Seven Minutes with my Ex's Uncle

On the night Layla turned eighteen, she learned two things: betrayal stings worse when it's public, and desire doesn't care about rules. What began as a harmless birthday celebration ended with a single reckless choice-one that crossed lines, shattered loyalties, and bound her to the one man she was never supposed to want. Seven minutes was all it took to change everything.

NIGHT CLUB

The bass from the speakers slammed through the nightclub, vibrating the floor and rattling the walls of The Velvet Serpent. Red and purple neon lights sliced across the packed room, flashing over bodies pressed together, sweat-slick skin, polished leather, and glittering heels.

Smoke curled lazily through the air, carrying the sharp mix of perfume, alcohol, and something darker-something dangerous.

Tonight was supposed to matter.Layla stood near the edge of the dance floor, fingers curled around the thin strap of her shimmering top as nerves fluttered low in her stomach.

Eighteen. Officially an adult.

The word felt heavy and important-like a door she'd been waiting her entire life to open.

Her best friend Chloe bounced beside her, excitement radiating from every movement as glitter clinged stubbornly to her eyelids.

"I told you," Chloe shouted over the music, grinning. "No boring family dinners,no awkward cake. This is how you celebrate adulthood."

Layla forced a smile, trying to let the moment sink in.She had imagined this night so many times-laughter, music, Liam's arms around her, his lips against hers at midnight, a kiss that meant something more because everything was supposed to be different now.

Her eyes scanned the crowd instinctively and then she saw him.Relief bloomed for half a second as Liam came into view, leaning casually against the bar with his dark hair falling into his eyes and a drink loose in his hand.

Layla started toward him, weaving through the crowd as her heart raced with anticipation.

Then she noticed a girl beside Liam. She was beautiful with bright pink lipstick and a sharp smile. Her body was angled into Liam's space in a way that felt far too intimate. One manicured hand rested on his arm as she laughed, head tipped back.

Layla slowed while the music dulled, as if someone had turned the volume down inside her skull. The room seemed to tilt and then tilted as the girl leaned in.

A thin piece of tissue paper separated their mouths-laughably flimsy, a childish rule in a drunken game-but it didn't soften the blow. Liam didn't pull away or hesitate. His lips met hers easily, as if Layla didn't exist while his hand slid to the girl's waist.

Layla stopped completely.Eighteen years old-and this was how it began.

Her chest hollowed, breath catching painfully as humiliation washed over her in a hot, dizzying wave. She wanted to scream, to run or to disappear into the noise and lights and never be seen again.

Chloe reached her side, breathless, then followed Layla's frozen stare. The color drained from her face.

"Oh my God," Chloe whispered. "Layla...