He Betrayed Me, I Married His Powerful Uncle

Chapter 3

The Level Nine Test came completely out of the blue.

Cindy checked into the top tier private hospital owned by the Hayes family, claiming she had "severe morning sickness."

Brandon called me, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Claire, the Level Nine Test: Dedication.

"Cindy needs someone to take care of her. Move into the hospital and wait on her 24/7."

"I am your wife, not a maid."

This was the first time I had ever talked back to him.

On the other end of the line, he roared furiously.

"You can't even have a kid. What's the difference between you and a maid?

"This is your chance to make up for your screw-up. If you don't go, get the hell out of the Hayes family for good!"

I hung up on him right then and there.

I packed a few clothes quickly and headed to the hospital.

In the ward, Cindy lay in bed. When she saw me, her eyes were full of triumph.

"Claire, looks like I'm counting on you for everything from now on."

She started tormenting me in all kinds of creative ways.

One moment she demanded fresh pressed juice flown in from South Savonia. The next, she insisted on eating wontons from that legendary old shop on the west side of town.

In the dead of night, she would suddenly jolt me awake, complaining of leg cramps and demanding I massage them for her.

I did everything she asked.

My other identity was a top tier nutritionist.

That let me legitimately take full control of Cindy's "pregnancy" data.

I was always the first person to get my hands on every one of her "prenatal checkup" reports.

I bribed a nurse in charge of her care and had her send me Cindy's real physical stats every day.

The result was exactly what I expected.

All of Cindy's hormone levels showed absolutely no sign of pregnancy.

Her so-called morning sickness was nothing more than indigestion from eating too much.

At the same time, I took the hair samples of Brandon that I had secretly collected earlier,

and sent them along with one of Cindy's hair to a testing agency I trusted.

Brandon never let me touch his stuff, but I always found a way.

Strands off his pillow. Flakes of skin left on his razor.

After finishing all this, I drove home to pick up some things.

On a downhill stretch of road, I hit the brake, but my foot hit nothing.

The brakes were gone?!

All the color drained from my face instantly. I gripped the steering wheel so hard my knuckles went white.

The out-of-control car scraped along the guardrail for dozens of yards before slamming hard into a big tree.

The airbag deployed. The impact left me dizzy and out of it. My forehead was cut open, and blood streamed down my face.

I slumped in the driver's seat, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would jump out of my throat.

I had my car serviced every month. There's no way this was an accident.

This was attempted murder.

Was it Linda, or was it Brandon?

For a baby that doesn't even exist, they would actually try to take my life!

A tidal wave of fear and rage crashed over me.

Late that night, I lay in a hospital bed at a different facility when I got a call from Nathan.

His voice came through the receiver, deep and clear.

"Claire, I know about the car crash."

I gripped my phone so tight my knuckles went white.

"Some people will do anything to cover up a secret. Take care of yourself."

His words were like an anchor, instantly steadying my tangled, frayed nerves.

"Uncle Nathan, thank you."

"You're family. It's only right that I protect you."

He paused, then lowered his voice even more.

"Claire, you are smarter and tougher than I expected. The Hayes family needs a mistress like you."

My breath caught.

Nathan's words held so much unspoken meaning.

He not only knew the truth behind the car crash, but had also seen through my patience and my plans.

This was him reaching out to me. Maybe even an invitation to team up.

"Uncle Nathan, I just want to stay alive."

"Then live well," he said. "If you need help, come to me anytime."

The call ended.

I stared out the window at the night, and that lingering fear after the crash slowly faded away.

In its place was a calmness and resolve I had never felt before.

Brandon, Linda, it's time for your test to end.