Share

Chapter 0087

Author: Melanie96
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-13 23:41:10

After that sleepover, my friends’ words refused to leave me. They kept repeating in my mind at every quiet moment, forcing me to confront something I had been too hurt to even consider.

What if Alaric was being coerced?

My own heartbreak had consumed me, and I so sure of my betrayal that I never once stopped to question the way it all happened. I had taken his cold, detached words at face value—because believing them was easier than searching for a truth that might just be my mind trying to rationalise the whole thing.

But now, I decide to look. Really look.

At first, the signs are subtle. Celeste is always the one reaching for him, her hands constantly finding his arm, his shoulder, his chest. She talks endlessly, filling silences he doesn’t seem interested in breaking. And then there’s Alaric—rigid, detached. His responses are clipped, his eyes never quite meeting hers.

And then I see it—the barely-there tick of his jaw, the quiet tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers cu
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Related chapters

  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0088

    3rd Person POVCeleste smiled as she traced a finger down Alaric’s arm, relishing the way he tensed beneath her touch. He was always so rigid, so composed—but that was what made him perfect. Powerful, untouchable. And now, he was hers.Of course, that little slut was always lurking around, but it didn’t matter. Alaric belonged to her. He just didn’t realize it yet.She had loved him from the moment she first saw him, standing tall in the middle of a lavish gala, looking as if he ruled the world. And maybe he did. He had that presence, that quiet dominance that made everyone take notice. Celeste had been drawn to him instantly. Love at first sight, they called it.But for her, she just didn't love him, she wanted to own him, and all she needed was an opportunity.And one man had given her exactly that.She hadn’t expected him—the stranger who had approached her one evening, speaking in riddles but making promises she couldn’t ignore. He had known things about her, her desperation, and

    Last Updated : 2025-03-14
  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0089

    "Why must you be so stubborn?" he retorts, trying to shake me off, but he's so gentle that I could hold on to him with no effort. "This has nothing to do with you Anna"I tighten my grip on his shirt, refusing to back down. “It has everything to do with me,” I counter, my voice unwavering. “You think I don’t see it? The way you flinch when she touches you? The way your jaw clenches every time she’s near?”His eyes darken, a flicker of something dangerous passing through them, but it’s gone before I can name it.“You’re imagining things.”“Liar,” I breathe.His body tenses beneath my hands. I can feel it—the internal war raging inside him, the push and pull between whatever is holding him back and whatever part of him wants to tell me the truth.“Let go, Anna,” he says, but his fingers are still digging into my waist, still holding me close.I shake my head. “Not until you look me in the eye and tell me you love her.”Silence.A heavy, suffocating silence.His lips part slightly, but n

    Last Updated : 2025-03-15
  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0090

    His words sink deep into my chest, unraveling something raw inside me. He would do it again—a thousand times over. A shuddering breath escapes me as I stare into his golden eyes, dark and unreadable, yet filled with something that makes my heart ache. I don’t know who moves first. Maybe it’s him. Maybe it’s me. Maybe it’s inevitable. But in the next breath, I’m in his arms. His lips claim mine with a desperate intensity, as if he’s trying to brand his presence into my very soul. I feel his fingers tighten in my hair, his other hand sliding to my waist, pulling me flush against him. A gasp slips from my lips, but he swallows the sound, deepening the kiss, drinking me in. Heat coils low in my stomach, a wildfire igniting between us. Every touch, every caress, is unspoken emotion—frustration, longing, relief. My hands wander over his back, memorizing the way his muscles tense under my fingertips. He’s warm, solid, real. I tilt my head back as his lips move down my jaw, traili

    Last Updated : 2025-03-18
  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0091

    The next few days felt like a breath of fresh air. It was as if the weight that had been pressing down on my chest had finally lifted, the storm inside me settling into something calmer, more manageable. Alaric hadn’t betrayed me. He hadn’t chosen Celeste over me. I had been wrong, and the truth had set everything into motion again.Work became easier, too. I could focus on the tasks in front of me without that constant knot of anxiety twisting my stomach. The reports, the meetings—everything seemed more like routine again instead of a battleground.But there was still Celeste.Every time I passed her in the halls, my stomach churned, and my gaze followed her as she clung to Alaric’s side like a vine. Her hand was always on his arm; her laughter was too loud, too eager. I hated seeing them together. It was like a punch to the gut, a reminder of everything I’d been afraid of, everything I’d once thought was true.Still, I managed to keep my composure. I focused on my work, on keeping m

    Last Updated : 2025-04-06
  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0092

    After everyone had cleared out—her parents heading to bed, Brian retreating to his room with a muttered, “Don’t stay up too late,” and Ellie offering one last encouraging squeeze of her hand, i found myself lingering in the hallway.Damian was just about to leave when I called out, “Hey, Damian? Can we talk? Just for a minute.”He paused, nodding, and followed her into the quiet of the kitchen. The warm light from the overhead fixtures cast a soft glow over the space.“I wanted to ask you something,” I began, leaning against the counter, arms crossed loosely in front of me. “Back when you mentioned someone trying to interfere with your company—do you still think someone’s trying to take it over?”Damian scratched the back of his neck, looking thoughtful. “I did,” he said carefully. “Before, there were a lot of unusual movements. Strange buyout offers, shady investors trying to snag minor shares—nothing illegal, but definitely calculated. It felt like someone was testing the waters, se

    Last Updated : 2025-04-07
  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0093

    I don’t waste a second.I grab my tablet, the folder of reports—anything that looks official enough to pass as a legitimate excuse—and head straight for Alaric’s office. I keep my expression neutral as I walk past Celeste, who’s typing away on her phone. Her eyes flick up briefly, and I flash her a tight, polite smile. She doesn’t return it.Good.Once inside, I shut the door quietly and lock it, just like he told me to.Alaric’s already up from his chair, tension radiating from his frame. He doesn’t speak at first. He just strides toward me and wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his chest like he knew it was exactly what I needed.“I heard,” he says, voice low. “Is he okay?”“He’s shaken, but safe. Damian’s got him under heavy protection now.” I pause. “It was deliberate, Alaric. A message. They wanted me to know they can get to my family anytime they want.”He pulls back enough to meet my gaze. His golden eyes are colder than I’ve ever seen them—sharp, dangerous. “That was th

    Last Updated : 2025-04-08
  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0094

    I lean against the far wall, arms crossed, staring at Celeste’s unconscious form slumped in the chair. Her long hair is a tangled mess now, falling across her face like a broken curtain. It’s hard to believe that just hours ago, she was barging into Alaric’s office in full control, heels clicking like she owned the place. Now she’s here—drugged, tied up, stripped of all that bravado.After she collapsed, Alaric had Tristan haul her through the private elevator, the one most employees don’t even know exists. No one saw us leave. No one knows where we are. The safe house is far from the city, heavily guarded, and soundproof.She stirs.I straighten instantly, watching her brows twitch, fingers flexing behind her bound back. Her eyes flutter open slowly, scanning her surroundings—and then she sees us.Alaric beside me, sharp and unreadable. Tristan near the door, arms folded. Jason to her left, silent and brooding. And me, watching every flicker of emotion play across her face.Her breat

    Last Updated : 2025-04-09
  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0095

    Something in me softens as I watch Celeste shrink into herself.Gone is the haughty woman who stormed into Alaric’s office, who tried to pit us against each other and stood tall beside a man she thought was invincible. Now, she’s… a discarded pawn, trembling on the edge of irrelevance.I walk over quietly and kneel beside her, lowering myself to her level so she doesn’t feel surrounded or attacked. Her eyes flick to mine, red-rimmed and wide, like she doesn’t know whether to expect mercy or mockery.But I speak gently.“If you tell us everything you know,” I say, my voice calm and honest, “Alaric will let you go. No more games, no more threats. Just tell the truth, Celeste. Help us stop him.”Her lips tremble, and I see the fight start to leave her body.“No one else has to know,” I add. “But you can’t go back to him. Not after this. And you know that.”She blinks rapidly, a single tear slipping down her cheek before she quickly wipes it away, as if she still doesn’t want to appear we

    Last Updated : 2025-04-10

Latest chapter

  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0132

    The ballroom at the Carlton Grand was the kind of place that made you forget where you came from.It was bathed in golden light, with chandeliers dripping crystals that cast soft sparkles on everything they touched. Orchids in white, pale lilac, and blush overflowed from massive glass vases. The centerpiece of the hall was a marble staircase wrapped in silk garlands and fairy lights, descending into a sea of people dressed in their finest. Music from a live string quartet danced softly in the air, setting a dreamy tone to the night.But nothing, not the flowers, the champagne, or the camera flashes, could drown out the pounding of my heart. Is this really necessary? Is there a window I could jump out from?“Ready?” Alaric asked, offering me his arm.I turned to him.He looked like a painting, a classic black tuxedo tailored to perfection, the tiniest hint of cologne that made my pulse skip, and a sapphire pocket square that matched my dress exactly. I had no idea how he always managed

  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0131

    Biological Mother - MotherAdoptive Mother - Mum-----------------The charity ball was only a few days away, and naturally, Mum, Ellie, and Mother declared it a fashion emergency. “We’re going to Lux,” Ellie had said with the kind of gleam in her eye that made me feel like I was about to walk into a makeover montage. “And no, you don’t get a say.”So, here I was, barefoot on a velvet pedestal in the middle of Lux’s elite fitting suite, trying on what had to be my hundredth dress. I was fairly certain I’d tried on every shade of gold known to man and possibly one that hadn't been invented yet.“Nope,” Ellie said for the eighth time in a row, waving her hand like a disapproving judge on a reality show. “Too much sparkle. You look like a sentient disco ball.”I groaned and flopped onto the chaise lounge dramatically. “I’m pretty sure I’ve aged ten years in this fitting room.”Mum chuckled. “Oh hush, you look beautiful in everything.”“Which would be helpful if we were shopping for every

  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0130

    As dessert was served—rich chocolate cake with a generous swirl of whipped cream—I leaned back in my seat, letting the warmth of the evening settle into my chest. The conversation had flowed so easily all night, filled with laughter and sharing memories.It still felt surreal—sitting here with my biological parents, with Damian and Ellie, like it was the most natural thing in the world. A week ago, they were strangers. Now? They were mine. And I was theirs.I was mid-bite when my mum set down her wine glass and tilted her head at me, her eyes shining with something suspiciously close to mischief.“So,” she said casually, though I wasn’t fooled for a second. “What about Alaric?”I blinked. “What about him?”Her grin only widened. “Are you two serious?”I nearly choked on my cake. “Mum!”She raised her hands in mock innocence. “What? I’ve always wanted the son of my best friend to marry into the family. I gave up hope, of course, but now…” She gave me the most satisfied smile I’d ever s

  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0129

    The office was quiet, the usual morning hum of keyboards and clinking mugs a strangely comforting background to the storm of thoughts in her head. She stared at her screen, a spreadsheet open but untouched, and found her eyes drifting to the photo frame next to her monitor. It was a picture of her and Brian at her last birthday, smiling in the kitchen with a cake that had sunk in the middle.They’d laughed so hard that night. That used to be her whole world—her job, Brian, the quiet comfort of routine.Brian had missed the whole thing as he was away on a business trip in Singapore, but the moment he found out, he called her. She’d barely gotten two words in before he started gushing, saying he always knew she was special, that it all somehow made sense now. His voice cracked when he told her how proud he was, how happy he was that she’d found where she belonged. “You’ve always had a big family, Anna,” he said gently. “We were just waiting for the rest of them to find you.”And then th

  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0128

    Mr. and Mrs. Ashford, my biological parents, step forward. I see the uncertainty in their eyes, like they’re holding their breath. I swallow and look at them, still overwhelmed, still unsure."I know this is a lot," Mrs. Ashford begins gently. "And we’re not trying to take anything from you. We’re just… so grateful to have found you again. We lost you once. We don’t want to lose you again."Mr. Ashford clears his throat, his voice gruff but steady. "We never stopped looking. When the adoption records were sealed and the orphanage shut down… we thought—"He doesn’t finish, but I see it in his eyes. They thought I was gone. And somehow, through a mess of fate and timing, I still ended up in their lives."You don’t have to decide anything now," Mrs. Ashford says, stepping closer. "But if you’re okay with it, we’d like to be part of your life again. And… we’d like you to call us Mum and Dad. If you’re ready. When you’re ready."The words settle over me like a warm, heavy blanket. Familiar

  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0127

    After I’ve washed my face and curled up again beside Alaric on his stupidly comfortable couch, I shoot my mum a text with shaking fingers.Me: Hey, I’m staying at Alaric’s tonight. I just need a bit of time. I’ll come back tomorrow.The reply comes almost immediately.Mum: Okay, sweetheart. Take all the time you need. The Ashfords are staying over too—if that’s okay with you?I stare at the message for a second before typing.Me: That’s okay. Tell them goodnight for me.Mum: We love you. Sleep well.I exhale a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and tuck my phone away. Alaric shifts beside me, his arm still around my shoulders like he’s trying to hold the pieces of me together.“Will you stay with me?” I ask quietly, my voice barely more than a whisper.He looks down at me like it’s the easiest question in the world. “Always.”I don’t say anything after that, just press my face into his chest and let his heartbeat lull me into something that feels like peace. Right before I drift of

  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0126

    “I just… need to clear my head,” I tell Mum as I reach for my coat. My voice is too even, too controlled, and that alone worries her.She places a gentle hand on my arm. “Anna, be careful, please.”I nod, not trusting myself to speak again. I head to the back door, quietly slipping my keys into my pocket. I can’t go through the living room. I can’t face Mr. and Mrs. Ashford—not right now. Are they really my parents? Were they always? My mind recoils at the thought, twisting it around until I don’t know how to feel, only that I feel too much.The air outside is cool against my skin. It should help. It doesn’t.I get in the car and drive.I don’t even remember choosing a direction. My hands move on instinct while my thoughts spiral deeper, tangling in memories I thought I had filed away and sealed shut. My foot presses the gas harder than necessary. At some point, familiar streets start showing up through my windshield, and when I finally pull to a stop, I realize where I am.Alaric’s h

  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0125

    The next evening, I step into the house, expecting the usual scent of dinner and the sound of Mum humming along to the radio. But instead, the air feels heavy and quietquietVoices drift from the living room, low and solemn. As I round the corner, I stop short.Mr. and Mrs. Ashford are sitting on the couch, deep in conversation with my parents. My mum looks like she’s been crying, her eyes a little red and puffy, and Dad’s hands are clasped tightly in his lap. Mr. Ashford’s face is drawn and serious, while Mrs. Ashford’s lips are trembling as if she’s holding back something she’s dying to say.When they see me, Mrs. Ashford immediately rises to her feet.“Anna,” she says, voice soft and wobbly, and the next second she’s across the room, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. Her perfume is familiar, floral, comforting, and yet the hug is filled with something I can’t name. A desperation that makes my stomach twist.I freeze. “Is… is everything okay?”My voice comes out unsure

  • Married My Ex's Uncle In My Second Time   Chapter 0124

    As soon as I step through the front door of the house, still buzzing from the adrenaline of the pitch and the whirlwind of reactions, I barely pause to take off my shoes before heading straight for the kitchen.“Mum?” I call out, already hearing the familiar clatter of pots and the hum of the radio playing softly in the background.She looks up from where she’s chopping vegetables, eyes lighting up the moment she sees me. “Anna! You’re home early.” Then, noting the expression on my face, she sets the knife down and wipes her hands on a towel. “Wait… did something happen? Is everything alright?”I grin and nod, unable to keep it in another second. “More than alright. It went amazing. The board loved the proposal. One of them literally said it’s ‘looking very positive.’”My mum lets out a delighted gasp. “Oh, sweetheart!” She throws her arms around me in a tight hug, practically squeezing the air out of me. “I knew you’d blow them away. You’ve been working so hard—this is incredible.”I

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status