Married To My Husband's Uncle

CHAPTER 2

~Aubrey

The hospital's doors burst open, and in stormed the Winston clan—faces carved with rage, and eyes filled with immense disgust.

“You're awake." My mother-in-law, Georgina Winston spat, as if it were a crime. “Finally. Now we can get some damn answers!"

I frowned, and tried to speak, but my throat was raspy and weak.

“You killed her, didn’t you?” Richard Winston, Kenneth's cousin hissed, eyes boring into me like hot coals. “You were always jealous of Aubrey!”

"—And now that she’s gone, you’re finally at peace, aren’t you?” Janet Eldridge, Georgina's sister added, her tone pure venom.

I swallowed hard, bitterness clawing at my insides. I almost laughed, and if it wasn’t so twisted, it’d be comical.

Their crocodile tears, their outrage—it was all fake. They didn’t love nor care for Aubrey—my past self. They tolerated her, abused her, controlled her and used her.

Now that the allegations about Kenneth’s involvement had probably started to spread, they needed a new villain for their little story.

Enter her: Victoria Blackwood—the timid, overlooked wife of a cold husband, and the one behind the wheel the day everything transpired.

Oh,

What a perfect fit.

“I see." I murmured, forcing my voice to steady. “You’re just looking for someone to pin this on, but I’m not going to be your scapegoat.”

They all laughed.

“You’re the only one who could’ve done it." Richard sneered. “You're the only one who had the motive.”

Oh, for god's sake.

“I didn’t do anything, Richard." I said again, this time stronger, my eyes not leaving theirs.

“Oh, but you were driving that day, weren’t you?” Andrew Winston, my father-in-law, snapped. “You deserve to rot in prison for what you did!"

I sat up straighter this time. “How would I have pulled that off m—Aubrey's death if I was in the car too?"

Everyone's confidence wavered for a second—knowing my question made absolute sense. But of course, Georgina wasn’t one to back down easily.

“Don’t play smart with us, Victoria.” She spat. “You’ve always harboured resentment towards Aubrey. Her perfect life, her loving husband, Kenneth. It's always been a stark contrast to your miserable marriage with Alexander!"

I stared at her, my insides filled with repulsion.

Resentment?

Victoria never hated me, nor did I hate her. We weren’t close, but there was no bad blood between us either.

Just two women married to monsters.

Janet chimed in, naturally. “Even now, with everything pointing to you, you still have the nerve to deny it? You're so shameless.”

But before I could retort, a voice cuts through the madness.

“Mrs. Blackwood?”

The doctor, stepped in—early fifties, silver at the temples and brimmed spectacles perched on his nose. He looked around the room with a cool, clinical stare.

“I’m sorry to interrupt.” He said, adjusting his glasses. “But I could hear your voices from the next ward. This is a hospital, not a courtroom. Whatever your family situation may be, we do not condone such behavior here.”

Georgina turned, nostrils flaring, ready to rip him a new one—but Andrew Winston, her husband, reached out and gripped her wrist tightly.

“We apologize, doctor." He said smoothly, forcing a fake smile. “We were just leaving.”

Then, he gave me a look full of contempt—before turning to drag Georgina out the door. The rest followed, offering their own mix of scowls and snide glances.

Finally, silence.

When they all cleared, the doctor looked down at me with something close to sympathy.

"Is there anything you need, Mrs. Blackwood?"

I shook my head.

He nodded and began to turn away, but—

"..Wait."

He paused. "Yes?"

“Did.. Mr. Blackwood visit me?”

The answer was simple.

"No, Mrs. Blackwood. Your husband hasn't been here."

I nodded. "How long have I been here?"

The doctor adjusted his silver rimmed spectacles. "Seven weeks, ma'm."

Seven weeks? That was roughly two months.

I closed my eyes, feeling a pang of sadness. Of course he hadn’t. Poor Victoria was trapped in a loveless marriage with the ruthless man.

“You’ll be discharged in a week." The doctor added. “But you’ll need to stay under observation until then.”

I gave a numb nod, and let my head sink back into the pillows

Not like I had anywhere to go.

‡‡‡

A Week Later..

A new nurse returned with a clipboard and a warm smile. “You’re free to go, Mrs. Blackwood. Please take care of yourself.”

I was still processing things when she paused and turned back. “Ah—yes, someone’s also here to see you.”

Before I could ask who—

“Victoria!”

The door flew open and Marilyn Wright practically tackled me with a hug, tears streaking her face. “Oh God, I’m so glad you’re okay!”

I hugged her back tightly. My throat clenched. If only she knew.

She pulled away, but kept gripping my hand. “I was so scared. The things they were saying on the news.. I couldn’t believe it.”

I nodded, unsure what to say. I wondered how she'd react if I told her the truth. That I was Aubrey, her friend, not Victoria.

Would she be shocked? Disbelieving? Elated?

I pushed the thought asides. I couldn’t even wrap my own head around it.

“I don’t remember what happened that day.” I said instead, trying to act my part. “It’s all.. blank.”

Marilyn squeezed my hand tighter. “It’s okay Victoria. We’ll figure it out together. I know it's not your fault. I’m here for you.”

I smiled faintly. Victoria and Marilyn were not close, but she still showed up today. That was Marilyn—loyal, kind, even when the world turned its back to her.

As we hugged again, I could sense her thoughts whirling. I knew she was trying to be strong for me—Victoria. But I knew she was also devastated.

To her, she just lost her best friend, and now she was trying to support someone else instead, through this nightmare.

Finally, we pulled apart and headed out the hospital. But we didn’t even make it to the car before it all spiraled.

Reporters swarmed us like vultures.

“Mrs. Blackwood, did you murder Aubrey Winston?”

“Was the crash planned?”

"Did you and Mrs. Winston have a falling out before the accident?”

Marilyn tried to shield me, gripping my hand tightly as we fought our way through the sea of reporters. Cameras flashed like lightening and voices barked at us like bullets.

"Answer us Mrs. Blackwood, was it premeditated?"

"Do you have anything to say about the allegations?"

I kept my head down, my fingers curling into Marilyn's, willing this to end.

Finally, we were able to push past the crowd, forward to her car, but then—

Someone tugged at my collar, jerking me back involuntarily. My breath hitched as I stumbled, pulled away from Marilyn's grasp.

"What—"

Click.

I felt something cold on my wrists.

I looked down to see metal cuffs clasped around my hands.

What the—

Stunned, I looked up to be met with the grim face of an officer.

"What are yo—"

“Victoria Blackwood.” He spoke, locking the cuffs in place. “You are under arrest for the murder of Mrs. Aubrey Winston. Anything you say or do henceforth can and will be used against you in a court of law.”

~~