BOUND TO My EX'S UNCLE

Evelyn's hands shook as she stood outside Nathan's penthouse door. She clutched the spare keycard he'd given her months ago, back when he said he wanted her to feel at home here.

Now she wondered if she'd ever really belonged anywhere.

She'd been trying to reach him all week. He kept making excuses, work was busy, he had meetings, his phone died. But today was different. Today she had news that couldn't wait.

The elevator ride felt endless. When the doors opened to his floor, she could hear music playing softly from inside his apartment. At least he was home.

"Nathan?" she called out as she stepped inside. "I know you're here. We need to talk."

No answer. But she could hear voices coming from the bedroom. Low, intimate voices.

Her heart started racing. Maybe he had friends over? Maybe it was just the TV?

"I'm so tired of hiding this," a woman's voice said. Clear as day. "When are you going to tell her about us?"

Evelyn froze. The blood in her veins turned ice cold.

That voice. She knew that voice better than her own.

Maya. Her stepsister.

"Soon, baby. I promise." Nathan's voice was soft, and loving. "Once the Hayes business contract goes through, I'll break up with Evelyn. Then we can be together properly."

The world tilted. Evelyn grabbed the wall to keep from falling.

"I hate watching you pretend to love her," Maya continued. "Especially when I'm carrying your baby."

Baby?

Evelyn's legs gave out. She slid down the wall, her heart shattering into a million pieces.

Nathan was cheating on her. With Maya. And Maya was pregnant.

"You know I only love you," Nathan said. "Evelyn's just... convenient. Her father's company is exactly what we need. Once that's secured, she's useless to me."

Each word was a knife to her chest. Three years. Three years of loving him, planning their future, believing in forever. And she was just convenient?

Tears streamed down her face, but she couldn't make a sound. She couldn't even breathe.

"Remember our first time?" Maya giggled. "On her birthday? She wouldn't sleep with you, so you came to me instead. Best decision you ever made."

Her birthday. The night she'd told Nathan she wanted to wait until marriage. She thought he'd been understanding. Sweet, even.

But he'd gone straight to Maya.

The betrayal hit her like a tide. Not just Nathan, but Maya too. Maya, who'd lived in their house since they were kids. Maya, who she'd shared everything with. Maya, who'd smiled and congratulated her at their engagement party.

"She's so naive," Maya laughed. "Still thinks you're her perfect prince. If only she knew what you're really like."

"Don't be cruel," Nathan said, but he was laughing too. "She can't help being boring."

Boring. Naive. Convenient.

Something inside Evelyn snapped.

She stood up, wiped her tears, and walked to the bedroom. Her heart was breaking, but anger was starting to burn through the pain.

She pushed the door open.