Banished and Bitter: I Married My Ex's Uncle Chapter 2

My silence only fueled Ethan’s anger.

“Amelia, didn’t you hear me?” His voice rose, sharp and loud, drawing curious glances from passersby.

I rolled my eyes internally. I hated people who made scenes in public. Zero class.

Taking a deep breath, I forced down my rising irritation and spoke coldly, “Ethan, have you had enough? This is an airport, not your personal stage to throw a tantrum.”

He acted like he hadn’t heard me. He stepped directly in front of me again, blocking my path.

“Getting bold, huh? Talking back to me now? Get in the car. We’re going home, and I’m going to teach you some damn manners!”

He reached out to grab my arm.

I frowned, stepping back sharply. Before I could say anything else, Sarah Miller slid out of the passenger seat.

She put on her concerned face, her voice soft and gentle.

“Amelia, Ethan’s just worried about you. He came all this way to pick you up. It’s not safe for a woman to be out here all alone.”

So sweet, so caring. As if she wasn’t the one who whispered in Ethan’s ear three years ago, suggesting he throw me to the wolves overseas.

I shot her a freezing glance, then turned back to Ethan, deciding to cut through the crap.

“Forget it, Ethan. I’m not going anywhere with you. I’m here to see my husband’s family.”

Hearing the word “husband,” both Ethan and Sarah froze, their faces masks of stunned disbelief.

Ethan gaped for a second, then burst out laughing as if I’d told the world’s funniest joke.

“Husband? Amelia, you’re really something else. Still spinning tales? What husband?” He leaned in, his voice dripping with contempt. “You think anyone would actually marry you now? After what happened over there? The videos of you getting grabbed by those thugs are all over the internet back home. You think anyone decent would want you after that? Only I’m willing to overlook it, take you back, because of our history.”

He gestured dismissively. “Seriously, if you’re going to lie, at least make it believable. Who else would possibly want you now?”

Sarah chimed in smoothly, “He’s right, Amelia. Those videos… everyone’s seen them.”

My chest tightened painfully. That first year overseas… snatched off the street by local militants during the riots. They heard I had a rich American boyfriend back home. They made those horrifying videos, sent them to Ethan, demanding a massive ransom. They threatened to sell me to… well, to the kind of places you don’t come back from.

Being held captive… every second in that damp, cramped cellar was pure agony. I clung pathetically to the fantasy of Ethan, my powerful boyfriend, riding in like a white knight to save me.

The reality? He ignored every desperate plea. Blocked me completely. If Caleb hadn’t stumbled upon me during one of his covert ops, rescuing me when he had no obligation to… I would have been lost, swallowed by that darkness forever.

And now Ethan, even more shameless and cruel than I could have imagined, was not only broadcasting my trauma but throwing those videos in my face, using them as weapons.

My face hardened instantly.

“My private life is none of my ex-boyfriend’s concern,” I said, my voice clipped and cold. “My husband might get jealous.”

Ethan didn’t back down; instead, he laughed even louder, more mockingly.

“Husband? Still on that? Stop dreaming, Amelia. Are you starting to believe your own lies? What damn husband?”

Sarah was right there, fanning the flames.

“Amelia, just stop pretending. Ethan came all this way personally to get you. What more could you possibly want?”

I’d been on a plane for over fifteen hours. Jet lag was hitting hard. And dealing with their relentless harassment… my patience snapped.

I abruptly raised my left hand, letting the diamond on my ring finger catch the bright airport lights.

“Open your damn eyes and look closely,” I stated, my voice flat but firm. “I. Am. Married.”