Claimed by My Husband’s Ruthless Uncles

Chapter 7: The announcement

Josie's POV

The penthouse felt too quiet after the whole contract decision I made, feeling it was wrong cause after all it's my Ex's Uncle.

Morning light flashing through the massive windows.

Alexander had already sent out the engagement announcement at dawn, a short press release from Hart family channels and social media posts that hit like a massive shock.

By breakfast my phone was buzzing nonstop with notifications.

Hart family group chat exploding cousins aunts uncles all typing in caps "THIS IS A DISGRACE" "SHE'S STILL IN MOURNING" "HOW COULD YOU" press picked it up fast "Hart Widow Marries Uncle Billionaire in Power Grab" headlines screamed and speculation ran wild online "revenge marriage" "inheritance play" "scandal of the year."

I scrolled through it all feeling nothing but cold satisfaction. They can talk they don't know what Julian had done.

Lily was in the living room playing with her new stuffed bear the one Alexander left on her bed last night, she looked up at me with those big innocent eyes and asked "Mommy is Alexander my new daddy now?

My chest grew heavy because she said it so simply like it was just another day, before I could answe.

Alexander walked in from his study kneeling down to her level with a gentle smile that caught me off guard.

I have seen him ruthless, cold and commanding but this was different soft almost human.

He took her small hand and said quiet "Not yet Lily but I'll be here every day to take care of you and your mommy like a family, she giggled and threw her arms around his neck hugging tightly.

He held her steady patting her back like he'd done it a thousand times.

I stood there frozen watching this man who terrified boardrooms read her a bedtime story last night when she woke up scared in the new room and now this.

He pulled a little star pendant necklace from his pocket "For my favorite girl" he said, slipping it over her head Lily beamed touching the star, "Thank you Uncle Alexander."

The announcement kept rolling, family members called demanding meetings, board members texted raining threats but Alexander handled it all with a short reply "See you at the wedding."

He laughed it off when one cousin accused him of "stealing Julian's wife" I ignored most of it focusing on Lily as she ran around excited about her new room and necklace, but the peace was short.

Lily was napping safe and happy in her suite,

I decided to step out for some fresh air on the private terrace the city air was thick but it felt better than being cooped inside. That's when I saw it....

The shadow, I don't know if it's same one from last night. Stepping towards the shadow direction I saw him. The fool who made my life a living hell!!!! Julian bruises on his face purple and swollen the acid also showed it's effect, his face was a mess.

I was sure Alexander's men really dealt with him to, he looked pathetic desperate nothing like the arrogant man who'd faked his death

"What the hell are you doing here!?" I asked voice low and loud.

"What do you expect?" he snarled. You want to marry that man after taking everything from me, nothing to live off. Are you that heartless?

You are in no position to call me names! You monster! After what you did to me.

I love the way you realize there is nothing for you, nothing for a wicked man! I would like to know how long your mistress Sarah would last with you, it would be really fun to watch, and then I remembered.

I thought you were dead, sooo meaning you don't need money then a dead man is supposed to be 6 feet below the soil. Now if you would excuse me I have a wedding to prepare for, I don't need you and your new family even your son spoiling my day."

Next he pulled me into his arms grabbing my waist tight I was too weak to pull away in that moment. All of that was a mistake, he said. I didn't mean it. Don't play pity card with me! I yelled. Get your filthy hand off me.

A hand pulled me back immediately, catching the side view which was amazingly stunning, it was Alexander.

"My wife said get your hands off her, she should not repeat herself. He was burning vividly in rage as he dragged me behind him. Julian sank in fear as he called "Security!!! No need, Julian yelled. I would leave on my own, then he found his way out scrambling away like the coward he is.

Turning to me "are you all right" Alexander asked, yes I am. Why did you give him a chance to hold you like that? His eyes piercing through me, his face evidently furious as he dragged me to him, I tried to pull away, it's fine" he cut in... There is a ceremony at the house today let's not ruin it, he said as he walked in first.

Then I received a text on my phone pinged with an anonymous email, no subject just a single line that made my blood run cold.

"You didn't die the way you were supposed to"

I stared at the screen hands shaking as I deleted it fast before Alexander could see.

Who sent this? Julian? Sarah? Someone else? I hid it deep not ready to share yet wandering if I could trust this new life or if the shadows were already closing in.