How I Became His Unforgettable Ex

Chapter 3 My Husband's Uncle (Luzie's Perspective)

"Why the hell would they sign this piece-of-crap agreement? Why? Why? Why?!"

The force of my voice made my jewelry jangle against my skin.

I was shaking Allyn's housekeeper, Martha Jones, a stone-faced old woman who had gone pale, finally managing to break free and shriek as she bolted. "I don't know, Mrs. Hall! You should ask Mr. Hall or your father..."

I fell silent.

Allyn—no need to ask why he'd signed.

Aulton—my late father—I could guess why he'd signed, too.

My old man had spent half his life clawing through coal mines with his crew, even missing my mom's death because he'd been trapped underground. He'd tasted every bitter struggle life could offer, until one day he struck it rich with a mountain of rare metal, worth 20,000 dollars an ounce.

No class, no taste, no wife, no friends... Apart from endless generations' worth of money and a daughter just as unpolished as him, he had nothing.

He'd probably been terrified I wouldn't know how to manage that fortune. Afraid I'd end up as lonely as he was. Afraid Allyn would one day abandon me. So he'd staked everything on this ridiculous agreement, all to get me a permanent spot in the Hall family.

'Damn you, old man,' I thought, brushing a hand across my eyes.

'Did it never occur to you that one day I might want to leave Allyn?'

Shit!

Frustrated, I stormed down to the garage, grabbed the nearest gold sports car, and floored it out of there.

I needed to blow off steam. I wanted revenge. I wanted Allyn to know exactly what it felt like to be cheated on.

Two vodkas later, my plan for sweet revenge was already fizzling.

The bar was packed with all kinds of guys, and plenty of them approached me, but none of them seemed right.

Because none of them were Allyn.

What was Allyn doing right now, anyway?

Having dinner with that little gold digger Karoline? Did they plan to "dine" all the way into bed?

'Go ahead, take her to bed, and one day, I'll poison her myself,' I thought bitterly, knocking back another shot of vodka.

Just as I was about to pour myself another, a clean, well-manicured hand took my glass away. "Enough. Drinking won't fix your problems."

I looked up, already irritated, and almost choked on my own breath.

Shit, he was gorgeous.

Black tousled hair fell across his forehead, and his warm eyes made me want to drown in them. His nose was chiseled, his lips sculpted like a statue.

And his body—his broad shoulders and narrow waist were perfectly outlined by his black shirt, the collar just open enough to show a hint of chest muscle in the dim light. He casually toyed with my glass, those long, lean fingers oozing charm.

Just as hot as Allyn, if not hotter.

'You're the one.'

"If alcohol can't solve my problems, maybe you can?" I batted my eyelashes at him so hard I thought they might cramp.

He blinked. "Uh, if it's a legal problem, sure, I can help—I'm a lawyer..."

A lawyer?

Images of the Hall family's legal team flashed through my mind—a parade of pale, stiff suits who looked like they'd been dragged into the sunlight against their will.

That was what a lawyer should look like. This guy was way too young, way too handsome. He didn't look like a lawyer at all.

So who was he, then...

I was still mulling it over when a rich baritone voice interrupted nearby, "Excuse me, ma'am, I'm a cop. You're under arrest."

I glanced over and saw a woman eagerly offering her hands to a man playing "cop," letting him pull her into his arms as they left, kissing as they went.

I got it—this "lawyer" was a cosplay-loving boy toy.

Well, I wasn't about to hold back. I had plenty of cash to spend!

I hooked a finger around his collar, staring right into his eyes. "Mr. Lawyer, what's your name?"

"Franklin."

"Oh, Franklin," I said, grinning at him with a deliberately seductive look. "I've got so many problems for you to help me with."

Franklin's eyes widened, and then he smirked. "Glad to be of service."

'Now we're talking. Not like that ice block Allyn, who can't be lured in even if I throw myself at him.'

The bartender, used to seeing all sorts of couples pair off here, led us to a private room with a polite smile and even shut the door behind us.

Under the bright lights, Franklin's light brown eyes sparkled with amusement. "You're sure you want to keep going, Luzie?"

"Absolutely." Without a second thought, I leaned in and kissed him.

'Let me drown in those warm eyes, and while I'm at it, maybe I can drown the memory of Allyn, too.'

On our wedding day, I'd kissed Allyn like this in front of everyone, all eyes on us.

He'd let me kiss him but didn't return it at all—just like he'd never given me anything in return.

But here, this man named Franklin was kissing me back, gentle but full of heat.

Suddenly, I felt tears slipping down my cheeks.

"What's wrong?" Franklin stopped, brushing my tears away with a gentle hand, though the more he wiped, the more they came.

I was outraged. 'How is it that both these men are my investment, but the difference is so huge?'

Oh... I hadn't even paid this one yet. I pulled a wad of bills from my purse, shoved it into his hand, and then grabbed his sleeve to wipe my tears. "I'm fine. I just..."

'What's that...' The cufflink on his sleeve—it looked familiar.

It looked just like the custom cufflinks used by the Hall family. Allyn had one on every single shirt.

A terrible feeling crept over me.

"Uh, Franklin... what's your full name?" I heard my own voice stammer.

Those light brown eyes held a glint of mischief as his perfect lips curved into a smirk. "Franklin Hall."

"F..."

My mouth fell open, but I couldn't make a sound.

"Franklin Hall," he repeated, adding with a hint of satisfaction, "Allyn Hall's uncle."

"F... f**k!"

I had nearly cheated with my husband's own uncle!

I screamed, shoving open the door and bolting out of the bar.