Chapter 2: Dangerous Man
1296 Words
"Uncle..."
I stammered, unsure if I was addressing him correctly. After all, Alex and I weren’t married yet, and besides, this man had never paid any attention to me.
Yes, this man was none other than Michael Porter—Alex’s adoptive uncle.
Should I curse fate for this? I had just escaped from my cruel fiancé, only to fall into the hands of his uncle. Was this some kind of twisted joke?
As I stood there, filled with unease, the usually cold and indifferent man suddenly smiled strangely gently and said, "Don't call me uncle." Then, narrowing his eyes dangerously, he added, "We are not related in that way."
I trembled. The truth was obvious—none of them had ever seen me as family.
Was this where my life would end?
At that thought, my vision blurred with tears.
"What are you thinking?"
A deep voice murmured beside my ear, making me jump.
I hadn't even noticed when he had gotten so close. A subtle, masculine fragrance lingered in the air, making my cheeks burn with embarrassment.
This was the closest I had ever been to a man!
But I knew I couldn't let myself be swayed by his charm. If I got distracted now, I was sure I wouldn’t survive!
The once-tense atmosphere had now shifted into something… strange.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A sharp knock on the door behind us broke the moment. Before I could react, Michael slightly opened the door.
"Uncle Michael?"
Alex’s voice sent a chill down my spine. My body instinctively wanted to dart past Michael and flee.
I didn’t want my life to end like this!
"What do you want?"
Michael responded coolly, his firm hand pressing against my body, keeping me in place.
For a moment, I thought he was going to hand me over to Alex, but instead—
Michael pulled me into his embrace.
The sudden warmth of his body overwhelmed me, making my head spin.
He lowered his head and whispered softly against my ear, "Be good, my dear."
The playful lilt in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.
Alex seemed to sense something, his sharp gaze locking onto me. Even though there was only a slight gap between us, I felt utterly exposed.
"Uncle… who is this?"
My hands clenched tightly into Michael’s shirt.
Without realizing it, I pressed myself closer to him, seeking refuge behind his broad frame.
Michael turned his gaze to Alex, his eyes cold and predatory—like a beast ready to strike anyone who dared threaten his prey.
Even though his hostility wasn’t directed at me, I could barely breathe under the intensity of it.
And yet, when he looked down at me, that same gaze unexpectedly softened.
Michael’s POV
The fragile figure nestled in my arms.
A faint, delicate scent lingered around her, her golden strands brushing against me like the softest feather, teasing a heart I had long thought rusted and lifeless.
A quiet warmth began to flicker inside me.
I narrowed my eyes, savoring this fleeting sense of satisfaction.
How wonderful.
I’ve finally found you.
Lena’s POV
"She’s mine."
Michael’s indifferent statement sent a shock through me.
I wanted to look up and see his expression, but confusion clouded my mind.
Why… was Michael protecting me?
From the outside, Alex hadn’t realized that the person inside was me.
He probably thought I was just another one of Michael’s lovers—just like the women he always sneered at in my presence.
Alex let out a forced laugh.
"My apologies, Uncle. I didn’t mean to intrude."
I stole a glance behind me and saw Alex stepping back, reaching to close the door.
As the door clicked shut, I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
I had survived.
Chapter 2 (Continued)
Yet, Michael didn’t seem to want to let me relax.
The man pulled my head against his chest, pressing my entire body against him. His strength was overwhelming, leaving no room for resistance.
Slowly, he spoke, "I don’t like being disturbed, Alex. Remember that."
"…Y-Yes! I understand! I'll leave now!"
I heard Alex’s hesitant yet hurried voice, sounding like an obedient child of the family.
It was almost as if he had never planned to use me for marriage and discard me afterward. Or perhaps… his cunning scheme had been carefully kept from Michael.
Click!
The sound of the door closing confirmed that I had truly escaped from my deceitful fiancé.
But now, I faced a new problem.
I lowered my gaze, but even without looking, I could feel Michael’s burning stare on me.
He had helped me.
Even if he wasn’t part of Alex’s plan, who could guarantee that he wouldn’t harm me himself?
Suddenly, his finger lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.
His face—handsome yet strangely unreadable—was studying me closely.
Sensing my anxiety, Michael finally spoke, "What is it that you want?"
I shrank into myself and murmured softly, "Please… don’t hand me over to Alex."
Michael suddenly chuckled.
He tapped my chin lightly with the same finger he had used to lift it, his voice playful, like a master teasing a timid little kitten.
"I was the one who showed you the truth."
Before I could react, Michael pulled out my phone.
Holding it up to eye level, he tilted the screen toward me, displaying the very message that had led me here.
"What makes you think I would harm you?"
I widened my eyes in shock.
I glanced between the message on my screen and Michael’s handsome face.
So… the person who sent the message… was Michael?
He… wanted me to know about Alex’s plan?
But… why?
Weren’t they family?
Michael’s POV
The little kitten before me was startled by her newfound discovery.
Her wide, innocent eyes were so easy to read.
Every thought, every emotion, was written all over her face.
Why did I do it?
Simple.
Because she was the victim.
As for Alex’s family?
A bitter memory of betrayal surfaced, stirring the demon inside me, clawing to be set free—to destroy.
But…
I looked at the delicate figure in front of me, and the storm inside me slowly settled.
I had to control myself.
I couldn’t let her slip away from me—not again.
Lena’s POV
I didn’t get the answer I wanted.
But I also didn’t have the courage to ask further.
Something deep inside me told me that if I kept digging for Michael’s true reasons, I would regret it.
I watched as the elegant yet dangerous man turned away, walking toward another corner of the room.
If I wanted to run, now would be the perfect time… right?
But…
I hesitated, staring in the direction he had disappeared.
Michael would find me—if he wanted to.
That man wielded immense power.
Even Alex—my arrogant, self-absorbed fiancé—didn’t dare to go against Michael.
I bit my lip.
I was too weak. I had nothing left to lose.
So why…?
Why was Michael helping me?
Was he after my life too?
I scoffed bitterly at myself.
Aside from my life, I had nothing left to offer.
As I drowned in my thoughts, Michael returned.
This time, he was holding a glass of warm milk.
He smiled as he handed it to me. "Drink this first."
I took the glass from him, the warmth of the milk spreading through my hands.
Raising my head to meet his gaze, I made my decision.
"Can you help me?"
Michael paused for a brief moment.
Then, he smiled.
A stunning, angelic smile.
"Do you think…"
But in an instant, that radiant expression twisted into something terrifying.
A cruel, menacing smirk.
"…you have the right to ask?"
- Writer
