
Jordyn picked up the card with trembling hands, tears streaming down her swollen face. "Clark, are you really this heartless?"
"Get out of my sight!" Clark turned his back on her completely. "You have three days to take care of this, and then I want you gone forever."
Jordyn covered her face and stumbled out of the office, her sobs echoing down the hallway.
Clark immediately called his head of security. "I want Jordyn monitored twenty-four hours a day. Make sure she goes to the hospital and terminates the pregnancy. If she refuses to cooperate, use whatever force is necessary."
After dealing with Jordyn, Clark tried to calm his racing heart. He had to fix things with Nyla. He had to make her understand that Jordyn meant nothing to him.
He quickly typed a message to his wife: "Baby, I'm not working late tonight. Let's have dinner together when I get home. We really need to talk about everything."
He hit send and waited for her response. But instead of Nyla's usual quick reply, all he got was a red exclamation point indicating the message couldn't be delivered.
Clark stared at the error message, feeling dread creep up his spine. He immediately dialed Patricia, their longtime housekeeper.
"Patricia, is Nyla home?"
Patricia's voice sounded nervous and uncomfortable. "Sir... about Madam..."
"What about her?" Clark's grip tightened on the phone.
"Madam moved out this morning, sir."
Chapter 10
Clark rushed to the hospital carrying a large bag of nutritional supplements and flowers. His face was etched with anxiety and guilt. He saw Nyla outside the ICU. She looked haggard. A wave of pain welled up in his heart.
"Nyla, are you okay? How's Dad?" Clark asked softly. He reached out to support her.
Nyla gave him a cold look. She stepped back, avoiding his touch. "He's out of danger."
