Wedding Night Betrayal: I Marry My Ex's Uncle

Liz Gray, driven by love, abandoned her studies and joined Sid Hill's company to manage it, supporting his entrepreneurial endeavors. She had believed her patience would be rewarded, but on her wedding night, she caught him locked in a passionate kiss with his first love, only to realize she had merely been a stand-in all along. Devastated and numb with heartbreak, Liz signed the divorce papers and booked a one-way ticket out of the country. After her departure, Sid's company crumbled, and he chased her across continents, pleading for reconciliation day after day. Meanwhile, Lex Hill, the renowned heir of Kingsford's high society, pulled her close with an unyielding possessiveness, staking his claim. With a gentle smile, Liz declared, "Sid, from now on, I'm your aunt-in-law!" ***** Liz found Sid caught in a tight embrace with his first love, Judy Linn. It was supposed to be her wedding night. Just three hours earlier, Liz, partially undressed, had been moments away from consummating their marriage when a phone call shattered everything. It was Judy, his unattainable muse. With a soft, pleading voice, Liz begged him not to answer, but he did anyway. He claimed Judy had accidentally cut her finger and, without hesitation, pushed Liz aside and rushed off. Left alone in their wedding suite, Liz called him repeatedly, but he never picked up. Reluctantly, she dressed and went searching for him. The dazzling chandeliers of the banquet hall bathed the room in a harsh, unforgiving light, illuminating Sid's impossibly handsome face. His gaze at Judy brimmed with a tenderness Liz had never received. When his eyes met Liz's, they were indifferent at best. "Mr. Hill is still hung up on Judy," someone whispered. "Back in university, there were only two spots for studying abroad, and he gave his to her without hesitation. Now, just one call from her, and he ditches his new wife!" "Last weekend, I went shopping with Judy," another chimed in. "She gifted Mr. Hill a box of pure black boxers. Bet he's wearing them tonight, huh?" Laughter and teasing filled the room. Liz's fingers tightened around the door handle—Sid was indeed wearing those black boxers. Two days ago, Liz had been running a fever and begged him to take her to the hospital. After multiple unanswered calls, he finally picked up, only to say Judy was back in town for their wedding and he was going to pick her up at the airport. Before Liz could utter a word, he hung up. So, Judy had returned long ago. Liz struggled to keep her composure, forcing a smile as she prepared to push the door open. Just then, Sid released Judy from his embrace. He let out a soft chuckle, "You should always be the pure, untouchable princess. Liz? She's cut out for the role of a housewife." "Sid, imagine how your wife would feel hearing that," Judy teased, her cheeks flushed as she playfully tapped his chest. The onlookers couldn't help but admire their undeniable connection. If Judy hadn't gone abroad, Liz wouldn't have stood a chance. Someone chimed in, "If it weren't for Judy being a firm believer in staying single, Mr. Hill wouldn't have settled for a knock-off. That Liz, she's nothing but a stand-in for Judy!" Liz's nails dug deep into her palms, drawing blood, yet she felt no pain. Through the thick glass, she watched the scene inside—the clinking of glasses, the laughter, the camaraderie. Judy lost another game, and the punishment was to share a toast with a gentleman present. Sid loosened two buttons on his shirt, a confident smirk tugging at his lips. With a forceful push, Liz shoved the door open, and the once-lively room fell into sudden silence. "Liz, don't take it personally, we were just joking," someone stammered. "Yeah, yeah, just a joke! Don't take it seriously! We must've interrupted the newlyweds' special night. Mr. Hill, why don't you take your wife back now?" another person said. Sid's face flushed with embarrassment, his brows furrowed deeply. "Why are you here?" he asked, his voice tense. "I noticed you hadn't come back for a while, so..." Liz's fair face lifted, a forced smile plastered on. "Are you playing a game? I overheard something about kissing—who's kissing whom? I'm pretty good at taking pictures. Need me to capture the moment for you?" The room fell dead silent. Liz gave a self-deprecating smile. "Looks like I came at the wrong time. You all carry on. I'll head back." As the door to the banquet hall shut behind her, tears streamed down her face, falling like raindrops onto the floor. She ran, head down, into the elevator, only to bump into a tall, sturdy figure. She gasped, her waist instantly caught by the man's strong arms. Just as quickly, he let her go with a gentleman's poise. Liz instinctively looked up, murmuring, "I'm sorry," but her words caught in her throat as she met his gaze—eyes as deep as the ocean, sharp and predatory, like a leopard on the hunt. The man exuded an aura of authority. "Why are your eyes so red? Did someone hurt you?" His voice, deep and smooth like a cello, carried a hint of concern. His handsome brows knitted slightly. Liz's heart raced as she recognized him. Lex Hill, the infamous heir of the Hill family, known for his ruthlessness across Kingsford. He was Sid's uncle by name. She wondered if he was here to attend the ceremony. Remembering the scene from the banquet hall, Liz stiffened. "Uncle, I—I just got something in my eyes," she stammered, her heart pounding. Under Lex's piercing gaze, and with the handkerchief he offered, she felt exposed. When the elevator dinged, announcing their arrival, Liz blurted out a hurried "Goodbye" and bolted like a scared rabbit. Watching her retreating figure, Lex clutched the handkerchief, his eyes darkened with an inscrutable intensity. ***** Back in the newlywed suite, Liz gazed at the festive decorations, a sharp pang of bitterness twisted in her chest. She recalled the morning. The usually aloof and distant Sid had become obsessively meticulous about his appearance, not only styling his hair flawlessly but also carefully selecting his shirt and tie. Turned out, men weren't immune to primping for their exes either. Sid also put in the effort when meeting his old flame. Liz had been Sid's junior at university. The computer science department's golden boy, he was the object of admiration for both professors and female students alike. With his striking looks, he even outshone the male models in fashion magazines. The whole department buzzed with gossip about who'd finally snag this elusive catch. Liz, head over heels, pulled out all the stops to win him over—whipping up breakfast for him every morning, writing love letters, engineering "accidental" meetups in the cafeteria, sneaking into his computer science classes, showing up with an umbrella whenever it poured, and delivering medicine when he fell ill. He didn't toss her heartfelt gifts aside but handed them back, saying, "Thank you. I hope you can focus more on your studies. Keep it up." Instead of backing off, Liz doubled down on her crush. That was until he started dating Judy, the department's reigning beauty, and then broke up. No one had a clue that while Sid handed his study-abroad slot to Judy, his mother had fallen seriously ill with stomach cancer. He was drowning in it—balancing a mountain of schoolwork, sky-high medical bills, and the emotional and psychological strain of caring for a cancer patient. Sid lost over twenty pounds, and Liz's heart broke for him. She called in favors through her aunt at the hospital, personally staying overnight to keep watch and bringing meals. Even after the surgery, the cancer metastasized. Three months later, before Sid's mother passed away, she held Liz's hand and entrusted her to Sid, saying, "Sid, Liz is a good girl. Don't fail her." It was then that Liz learned Sid was the illegitimate son of the Hill family, the most powerful family in Kingsford. His mother's lowly status meant the Hill family wouldn't give him the time of day. After handling his mother's funeral, Liz sobbed until her face was streaked with tears. She resented the cruel disease that stole Sid's dearest family and hated the Mr. Hills for their elitist arrogance, refusing to recognize his identity. That day, Sid, dressed head-to-toe in black, held an umbrella with his slender fingers, shielding Liz from the rain. "Liz, do you like me?" he asked. She froze, tears glistening on her lashes, and nodded. In the next moment, he swept her into a one-armed embrace. His heart thudded against her ear, steady and strong. Later, Sid was recommended for grad school with top honors, eventually starting his own business. When his studies kept him busy, she played house, cooking for him and tending to his every need. When the grind of building his business left him drained, she ditched her job to back him up full-time. Not long ago, she finally thought her struggles were over. Sid's company had successfully gone public, and their wedding went off without a glitch. Overnight, she became the much-admired Mrs. Hill. But now, tears poured down Liz's face as she furiously wiped them away. As soon as she stepped inside, she tore off the ill-fitting high heels and stripped off the cumbersome gown. By the time she stood in front of the mirror, nothing was left but the diamond ring on her finger. Her almond-shaped eyes were swollen and puffy, resembling walnuts. The ring was a bit too loose—a circle of heart-shaped pink diamonds encircling a central stone. When she slid it off, the lamplight illuminated the engraved letters inside: Sid & Judy! It felt like a hammer was relentlessly pounding her skull. Liz's head spun as rage surged through her. Her wedding ring—the emblem of her union—was etched with Judy's name!