Claimed By My Ex’s Uncle After Divorce

Chapter 6: The Sweetest Poison

Elowen's POV

The sight hit me with the force of a physical blow. The last remaining fragments of my seven-year marriage shattered into dust right there in the sterile hospital corridor.

I didn't hide. I didn't turn back to my room to cry. I gripped the cold metal of my IV pole, straightened my hospital gown, and walked directly toward them, my slippers clicking softly against the linoleum floor.

"Julian."

Julian went rigid. When he turned and saw me standing there, his face instantly drained of color, a look of sheer panic crossing his handsome features. He immediately dropped his hands from the woman's waist, stepping a full foot away from her.

"Elowen!" he stammered, his voice hushed and frantic. "What... what are you doing out of bed? You should be resting!"

The dark-haired woman didn't panic. She didn't look guilty. Instead, she turned around slowly, her movements fluid and graceful. She was wearing an elegant, loose-fitting designer knit dress that subtly highlighted the slight roundness of her stomach.

Her face was the picture of serene, sweet innocence. She looked at me, her eyes wide and soft, carrying a gentle, almost pitying warmth. But beneath that gentle gaze, deep in her eyes, was a cold, mocking triumph.

"Hello, Elowen," she said, her voice a soft, melodious purr. She extended a manicured hand toward me, her diamond bracelet catching the harsh hospital light. "I’m Sophia, Julian’s executive assistant. Julian has told me so much about you. I’ve always wanted to meet you."

I didn't look at her hand. I kept my eyes locked entirely on my husband, watching him squirm.

"El, sweetheart, listen to me," Julian rushed to explain, his voice trembling as he stepped between us. "This isn't what it looks like. Sophia... her husband had an emergency and couldn't make it to her prenatal checkup. She was feeling dizzy at the office, and since I was already downstairs at the bakery buying your favorite cake, I... I ran into her and offered to walk her up to the clinic. It was just a courtesy. I swear."

He lied so beautifully, presenting the boxed cake in his hand like a shield.

Sophia didn't dispute his lie. Instead, she let out a soft, delicate sigh. She took half a step closer to Julian, her hand gently brushing against his arm in a gesture that looked entirely innocent, yet spoke volumes of possession.

"Yes, Elowen, please don't misunderstand Julian," Sophia murmured, her voice dripping with sweet concern. "He was actually quite reluctant to help me because he was so anxious to get back to your room. I had to practically beg him. He is just... such a protective man when it comes to family."

She smiled, a tiny, slow nod of her head confirming the unspoken truth: He was with me. He chose me.

Before Julian could breathe a sigh of relief, Sophia’s face suddenly paled. She didn't scream or flail. Instead, she gave a soft, quiet gasp, her hand pressing gently against her lower abdomen. She winced, her lower lip trembling slightly as she leaned her shoulder weight into Julian's chest.

"Julian..." she whispered, her voice fragile and breathless. "It’s that sharp tension again. The doctor said I shouldn't stand for too long..."

Julian’s eyes widened with instant, primal panic. Without a second thought, his arms flew out to catch her, wrapping around her waist to support her. The sheer reflex of his protection—the raw worry in his eyes as he looked down at her—was something he had never shown me during my grueling fertility treatments.

"I've got you," Julian murmured, completely ignoring my presence for a split second as he adjusted her weight against him.

I stood there, watching the quiet, masterfully played performance. My heart didn't break; it turned to absolute stone.

"If your body is as fragile as your conscience, Sophia," I said, my voice entirely devoid of emotion, cool and steady as a surgeon's blade, "I suggest you take a seat in the emergency room downstairs. Do try to keep yourself together. It would be a tragedy if all this careful planning went to waste."

Sophia’s eyes flashed with a brief, icy spark of anger at my words, but she quickly masked it, burying her face into Julian's shoulder with a soft, delicate whimper.

"El, please, she’s actually in pain!" Julian snapped, his defensive protective instinct finally overriding his guilt. "I have to take her to the doctor. I’ll come back to your room in a minute!"

I didn't answer. I turned on my heel and walked back to my room, locking the door behind me.

Ten minutes later, the door unlocked. Julian rushed in, setting the bakery box on my bedside table. He reached out to grab my hand, his face filled with manufactured anguish. "El, I’m so sorry. I had to make sure she was settled. But I’m here now. I bought the cake you love—"

Before he could finish, his phone rang loudly. He glanced at the screen, his expression tightening. "I... I have to take this. It's the board of directors. I’ll be right back, okay? Eat some cake. I love you."

He rushed out, leaving the room silent.

A moment later, my phone chimed. It was an unknown number, but the calculated poison was unmistakable.

Is the cake sweet, Elowen? I helped him pick it out after we finished our afternoon meeting in his office. Enjoy it alone, because Julian is coming back down to my room now. He belongs to me.

I stood up, walked over to the bedside table, picked up the expensive bakery box, and threw it directly into the stainless-steel trash can, watching the delicate frosting smash against the metal.

I pulled up my contacts and dialed Jade.

"Are the papers ready, Jade?" I asked, staring out the hospital window.

"They’re ready, El. Every single page."

"Good," I said, my voice cold and resolute. "Because the second I get discharged, I’m signing them."