Your Uncle’s My Husband Now Back Off, Ex! novel Chapter 4

**Through Unseen Doors We Step Into Untold Worlds Beyond**
by Sage Hunter Lane

Marie felt a growing tension in her temples as she observed Damon’s casual demeanor. His indifference seemed to amplify her own discomfort, leading to a throbbing headache that refused to relent.

She took a deep breath, mentally shaking off the irritation, and redirected her focus to Clark and Nyla, who sat across the room. “So, you two have been married for three years now. When are we expecting to hear the pitter-patter of little feet? I’m quite eager to meet my great-grandchildren,” she said, her voice laced with a forced cheerfulness.

As soon as the words left her mouth, the atmosphere in the living room shifted dramatically. An invisible weight descended, thickening the air around them. Nyla’s fingers tightened around her teacup, her knuckles paling as she fought against the sudden wave of anxiety that washed over her.

This particular subject was akin to a raw nerve for Nyla, a tender spot that throbbed with pain every time it was brought up.

Clark’s Aunt Anne, ever the opportunist, seized the moment with a predatory glint in her eye. She leaned forward, her lips curling into a sneer that seemed to echo her disdain. “Nyla, darling, three years of marriage without a child? Just think of how that would reflect on our esteemed Summer family. What will people say?”

She paused, allowing her words to hang in the air, dripping with malice. “And let’s be honest, if Clark hadn’t been so insistent on marrying you, do you really think you’d have had a chance to join our family? With your background, it’s quite a stretch. You should be grateful. You may not want children for Clark, but I assure you there are many women who would jump at the chance.”

Her voice dripped with feigned concern, yet her eyes betrayed her true feelings—contempt and superiority.

Nyla’s heart constricted painfully at the mention of children. Of course, she longed for a baby. She had sacrificed a promising career in scientific research, hoping to be the perfect wife. Yet, her body had betrayed her, refusing to cooperate.

She had consulted several doctors in secret, all of whom assured her that physically, she was perfectly healthy. Perhaps it was stress, they suggested. But the constant jabs from the Summer family, labeling her barren and worthless, echoed in her mind like a haunting refrain.

Just as despair began to engulf her, Clark reached for her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. He turned to his grandmother, a warm smile on his face that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Grandma, we’re trying our best! These things take time. We must allow nature to work its magic.”

His tone shifted as he faced Anne, the warmth in his expression replaced by a steely resolve. “Anne, I suggest you watch your words. Nyla is my wife, and I will not stand by while anyone speaks to her in such a manner.”

Anne’s face flushed crimson, the public reprimand clearly striking a nerve. “I’m only looking out for your best interests. It’s been so long without any progress…” she began, but Clark cut her off sharply.

“Enough,” he asserted, his voice leaving no room for argument. “You don’t need to concern yourself with Nyla and me. Let me make it clear: I am proud to have Nyla as my wife. She didn’t marry into this family; she is my partner.”

Nyla felt a surge of conflicting emotions wash over her as she absorbed Clark’s words. The love they had nurtured over the years was palpable, a bond that had weathered many storms. His fierce protection felt genuine, a shield against the barbs of his family’s criticism.

Yet, the shadows of betrayal loomed large. The incriminating photos, the necklace carelessly discarded in the trash, the taunting messages from another woman—they all served as constant reminders that this man had shattered her trust.

Anne, refusing to let the matter rest, persisted with a saccharine tone. “I’m merely stating facts. No pregnancy in three years? Perhaps there’s something amiss with her health. With all the advancements in medicine today, it would be wise for her to seek further evaluation. There are treatments available.”

“Anne!” Clark’s voice turned icy, a warning echoing in the air. “This is the final time I will tell you. The matter of when or if we have children is solely between Nyla and me. It is not your place to interfere.”

In earlier times, Nyla would have felt a swell of gratitude for Clark’s defense, interpreting it as a testament to his love for her. But today, those words felt like an empty promise, devoid of the warmth they once held.

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