Marrying the Ex Uncle

Amanda's POVI climbed into the small rental car I had hired from the automobile company on my first day here. It was cheap and old, but my only option for transport whilst I was in Italy. I started the engine and drove off in the direction of the diner where I would be working my second shift for today. My real reason for being in Italy was because I had been sent by the company I worked for in New York. I had begged my boss, who was also my boyfriend, to let me stay back this time. The business trip coincided with my father's memorial and it was not something I wanted to miss. However, he disagreed, arguing that I was the best person for the job since research was my specialty. Arriving here, I realized that this whole trip was just a waste of time. The investor I was supposed to meet with had canceled on short notice. So the one week that my boss was letting me stay here had gone to waste. I was so angry and tried to call my boyfriend, but he didn't answer. Frustrated, I decided

Amanda's POVI stayed at the hospital till nightfall, until I was certain that my mother was stable. It was 9 pm when I finally left her ward to find a place to sleep. I had no choice but to spend the night at the hospital, after all. Where else would I go? Those loan sharks had seized our house already. This thought threatened to bring tears to my eyes, but I blinked them back. I had cried enough for one day. I found a storage room full of light blankets, and I took two and spread them on the floor beside my mother's bed. I was just lying down when a nurse walked in. "Excuse me, ma'am, what are you doing?""I…I just want to spend the night here with my mother," I said, praying she wouldn't ask for more details on why I couldn't go home. The nurse shook her head. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but you're not allowed to do that." My chest deflated. "Please, it's just for tonight. It's already so late, and I don't have anywhere else to go.""It's against hospital policy, ma'am. Visitors aren't

CHAPTER FIVEAmanda's POV"Gosh, Amanda, where have you been?" Vanessa asked the moment I walked into her apartment. She had been pacing around worriedly when I walked in. She rushed to my side immediately. "What happened? You said you were going to the coffee shop to look for another job. I got there and couldn't find you.""Um…I was just…I went strolling."Vanessa stared at me, her eyes narrowing. "You went strolling? You, Amanda, strolling?""Yes," I muttered, walking past her quickly and putting my bag down. Vanessa and I had been friends for years, and she was one person who always knew when I was lying to her. But what was I supposed to say? If I told her I'd gotten married today, she would slap me and probably take me to the hospital for a mental illness! I couldn't tell her…not now. "Really, Amanda? Are you being honest?""Mm hmm. I just went to clear my head."I know she didn't believe me, but she sighed. "Fine, okay. But next time please call me, okay? I was really worried.

Amanda's POVAll the anger that was raging in my chest immediately subsided at Quinn's mention of the check. For a few moments I could not speak. I stared at him mouth agape, wondering how on earth I was going to get five million dollars back. It was literally impossible!My mind racked with thoughts and options. Was there a way to get out of this? Being married to Logan's uncle was the strangest, most distasteful situation I had ever found myself in. But if the only way to be free of this was to return the money, what was I supposed to do? The only thing I could think of was taking out another loan to pay off Quinn. But that was a stupid idea. I had barely been able to get my mother and I out of the debt my father left. Taking another loan would be begging to be killed, at this point. I had to think of my mother, and of our lives. Once again I felt helpless. My eyes found their way to Quinn who was still observing me with that emotionless expression. A wave of bitterness flooded th

Amanda's POVThere was a long silence on the other end of the phone before Logan finally heaved a sigh. "Amanda.." I shut my eyes tightly in pain, already knowing what was coming next. He wouldn't do it. He just couldn't. And I knew it. My chest burned with pain and I cursed myself silently for letting Logan hurt me again. Once again he had chosen the other girl over me. This was his second rejection, and I let myself be foolishly hopeful. I wanted to slap myself across the face."You know what, Logan, don't bother," I spat. "I don't want anything from you, so keep your damn favors. And for your information, I won't be divorcing your uncle. Do with that what you will."Angrily, I hung up on him and tossed my phone into my purse. The stinging of my eyes made my throat tighten, and it all just felt too much. Hearing his voice again, him choosing his mistress over me, it was hurtful. My chest felt full and heavy, and without warning, tears spurted from my eyes. I tried to stop them b