MARRIED MY EX's UNCLE

HAILEY'S POV "Uncle Don Lorenzo, meet my fiancée, Hailey." Tom's voice seemed distant as the man before me extended his hand. Don Lorenzo de Santis stood tall in an immaculate charcoal suit, carrying a commanding presence . But it was his eyes that held me captive. "Congratulations," he said, his voice a deep tenor that seemed to resonate in my chest. When our hands met, a jolt of electrifying sensation ran down my spine. He held my hands for a second too long. My skin tingled where his fingers touched mine, and heat crept up my neck. What was that? His eyes never left mine, studying me with an intensity that made me feel exposed. Like he could see past my outfit. "Thank you," I managed, my voice barely steady. Tom put his arm around my waist, and only then did Don release my hand. But his gaze remained fixed on me, making my heart race in a way I didn't understand. As Tom led me away to greet other guests, I felt Lorenzo's eyes on me. Following my every movement across the room. I tried to focus on the conversations with other guests at my engagement party but I couldn't shake the awareness of being watched. Several times I glanced back, and each time I found him staring. He didn't look away. Didn't pretend he wasn't watching. He just stood there, his dark eyes tracking me through the crowd, completely unbothered by who might notice. My skin burned under his gaze. "Congratulations, sister." Camila appeared beside me, her smile very mischievous. She wore a red dress that hugged her curves, and her eyes glittered with something I couldn't quite place. "Thank you," I said, forcing a smile. She leaned in closer. "You look beautiful. Tom's a lucky man." She gave another smile. But the Camila I know wasn't happy for me. I excused myself and went to get a drink. I needed something to calm my nerves. I looked around for Tom but couldn't find him anywhere in the crowd. Then my eyes found Don Lorenzo again. He stood near the entrance, speaking quietly with one of his security guards. His expression was serious, The guard nodded and left quickly. Something was wrong. Lorenzo's jaw tightened, and for a moment he looked genuinely upset. Then, as if sensing my stare, his eyes lifted and found mine across the room. Everything else faded away. He held my gaze, and I couldn't look away. Then he turned and walked out of the room. Only then could I breathe again. I bit my lower lips. *** The next morning arrived bright and beautiful. I woke with butterflies in my stomach, unable to contain my excitement. This was the day I'd been dreaming about my whole life. I arrived at City Hall an hour early, wearing light makeup and a simple white dress. I caught my reflection in the glass doors—I looked radiant, like a happy bride. "Good morning," I greeted the registrar. "Ms. Hailey and Tom Scott?" The registrar looked up the name on her computer. "I'm sorry, but your wedding isn't registered." The words didn't make sense. "There must be a mistake. My fiancé registered three weeks ago." She turned the computer toward me. The 12 PM slot had someone else's names. Not ours. My hands shook as I scrolled through the screen, searching desperately for our names. They weren't there. "He told me it was all arranged," I whispered. The registrar's pitying expression made my stomach drop. "Give me a second." I dialed Tom's number with trembling fingers. He answered on the second ring. "Hailey." "What happened? I'm at the registry. They're saying we were never registered." Soft music played in the background, the type they played at weddings. My heart stuttered. "Was the venue changed? Text me the location. We're running late." "I have something to tell you." "What's going on, Tom?" There was a long silence. Except for my pounding fragile heart. "I'm getting married today." "Yes, we're getting married. But our names aren't on the list. Where are you?" When he spoke again, his voice was flat. "I didn't register the wedding because I'm getting married to Camila today." The room tilted. I grabbed the desk's edge to keep from falling. Camila. My stepsister. "No. Tom, we've been together for three years. I'm supposed to be your bride." I blinked back tears hoping he'd tell me it was all a joke. All those three years we'd spent together, planning for this day. I'd stood by his side for three years. "I'm sorry, Hailey, but I love Camila more." I pressed my hand against my heart. "Why? Was it because of last night? I'm sorry." "This has nothing to do with last night. Camila is the woman I love. She's the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with." This couldn't be happening. "Where are you? We can fix this. Please, Tom. I love you." "Babe, who's that on the phone?" That was Camila's voice. Tom was really marrying my stepsister. He was flushing our three years down the toilet like it meant nothing. "I have to go. The ceremony starts in twenty minutes. Find some other man." The line went dead. The bouquet of white roses I'd been holding slipped from my fingers and shattered against the marble floor. This morning I thought my life was finally perfect. But Camila always had a way of slipping into my life and destroying everything. "Miss?" The registrar touched my arm. "Do you need to sit down?" I looked up at her through blurred vision. She offered me water and I took it gratefully. "Ms. Hailey," she said softly. "If you don't mind... there's an opening for a bride." I stared at her. "What's he like?" The words escaped before I could stop them. "The gentleman is in Room B. He was stood up by his bride. Mr. Don De Santis" De Santis. The name struck something in my memory, but my mind was too foggy to place it. "Thank you." I followed her directions down the corridor. Room B looked like a VIP area. The door stood slightly open. Through the gap, I saw a tall man in a dark suit standing by the window, his hands tucked in his pockets. As I pushed the door open. He turned immediately, and the world stopped. Handsome was too weak a word. Though he was in his late forties, the man was mesmerizing. His sharp features, his commanding presence, I had no words except, Tom's uncle. How is this possible? What was he doing here? I had a lot of questions to ask. "Hailey." His voice was laced with that deep tenor I remembered. "What are you doing here?" He looked behind me, clearly expecting Tom. "I heard you need a bride." His eyes searched my face. "What about Tom? You were supposed to be married today." The words were heavy, but I forced them out. "He's marrying my stepsister." Something flickered across his face. I can swear I saw a slight smile curved his lips. "Can we get married, Mr. Don?" He crossed the space between us and took my hands gently. Then he brought them to his lips and kissed my knuckles, just like he had at the engagement party when we'd first met. The same electric sensation shot through me. "Yes." I thought my heart was broken but suddenly it raced in my chest. What was wrong with me? As I looked into Don Lorenzo's steady eyes, I felt something shift inside me.