The night had swallowed the city in an eerie silence. Behind a desk buried under stacks of files and the glow of her laptop, Lena sat hunched over. Her eyes scanned rows of numbers in the audit report-fatigue etched clearly on her face, yet determination kept her going.

She glanced at the wall clock. 10:47 p.m.

Almost eleven, but not a single call from the manager who usually summoned her to entertain their notoriously arrogant regular guest.

Tonight, her phone remained silent. No notifications. No messages. Nothing.

Lena bit her lower lip, then reached for the landline.

"Reception?" Her voice was soft, polite.

"Yes, Miss?"

"Did Mr. Neil come in tonight? With his assistant?" she asked, walking toward the large window, staring out at the pitch-dark city.

"Yes, ma'am. He booked the VIP room around nine-thirty, as usual."

"Oh... thank you for the information."

She hung up and drew in a deep breath. Strange. Usually, he would call her in without fail. Why not tonight?

Was he with someone else-other than his assistant?

The thought crept in uninvited, stabbing her mind like shards of glass. Lena quickly shook her head. Forcing herself back into her chair, she pushed the distraction aside and focused on finishing her work.

12:03 a.m.

The files were neatly stacked, her laptop tucked into her bag. She headed down to the basement to fetch her car. Tonight, she was driving herself-Suzy had chosen to stay behind, saying she wanted "a quiet night, away from everyone."

The silver sedan rolled slowly through the empty city streets. Streetlights glowed faintly, the sky above black and starless. Halfway through, the engine suddenly sputtered, coughed-and died completely.

"Oh, come on... not now," Lena muttered in frustration. She twisted the key again and again, to no avail.

Stepping out, she lifted the hood and stared blankly inside-though she barely understood what she was looking at. A mess of wires, a puff of steam, the stench of oil. She frowned.

"Seriously... why tonight of all nights?" she whispered at the aging car her parents had left her.

Around her, there was nothing but trees and a deserted road. No passing cars. No voices. Only the rustle of wind through the leaves and a distant howl of dogs.

A shiver ran down her spine-not from the cold, but from unease creeping in.

Then-a beam of light appeared in the distance. Headlights. A car approached, cutting through the darkness, its beams locking onto Lena and her stranded vehicle. Instinctively, she stepped into the road, raising her hands.

The car slowed and stopped right in front of her. Its black body gleamed under the moonlight. A BMW. Lena recognized it instantly.

The driver's door opened, revealing a tall figure in a black suit. His gaze was sharp, carrying a flicker of surprise.

Lena's eyes widened.

"Neil?" she breathed, stunned.

The night air slid cold against her body, seeping beneath the long bodycon dress hugging her curves. She stood frozen near her broken-down car as Niel, tall and composed as ever, faced her with piercing eyes.

For a moment, the only sound was the whisper of leaves and the wind between them.

Neil's gaze shifted to her car. The hood still gaped open, faint steam curling out.

"My car broke down," Lena said finally, forcing her voice to sound calm though her body trembled.

Without a word, Neil strode over to the engine, hands moving swiftly as he checked wires, pressed here and there, then exhaled heavily.

"It needs a workshop," he said flatly.

Lena stepped closer. "But... it's midnight. No workshop is open now."

Neil shut the hood with a quiet thud and turned his gaze on her.

"Then... I can take you home."

Her brows lifted, relief flickering. "Really? Then... thank you."

Neil said nothing. He simply walked back to his BMW. Lena followed and slipped into the passenger seat. The interior was warm, comforting, filled with the faint scent of cinnamon. Yet tonight, the air felt heavier-charged with something unspoken.

Neil gripped the steering wheel, but didn't start the engine. Lena glanced sideways.

"Are we... waiting for something?" she asked, half joking, half nervous.

Neil's lips curled into a faint smile-thin, sly, unreadable. "I'm afraid, Miss Selena," he murmured. "This isn't free."

Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"You'll have to pay me," he said, eyes cutting through her like blades. "But in a way that satisfies me."

Lena's heart pounded. She straightened, trying to decipher the tone behind his words. "Mr. Neil... what are you talking abou-"

Before she could finish, Neil moved. His hand gripped the back of her neck, yanking her close-his lips crashed onto hers.

The kiss wasn't a greeting. Not affection. It was a claim. Demanding. Forceful.

Lena froze, body stiff for a few seconds, before her palms shoved hard against his chest.

"Neil!" she gasped. "What the hell are you doing?!"

Neil stared back-sharp, calm, unflinching. "Making you understand."

Her body trembled. "Do you think I'm the kind of woman you can just treat like that-"

"You're not just any woman," Neil cut in, his voice like a blade. "That's exactly what makes you dangerous. And I'm curious to taste it."

Smack!

A hard slap landed on Niel's cheek. The man froze for a moment, feeling the sting from the woman he had just forced to kiss. Niel held his cheek, wincing briefly, then suddenly grabbed Lena's body and pressed his lips against hers once again.

Lena struggled, her hands pushing against his chest, but the man only tightened his hold. The kiss broke for just a second-long enough to take a breath-before Niel continued with even greater fervor.

"Hmpf..."

Lena tried to press her lips tightly shut, refusing to let Niel deepen the kiss. But unexpectedly, his lips trailed lower, exploring every inch of her neck.

"Stop!" Lena snapped. "Or I'll scream!" She was bold enough now to threaten him.

"Go ahead, scream," Niel challenged. "People will find us, and we'll go viral for doing something indecent. Is that what you want? Besides, this place is deserted... it's only the two of us here."

His hand began wandering over her body, slipping into the slit of her dress, caressing her smooth thigh. Lena tried to swat his hand away, but he ignored her, continuing with touches that could tempt anyone.

"Don't..." Lena shook her head when she felt his hand against her.

"You're already wet, sweetheart..." he whispered seductively. "Just enjoy it..."

Lena shook her head again. She knew her body would soon betray her, but she didn't want to be treated this way.

"Ah..." she moaned when Niel stroked her sensitive spot over the fabric, while his lips marked her pale neck, sending her blood racing. But she did not want any of this.

Unknowingly, tears began to stream down her cheeks. Niel froze when he heard her sob. He pulled back slightly, staring at her tear-streaked face. Regret suddenly stabbed at him for forcing himself on her just to sate his desire.

Niel cupped her cheek, wiping her tears away. "I'm sorry..." he said softly.

Her sobs were the only answer. Niel then placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and embraced her tenderly.

"I'm sorry..."

---

Lena sat on a chair before her vanity, staring at her own reflection.

Her face... was horrendous.

Dark blotches resembling acne scars, uneven contour lines drawn on purpose, lipstick smeared past the edges of her lips. Every morning she spent over thirty minutes ensuring her face looked repulsive enough that even Axcel wouldn't spare her a glance. That was the point.

But...

"Why am I doing this? How stupid," she muttered bitterly.

She sighed, lowering her head slightly, fingers tapping against the vanity.

"How did I end up trapped in this damned marriage?" her voice rose. "Forced to marry an arrogant stranger for the sake of family... and worse, dealing with his absurd, mysterious uncle who-"

She stopped.

"-whose kiss..."

Her fists clenched at her sides. The face in the mirror glared back at her, filled with anger and shame.

"Oh God! Why am I thinking about that kiss?" she growled at her reflection. "He attacked me last night! And now my mind recalls how it felt? I'm losing my mind!"

Lena stood and began pacing the room like a caged tiger.

"And now where is he? He said he wouldn't be home today. It's almost midnight! Why isn't he back yet?"

Her thoughts began to wander.

"Did he go to Selena's Dream?" she whispered. "With who? So fast... already looking for someone else?"

She hugged herself, biting her lip.

"Damn it, Lena! Why are you even thinking about him? Aren't you supposed to hate him?"

Knock knock.

A soft knock startled her.

Her eyes widened.

Knock knock.

She instantly tensed, her heart pounding.

"Who would knock at this hour?" she thought in panic.

Thank God her ugly makeup was still on. She walked slowly to the door.

"Who is it?" Lena asked cautiously.

No answer.

Knock knock.

With trembling hands, she turned the knob and opened the door slightly-

Only for a body to collapse into her arms.

"Uncle?!" she cried in shock.

Niel.

His body was weak, his breath ragged.

Lena nearly fell as she tried to support his weight.

"Uncle?! Oh my God, what happened to you?!"

Then she saw it-

Blood.

Seeping from his chest, staining his white shirt crimson.

"Oh God! You're bleeding!" she screamed. "What is this?! A gunshot wound?! Uncle, what happened to you? Who did this?!" she asked frantically.

Niel groaned, his face contorted with pain. "Could you... close the door first? I don't want anyone seeing me like this..."

Lena quickly nodded. She helped him up the stairs to her room on the second floor. His breathing was labored, his steps faltering, but he managed to walk with her support. With great effort, Lena laid him down on her bed, then rushed to lock the door.

Once secured, her gaze fell on his bloodied body.

"The wound... oh God... I have to clean it first," Lena muttered anxiously. She darted into the bathroom and returned with a basin of warm water and a small towel.

Setting the basin on the bedside table, she looked at Niel, who was still breathing shallowly.

"Let me... help take off your shirt," she said hesitantly.

Niel only gave a faint nod.

Her hands trembled as she touched the blood-soaked collar. She unbuttoned it slowly, and when it came free, she gasped at the gash on his upper abdomen. Blood still seeped from it.

"This is bad..." she whispered, pressing the soft towel against the wound.

"Uncle... what happened? Why are you hurt like this?" she asked, unable to hide her worry.

Niel managed a faint smile through the pain. "Why? Do you care?"

Lena scoffed lightly, her eyes never leaving the wound. "Of course I care. You're my husband's uncle. You're family, aren't you?"

Niel studied her face in silence.

"Is that the only reason?"

Lena paused. "Uncle... of course that's the reason."

She lowered her gaze, trying to mask her discomfort while continuing to clean the blood away.

"Lena..."

"Yes?" her voice was soft, hesitant.

"Why are you... so beautiful?"

Lena blinked, then glared at him. "Uncle-what do you mean? Even my own husband thinks I'm disgusting."

Niel let out a weak laugh, wincing from the pain. "To me... you're beautiful."

Lena fell silent. Her heart pounded hard. Why was he saying this? And why did it sound so sincere?

Their eyes met.

Time seemed to slow.

Niel's face leaned closer. Lena didn't move.

"Don't, Uncle. This is wrong..." she whispered nervously.

"Why?" his voice was deep, gentle.

"Because... I'm your nephew's wife."

But Niel didn't stop. He pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was tender, yet searing. Lena's eyes widened, her hands instinctively pushing against his chest until the kiss broke. Niel groaned in pain.

"I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to hurt your wound..."

Lena panicked, wanting to check his injury again, but before she could, Niel pulled her down onto the bed, his body now above hers.

"Uncle! Please-don't!" she pleaded, her voice trembling.

"I can't..." he murmured, gazing deep into her eyes.

Before Lena could speak again, his lips captured hers once more. This time deeper, filled with desire. His gentle touch ignited something within her-something she hadn't felt in a long time.

Lena's eyes fluttered. Oh God... what's happening? Why can't my body resist?

At last, the kiss broke. Both were panting, their eyes locked in a silence that spoke volumes.

Reality hit Lena hard.

"I-I have to change the water," she stammered, quickly grabbing the basin.

She ran into the bathroom and shut the door tight. In front of the mirror, she stared at her reflection. Her eyes were wide, her cheeks flushed, her lips still trembling.

"What just happened...?" she whispered.

Meanwhile, Niel lay weak on the bed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Despite the pain racking his body, a warmth spread through his chest. He stared at the ceiling and whispered softly...

"Lena..."

The woman who owned a nightlife business.

The woman who was his nephew's wife.

The woman who... had secretly stolen his heart.

The hospital waiting room was eerily quiet. Only the occasional squeak of wheelchair wheels or the hurried footsteps of nurses echoed through the corridor. In the corner, Lena sat alone, clutching a small bag on her lap.

Her appearance today was far from her usual self. No oversized dresses, no strange makeup disguising her natural beauty.

Today, she was Selena - the dazzling, graceful, and... captivating version of herself.

The knee-length black dress hugged her curves perfectly. Her long hair cascaded neatly over her shoulders, her lips were painted a tempting shade of maroon, and her gaze... was empty.

Her thoughts drifted back to the previous night.

Niel. That man had suddenly knocked on her bedroom door, covered in blood. The wound on his abdomen had been severe, and Lena could still vividly recall how her hands trembled as she helped him inside.

And this morning...

He was gone. When Lena woke up, there was no trace of him. No blood, no evidence that someone had nearly collapsed in her room the night before. As if it had all been a dream.

But it wasn't a dream-because when she had breakfast with Axel and her in-laws, he appeared.

Niel walked into the family dining room, calm and pristine as always, as if he hadn't been on the brink of death the night before. As if the wound on his abdomen had never existed. Stranger still, no one seemed suspicious.

"What's really going on with that man?" Lena muttered under her breath.

"Thinking about me while waiting? Being the center of Selena's attention isn't so bad," a low voice whispered in her ear, followed by a hand covering her eyes from behind.

Instinctively, Lena grabbed the wrist and shoved it away, spinning around in shock.

"Niel?" she hissed.

The man stood there casually, dressed in a charcoal-gray suit over a black shirt. No wounds, no trace of pain. His gaze was cold, unreadable.

One hand slid into his pocket. "Sharp reflexes. Been practicing martial arts all night?"

Lena stood, masking her unease with a stiff smile.

"Mr. Niel... w-what are you doing here?"

Careful, Lena. Don't slip. Right now, you are Selena, not Lena.

And Niel must never know you are his nephew's wife.

"Just getting an old wound checked," Niel answered casually.

"A wound?" Lena immediately regretted her question. "I mean... are you unwell?"

Niel's brow lifted, his lips curving faintly. "I didn't expect someone as graceful and beautiful as Miss Selena to be concerned about me."

Lena quickly averted her gaze. "That's not it... I was only being polite."

"Polite... but sweet," Niel murmured, leaning in slightly, his eyes studying her tense expression. "Selena... were you really thinking about me?"

Before Lena could respond, a cheerful voice echoed down the hall.

"Selena! You came earlier than I thought!"

Lena turned. A silver-haired woman with a wide smile approached. Her grandmother. Mrs Vero.

"Ah... Grandma," Lena replied, a little uneasy. Her grandmother often mistook her for Selena-her late twin. For the first time, Lena felt relieved by that misunderstanding.

"Oh no, Grandma... I just got here," Lena answered quickly, masking her relief with a flat tone.

Vero's gaze shifted to Niel, her eyes sparkling with interest. "My goodness... who is this handsome man? Your husband?"

Lena froze. "He's actually-"

"Yes, I'm her husband."

Niel's voice cut in smoothly, his arm sliding around Lena's waist, pulling her closer with a natural ease.

Lena's eyes widened. "Niel!" she hissed under her breath.

But Niel only smiled warmly at Mrs Vero.

"Oh really?" Vero chuckled. "Forgive me for not making it to your wedding. I'm too old to keep up with all the young folks' affairs, let alone weddings."

"My name is Niel," he said politely, releasing Lena to extend his hand.

Mrs. Vero took it with a light laugh. "So nice to meet you, Niel. You're certainly dashing."

"And you are remarkably energetic," Niel replied with charm.

"What a coincidence! Tonight I was planning to cook something special. Would you two come over? It's been so long since I cooked for Selena."

Lena quickly interjected. "Grandma, I think we-"

"Of course we'll come," Niel interrupted again, his tone casual yet firm, as if the decision were final. "I'd love to know more about my wife's past. And tasting Mrs Vero's cooking sounds delightful."

Lena stared at him in disbelief. "You... can't be serious."

Niel simply flashed a sly smile. "You wouldn't want to disappoint your grandmother, would you, darling?"

Lena nearly choked at the endearment.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Vero clapped her hands happily and patted Niel's arm. "You'll love my cooking. I'll do my very best tonight!"

Lena could only stand frozen, her eyes fixed on Niel, full of unanswered questions.

What game was this man playing? Why pretend to be her husband?

Did he know who she really was?

Or... was this all just a crazy coincidence?

Their eyes met. Niel's smile remained calm. But beneath it, Lena could feel-this man was hiding something.

And whatever it was... it was far from simple.

"The game has only just begun, Selena.

Or... should I call you Lena?" Niel thought to himself.