Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle"

"Selina, you shameless flirt and two-timing tramp! Our Carter Family will never let a woman like you step through our doors!"

A stack of photos, accompanied by these scathing words, was hurled straight at Selina Clark's head. She lifted her gaze to meet the shocked and disdainful eyes of the gathered guests below.

Ryan Carter's mother, Jillian Butler, stood with a face twisted in fury, her finger nearly jabbing Selina's face as she continued her tirade. Meanwhile, her fiancé stood coldly to the side, as though oblivious to her humiliation.

A sharp corner of one photo had cut Selina's forehead, and a drop of blood trickled down. She wiped it away with her hand, her lowered lashes briefly revealing a flicker of icy resolve.

This was supposed to be her wedding day with Ryan, but before the ceremony could even begin, a stranger burst onto the scene, loudly proclaiming himself to be her boyfriend and holding an intimate photo of the two of them in bed as evidence.

The sudden scandal caused an uproar in the banquet hall. No one could have imagined that the eldest daughter of the Clark Family would have another boyfriend on the side! Though such behavior wasn't unheard of in elite circles, being exposed so publicly and on her wedding day was a first for Miss Clark.

Selina turned a cold gaze toward the man still running his mouth. He faltered under her glare but quickly regained his courage, emboldened by the money he'd been paid. He looked at her with exaggerated earnestness.

"Selina, we're the ones truly in love. Don't marry him, please?"

Selina's expression grew even colder at his nauseating declaration. "Shut up!" she snapped.

The man adopted a wounded look. "Selina, have you really fallen for him? Didn't you say it was just an act with him?"

Ryan's face twisted with disgust. "Selina, you already have a lover, yet you still want to go through with our engagement? Are you planning to make me your fallback option?"

Jillian exploded at her son's words. "Break it off! This marriage must be called off! We won't marry a daughter-in-law who's tangled up with another man!"

Selina's father, James Clark, looked livid. He raised his hand as if to slap her, but Selina dodged him.

"You ungrateful girl! How dare you dodge?! How could my Clark Family produce such a disgraceful daughter!"

Selina smirked mockingly at the man who always assumed she was in the wrong. "What a touching speech, Mr. Clark. I wonder how your precious little daughter will feel about it."

Her mother had been dead less than six months before Katie Bryant and her daughter moved in like they owned the place, while she was banished to the countryside to fend for herself. And yet this man had the audacity to accuse her of tarnishing the family name?

Beside James, Natalia Clark's expression flickered briefly before softening. "Dad, don't say that. There must be some kind of misunderstanding. I believe my sister isn't that kind of person."

James snorted coldly. "Natalia, you're too kindhearted! How can you defend this disgrace? She's humiliated me completely!"

Selina let out a cold laugh. "Oh, drop the act, Natalia. Aren't you tired of pretending to be so virtuous all the time?"

Natalia looked aggrieved, and Ryan, noticing her distress, immediately stepped forward to shield her, glaring at Selina. "Selina, you cheat on me and still have the nerve to lash out? You're just bitter because you can't stand seeing Natalia outshine you!"

Selina's heart turned to ice. This was her fiancé—the man who stood by coldly while she was slandered, yet rushed to defend Natalia at the slightest hint of a slight.

"Ryan," she said evenly, "I'll ask you just one question. Do you believe me?"

Ryan's handsome face was full of disdain. "Believe you? That man knew about the mole on your waist. How do you expect me to believe nothing happened between you two?"

Upon hearing those words, Selina let out a bitter laugh, a sharp, suffocating ache spreading through her chest. Her hand moved to her heart, brushing against the lace covering a twisted, jagged scar—a scar left behind when she had saved Ryan's life.

Ryan had once vowed he would marry no one but her, and she had foolishly believed his lies. She had devoted herself to him, tirelessly managing his company, investing both her money and effort. And yet, this was her reward: having her engagement nullified.

James stepped forward, attempting to smooth things over. "Ryan, this is indeed the fault of our Clark Family. However, a union between our families is a significant matter and should not be so easily dismissed. Why not substitute Selina with Natalia as the bride? Let her marry into the Carter Family instead."

Ryan, who had long been secretly involved with Natalia, was naturally thrilled at the proposal. Jillian, too, beamed as she took Natalia's hand. "Oh, Natalia is so gentle and understanding. I've always wished for her to be my daughter-in-law."

As Selina watched this harmonious scene unfold before her, a chill flashed in her eyes. They were willing to switch the bride so brazenly—there was no doubt in her mind that today's drama had been orchestrated by them. She cursed herself for not seeing through the hypocrisy and ugliness hidden beneath Ryan's polished exterior.

Straightening her spine, she looked at Ryan with icy determination. If they thought they could trample on her reputation to legitimize his relationship with Natalia, they were dreaming.

"Ryan," she said coolly, "I must have been blind before. I'll end this engagement, but make no mistake—I am the one rejecting you, the two-timing, faithless man!"

She threw Jillian's earlier insult right back at them, word for word.

"You used my money to start your company, only to kick me out without hesitation. And now you want to break our engagement, disregarding the life I saved? Ryan, you're utterly rotten. I suppose only Natalia could stomach garbage like you."

"You—" Ryan sputtered, but before he could retort, Jillian, incensed by Selina's words, stormed toward her in fury. However, her high heel twisted mid-step, sending her tumbling to the ground. She hit the floor hard and fainted on the spot.

Selina couldn't help but laugh, her laughter earning a venomous glare from Ryan. However, he had no time to confront her, as he was preoccupied rushing Jillian to the hospital. The rest of the Clark Family naturally followed in his wake.

As Natalia passed Selina, she paused briefly, a smirk curling at the corners of her lips. In a low voice, she murmured, "Sister, now that you've lost your engagement to Ryan, your mother's inheritance will go to me. I'll thank you in advance."

Once Natalia had left, Selina's expression darkened into a frost-bitten glare.

Her mother's will had indeed stipulated that she could only inherit the estate if she married into the Carter Family. But marrying into the Carter Family didn't necessarily mean marrying Ryan.

Selina's gaze settled on a tall, striking man not far away. She recognized him from a previous visit to the Carter Family estate. She had heard Ryan address him with deference as "Uncle."

He was clearly a member of the Main Carter Family—young, powerful, and most importantly, single.

Sensing her gaze, the man lifted his eyes and looked at her. His deep, impassive gaze held a hint of aloofness.

Selina froze momentarily under his scrutiny but quickly recovered, a bright smile gracing her lips. Lifting her skirt slightly, she walked straight toward him.

Logan Reid leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes growing darker as he watched the woman approach him step by step.

When Selina reached him, she stopped, extending her hand with a radiant smile. "Hello, may I introduce myself? I'm Selina Clark."

Logan regarded her steadily for a moment before leisurely extending his hand. "Miss Clark, a pleasure to meet you."

Selina's eyes fell to his hand—elegant and refined, his touch light and fleeting, perfectly measured. Her impression of him improved further.

Without wasting time, she met his gaze and asked directly, "Sir, would you like to get married?"