Chapter 7 Wound and Desire

A hard slap landed on Niel's cheek. The man froze for a moment, feeling the sting from the woman he had just forced to kiss. Niel held his cheek, wincing briefly, then suddenly grabbed Lena's body and pressed his lips against hers once again.

Lena struggled, her hands pushing against his chest, but the man only tightened his hold. The kiss broke for just a second-long enough to take a breath-before Niel continued with even greater fervor.

"Hmpf..."

Lena tried to press her lips tightly shut, refusing to let Niel deepen the kiss. But unexpectedly, his lips trailed lower, exploring every inch of her neck.

"Stop!" Lena snapped. "Or I'll scream!" She was bold enough now to threaten him.

"Go ahead, scream," Niel challenged. "People will find us, and we'll go viral for doing something indecent. Is that what you want? Besides, this place is deserted... it's only the two of us here."

His hand began wandering over her body, slipping into the slit of her dress, caressing her smooth thigh. Lena tried to swat his hand away, but he ignored her, continuing with touches that could tempt anyone.

"Don't..." Lena shook her head when she felt his hand against her.

"You're already wet, sweetheart..." he whispered seductively. "Just enjoy it..."

Lena shook her head again. She knew her body would soon betray her, but she didn't want to be treated this way.

"Ah..." she moaned when Niel stroked her sensitive spot over the fabric, while his lips marked her pale neck, sending her blood racing. But she did not want any of this.

Unknowingly, tears began to stream down her cheeks. Niel froze when he heard her sob. He pulled back slightly, staring at her tear-streaked face. Regret suddenly stabbed at him for forcing himself on her just to sate his desire.

Niel cupped her cheek, wiping her tears away. "I'm sorry..." he said softly.

Her sobs were the only answer. Niel then placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and embraced her tenderly.

"I'm sorry..."

---

Lena sat on a chair before her vanity, staring at her own reflection.

Her face... was horrendous.

Dark blotches resembling acne scars, uneven contour lines drawn on purpose, lipstick smeared past the edges of her lips. Every morning she spent over thirty minutes ensuring her face looked repulsive enough that even Axcel wouldn't spare her a glance. That was the point.

But...

"Why am I doing this? How stupid," she muttered bitterly.

She sighed, lowering her head slightly, fingers tapping against the vanity.

"How did I end up trapped in this damned marriage?" her voice rose. "Forced to marry an arrogant stranger for the sake of family... and worse, dealing with his absurd, mysterious uncle who-"

She stopped.

"-whose kiss..."

Her fists clenched at her sides. The face in the mirror glared back at her, filled with anger and shame.

"Oh God! Why am I thinking about that kiss?" she growled at her reflection. "He attacked me last night! And now my mind recalls how it felt? I'm losing my mind!"

Lena stood and began pacing the room like a caged tiger.

"And now where is he? He said he wouldn't be home today. It's almost midnight! Why isn't he back yet?"

Her thoughts began to wander.

"Did he go to Selena's Dream?" she whispered. "With who? So fast... already looking for someone else?"

She hugged herself, biting her lip.

"Damn it, Lena! Why are you even thinking about him? Aren't you supposed to hate him?"

Knock knock.

A soft knock startled her.

Her eyes widened.

Knock knock.

She instantly tensed, her heart pounding.

"Who would knock at this hour?" she thought in panic.

Thank God her ugly makeup was still on. She walked slowly to the door.

"Who is it?" Lena asked cautiously.

No answer.

Knock knock.

With trembling hands, she turned the knob and opened the door slightly-

Only for a body to collapse into her arms.

"Uncle?!" she cried in shock.

Niel.

His body was weak, his breath ragged.

Lena nearly fell as she tried to support his weight.

"Uncle?! Oh my God, what happened to you?!"

Then she saw it-

Blood.

Seeping from his chest, staining his white shirt crimson.

"Oh God! You're bleeding!" she screamed. "What is this?! A gunshot wound?! Uncle, what happened to you? Who did this?!" she asked frantically.

Niel groaned, his face contorted with pain. "Could you... close the door first? I don't want anyone seeing me like this..."

Lena quickly nodded. She helped him up the stairs to her room on the second floor. His breathing was labored, his steps faltering, but he managed to walk with her support. With great effort, Lena laid him down on her bed, then rushed to lock the door.

Once secured, her gaze fell on his bloodied body.

"The wound... oh God... I have to clean it first," Lena muttered anxiously. She darted into the bathroom and returned with a basin of warm water and a small towel.

Setting the basin on the bedside table, she looked at Niel, who was still breathing shallowly.

"Let me... help take off your shirt," she said hesitantly.

Niel only gave a faint nod.

Her hands trembled as she touched the blood-soaked collar. She unbuttoned it slowly, and when it came free, she gasped at the gash on his upper abdomen. Blood still seeped from it.

"This is bad..." she whispered, pressing the soft towel against the wound.

"Uncle... what happened? Why are you hurt like this?" she asked, unable to hide her worry.

Niel managed a faint smile through the pain. "Why? Do you care?"

Lena scoffed lightly, her eyes never leaving the wound. "Of course I care. You're my husband's uncle. You're family, aren't you?"

Niel studied her face in silence.

"Is that the only reason?"

Lena paused. "Uncle... of course that's the reason."

She lowered her gaze, trying to mask her discomfort while continuing to clean the blood away.

"Lena..."

"Yes?" her voice was soft, hesitant.

"Why are you... so beautiful?"

Lena blinked, then glared at him. "Uncle-what do you mean? Even my own husband thinks I'm disgusting."

Niel let out a weak laugh, wincing from the pain. "To me... you're beautiful."

Lena fell silent. Her heart pounded hard. Why was he saying this? And why did it sound so sincere?

Their eyes met.

Time seemed to slow.

Niel's face leaned closer. Lena didn't move.

"Don't, Uncle. This is wrong..." she whispered nervously.

"Why?" his voice was deep, gentle.

"Because... I'm your nephew's wife."

But Niel didn't stop. He pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was tender, yet searing. Lena's eyes widened, her hands instinctively pushing against his chest until the kiss broke. Niel groaned in pain.

"I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to hurt your wound..."

Lena panicked, wanting to check his injury again, but before she could, Niel pulled her down onto the bed, his body now above hers.

"Uncle! Please-don't!" she pleaded, her voice trembling.

"I can't..." he murmured, gazing deep into her eyes.

Before Lena could speak again, his lips captured hers once more. This time deeper, filled with desire. His gentle touch ignited something within her-something she hadn't felt in a long time.

Lena's eyes fluttered. Oh God... what's happening? Why can't my body resist?

At last, the kiss broke. Both were panting, their eyes locked in a silence that spoke volumes.

Reality hit Lena hard.

"I-I have to change the water," she stammered, quickly grabbing the basin.

She ran into the bathroom and shut the door tight. In front of the mirror, she stared at her reflection. Her eyes were wide, her cheeks flushed, her lips still trembling.

"What just happened...?" she whispered.

Meanwhile, Niel lay weak on the bed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Despite the pain racking his body, a warmth spread through his chest. He stared at the ceiling and whispered softly...

"Lena..."

The woman who owned a nightlife business.

The woman who was his nephew's wife.

The woman who... had secretly stolen his heart.