Submitting to my Ex Uncle-Chapter 208

Amara’s heart jumped into her stomach when her phone screen lit up, and she saw Elias name on the screen.

She didn’t pick up.

Her hand hovered above the device until the ringing ended. The next thing that followed was a soft vibration against her palm. It was a text from him.

"You changed your door lock." The text read. He had sent so many others that she had just ignored for days.

A dull ache began to form behind her temples. She exhaled deeply, and air caught in her throat halfway out. For a long second, she just sat there on her bed motionless, staring at the words on her screen as if they’d rearrange into something less accusing.

Then she pushed her laptop aside, stood up, and forced her legs to move.

By the time she got downstairs, her hands were trembling.

The house was dim. She reluctantly switched on her lights. Her pulse pounded against her chest.

Standing in the living room, she drew in a deep breath before unlocking the door. The metallic click sounded louder than it should have.

The moment the door swung open, she found him standing there.

Elias.

His dark eyes swept over her like he was memorizing her all over again. That same quiet intensity she once thought was love now made her skin crawl.

He took a step forward, but stopped when she instinctively took one back.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. The silence stretched thin between them, filled only by the uneven rhythm of her heartbeat.

Then he smiled. His smile was faint, and apologetic. "You changed the lock."

Amara swallowed. "I had to."

He looked at her again, with softness flickering across his expression. "Can I come in?"

She should’ve said no. Every nerve in her body screamed at her to close the door. But instead, she stepped aside. Slowly. Hesitantly.

Elias brushed past her. His familiar cologne flooded the space, sharp cedarwood and something darker beneath it. Her lungs stilled for a second.

When he turned back to her, his eyes softened. Without asking, he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her.

Amara froze.

Her body stiffened against his warmth. Her fingers curled uselessly against his chest. He held her tighter, murmuring her name like a prayer, and she hated that her heart still reacted. She hated that some forgotten part of her still remembered what his heartbeat felt like against her ear.

Reluctantly, she let her arms lift. Barely. She gave him a ghost of an embrace. Just enough to make it believable.

When he finally pulled back, he studied her face closely. "You’ve lost weight," he said, voice dropping low. "Have you been eating?"

Her stomach twisted.

He was close enough now that she could see the faint scar under his chin — the one she used to trace with her thumb absentmindedly. She looked away, brushing a hand through her hair.

"I’ve been fine."

He frowned. "You don’t look fine."

Amara didn’t answer.

Elias sighed, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. "Is this still about the gun?"

Her gaze flicked to him sharply, then away again.

He took her silence as confirmation. "I shouldn’t have brought it here. I wasn’t thinking. I just— It was nothing. I swear that’s all it was."

She said nothing. Her throat felt tight.

"Amara," he tried again, voice softening. "I’m sorry. You know me. I’d never hurt you."

Her lips pressed together. She turned from him, walking toward the kitchen.

Elias followed. His steps were hesitant at first, then firmer. He stopped at the doorway, watching as she rolled up her sleeves and began stacking dishes into the sink.

The smell of detergent and leftover food filled the air.

She hadn’t done the dishes in hours. Maybe all day, but suddenly she couldn’t stand the sight of them. It gave her something to focus on, something that wasn’t his eyes watching her every movement.

The sound of plates clinking filled the silence between them.

"You don’t have to do that right now," Elias said softly, walking closer. He desperately needed to hold her.

The amount of blood he had dealt with these past few days got his demons inside at edge. He needs her.

"I want to."

"Amara—"

She didn’t turn. "What?" she snapped.

There was a pause between them.

Then she felt his hand on her arm. His touch was light, and cautious at first. His fingers brushed her skin, and before she could react, he spun her around.

Her breath caught.

Elias’s face was inches from hers, with his gaze unreadable. Then he leaned in and kissed her.

The moment his lips touched hers, Amara’s mind went blank. Not with warmth, but with shock. Her entire body recoiled.

She pushed him away, stumbling back against the counter. "Stop."

He stared at her, confusion flashing across his face. "What’s wrong?"

But she couldn’t answer, the bile was already rising in her throat. She turned sharply toward the sink. She gripped its edges before she bent over and threw up.

The sound filled the kitchen. Her body shook as she tried to steady herself.

"Amara," Elias’s voice came closer. He sounded alarmed. "What’s wrong? What happened?"

Her head felt light. The metallic taste of nausea clung to her tongue. She forced herself to breathe, one trembling exhale after another.

She never prepared herself for a kiss from this traitor, liar, and manipulator. Even her body couldn’t stand him.

When she finally turned back to him, her fingers clung to the sink for balance. Her face was pale, with her eyes red. But her voice stayed steady when she made up an excuse.

"I’ve been unwell," she whispered. "For days now."

Elias froze. His eyes softened with worry. "Why didn’t you tell me?" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Because you don’t deserve to know.

Because you’re not who I thought you were.

Because everything about you is a lie.

She wanted to scream those words, but didn’t say any of that.

Instead, she offered a weak, practiced smile. The smile didn’t reach her eyes. "I didn’t think it was serious."

Elias stepped forward again, careful this time. "Sit down," he murmured. "You’re shaking."

Amara didn’t move. She stayed there, gripping the sink like it was the only thing keeping her upright. Her gaze drifted to the window behind him. Her silly mind planned an escape.

For a second, she saw the life she used to have with him. She saw her simple, trusting, and naive self. Then she blinked, and it was gone.

She felt Elias’s hand brush her arm again.

"Hey," he said quietly. "You don’t have to act strong all the time."

Amara let out a short laugh. "I’m fine," she said again, her voice too calm for someone who had just thrown up. "I just need to rest."

He studied her, searching for something in her expression. "Amara..."

She turned away before he could finish. "It’s late, Elias. You should go."

The way she said his name made his jaw tighten. She sounded distant.

He looked at her one last time, then nodded slowly. "I’ll call you tomorrow."

She didn’t answer.

When he reached the kitchen door, he paused.

Amara clenched her fist together, to keep herself from trembling. Then, something clinged to her memory.

"Elias, wait,"

He took his hand off the door knob immediately. Hope flashed through his eyes.

She raised her face, and met his eyes. "Take me to your house, Elias. I want to see where you stay."