Chapter 3 That Time My Husband's Uncle Agreed To Marry Me

• It was a dangerous and highly preposterous proposal. And I knew I was treading on dangerous waters.
• My confidence, little as it was, came from the moment we shared three years ago.
• That one steamy night of passion and pleasure. The unforgettable memory still haunted me to date. Regardless of how forbidden it was meant to be, my body couldn't deny the pleasure we felt.
• And truth be told, I would gladly make the same mistake over again.
• “Marriage?” He repeated, testing the word on his lips and it sounded foreign. He gestured towards the center of the huge office where his couch was and I followed.
• Is this a good sign? That he isn't throwing me out immediately?
• “Yes. I know that it sounded absurd but if you could give me a few minutes of your time…”
• “You have all my time Elizabeth.” He walked past, making my heart skip a beat as I gently took my seat.
• The adrenaline in me was pumping fast and I tried my best to not look at him. To not ogle the man. How does one get built like that?
• Ripped muscles and bulky figure.
• “Thank you.”
• “What can I offer you? You don't take coffee yes?”
• “Yes, I…” I paused and held his gaze. The confusion flickered across my eyes. We may have a memory but it didn't involve so much speaking and I certainly did my best to avoid the man after the incident.
• How did he know I didn't take coffee? It was a health decision I made two years ago.
• “Mason mentioned it once.”
• “Oh…water please.”
• Of course, the bastard is the source. The mention of my husband, who to me is now an ex, stirred up memories I would rather bury. Adjusting my position on the chair, he returned with water for us both.
• “Thank you.”
• “You are nervous,” he stated, taking his seat across me.
• “I…I am not.”
• “You are toying with your fingers Elizabeth.”
• I went stiff. It was also something I had done three years ago when I found out the mistake. How he seemed to remember made my heart skip a beat.
• I remembered the end of my past life. His voice was the last I heard. His eyes were the last I saw and his hand was the last to reach out. It felt ironic that my own husband had been the one to order my death and the man who didn't care if I used him as a boy toy, had tried to save me.
• “Chairman Torrington, I know how absurd it sounds given the state of our relationship.”
• “The state of our relationship does not matter to me.” he moved forward, resting his elbows on his chin while his blue eyes pierced me with questions. “What surprises me is that you have avoided me for three years Elizabeth. Something you did perfectly.”
• He was right. “With the history, I did not want to make things awkward.”
• “Were you afraid of making things awkward or were you afraid you would not be able to resist?” The tone was back again. The one that had taunted me that night and commented that I would be making a mistake going to Mason. And he was right.
• But I was here to right the wrong now.
• “I know…” my statement was cut short by an incoming call from my sister. Rolling my eyes, I knew she would keep disturbing me if I didn't pick. I had ignored all of Mason's calls since I woke up yesterday. “Excuse me.”
• “Elizabeth!” Sophia's voice rang out. “Mason has been worried about you. Why didn't you pick?” She was silent for some seconds before continuing. “I know that what we did is wrong and we shouldn't have taken that step but sister we had no choice. We really love each other. Sister I am very sorry. I cannot tell you how sorry I am actually.” She sniffed for a bit.
• “It is fine. Although I cannot understand why, it is very understandable and natural that my sister and husband would fall in love with each other. After all, you two are more alike.”
• “Sister…thank you for always understanding. About the divorce papers, Mason wanted to know if you have signed them.” I could hear sheets rustling in the background and Mason whispering.
• The bastards even had the guts to call me while they were tangled together. “About the divorce…” I glanced at Chairman Torrington whose heavy gaze I felt all over my skin. My body tingled with need and when he caught my eye, he gave me a faint smile that made butterflies flutter in my stomach. “... I cannot discuss it right now but you two had better not think it will be so easy to get rid of me.”
• “But Elizabeth do you not understand that he doesn't want you anymore? I am crying his child now!” She took in a deep breath and sounded defeated. “Fine then! Have it your way! Mason wanted me to let you know about the Family banquet tomorrow night, we will be going together and you can find another transport means to the Villa.”
• She hung up before I could get a word out and I fisted the phone in my palm. Tomorrow was the day they would get rid of me. And yet they sounded so smug about it.
• I didn't realize I was shaking until I felt Nikolas sit next to me. His arms wrapped themselves around my shoulders and he pulled me into his strong chest. The scent was intoxicating but it calmed my nerves.
• A fresh wave of emotions took over my body, the familiar attraction I felt anytime I thought about the man was back and the lewd images quickly flashed through. I wriggled free from his hold and adjusted my dress.
• “Thank you.”
• “If it is a marriage you need, we will get one.” His tone was amazingly soft and it made me melt.
• “Is that pity I taste?”
• “Just a man trying to grab a hold of something he has always wanted to but the woman chose to avoid him like a plague.”
• His response stilled me and I realized, our closeness was in fact too…close. His palm cradled my face while his thumb softly pressed against the side of my lip.
• “Chairman Torrington, I know that using you to get revenge is wrong but you can be assured, we will divorce after a year. I just need to do something important.”
• His expression didn't falter but he nodded. “Anything you want, Elizabeth.”
• “You are very close.”
• “And it bothers you?”
• “It is clouding my thinking.” I was being honest and he chuckled.
• “Good.” He stared at my lips for a while before sitting back. “Now that you do not have a date for the banquet, will you go with me?”
• His palm was extended and I gadfly placed mine in it. “I certainly will.”
• Without a word, he pulled me closer to himself such that I was now cradling the man, my back was stiff but my chest was pressed against his.
• “Scandalous Miss Darby. Attending a Torrington family banquet with your uncle-in-law.” His words made me lean closer, lips dangerously close to his. “Quite scandalous.”
• “I have always been a woman that loves scandals.”
• A voice replayed in my head. Unfamiliar ache in it yet, it sounded like an old song, with sparkling blue lights and a strong soul. Red spilled across my vision but I blurred it out ignoring the ring in my head as I had done before.
• But the voice was there. The same one that haunted me when I woke.
• “How does it feel to live knowing you are Nikola's death?”