Seducing My Boyfriend's Uncle

Catalina's POV I planned to surprise my boyfriend with dinner. “Dominic?” I called as I stepped inside his condominium, carrying a small cake and a paper bag containing his favorite food. “Baby, are you here?” No answer. I frowned. Dominic had told me he would be home tonight. In fact, he had specifically asked me not to make plans because he wanted to spend time with me. I smiled to myself. Maybe he was in the bedroom. I walked down the hallway, my heels clicking against the marble floor. But before I could reach the bedroom door, I heard a woman's laughter. My smile disappeared. “Dominic, stop!” the woman giggled. Then came his voice. “Why? You're the one who came here begging for my attention.” I froze. I knew that voice better than anyone. It was the same voice that whispered sweet promises into my ear, the same voice that told me I was the only woman he wanted. My fingers tightened around the paper bag. No. It couldn't be. I pushed the bedroom door open. And my entire world shattered. Dominic was in bed with another woman. For a moment, nobody moved. The woman beside him immediately grabbed the blanket to cover herself, while Dominic's expression changed from surprise to irritation. “Catalina?” I stared at him, unable to believe what I was seeing. “What's going on?” I whispered. Dominic sat up and ran a hand through his messy hair. He didn't look ashamed. He didn't even look particularly sorry. “Why are you here?” he asked, still surprised. The question struck me harder than a slap. “Why am I here?” I repeated, my voice trembling. “I'm your girlfriend, Dominic! You told me you wanted to spend tonight with me!” The woman rolled her eyes. “Babe, you said you were single.” I slowly turned toward her. “Babe?” Dominic shot her an annoyed look. “Shut up.” But the damage was done. I felt something break inside my chest. “How long?” I asked. Dominic sighed as though I were inconveniencing him. “Don't make a scene.” “How long have you been sleeping with her?!” “Catalina, we're not married. You don't own me.” I stared at him. Two years. Two years of loving him, supporting him, and defending him whenever people whispered that he was nothing but a spoiled rich boy who depended on his family name. I had believed in him even when he had nothing to offer except promises. And this was how he repaid me? “You told me I was the only one.” “People say things when they're in love.” “Were you ever in love with me?” For the first time, Dominic hesitated. That tiny pause was enough. I placed the food and cake on the nearest table. My hands were shaking, but I refused to let him see me cry. “Get dressed,” I told him. He raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?” “Both of you. Get dressed. I don't want to see either of you when I leave this room.” Dominic laughed. Actually laughed. “You're being dramatic. This is exactly why I can't deal with you sometimes. Everything has to be emotional.” My eyes burned. “I'm emotional because I caught you cheating?!” “You're emotional because you think being my girlfriend gives you the right to control my life.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Then we're done.” His expression hardened. “Fine.” I had expected him to apologize. To stop me. To say something that would prove our relationship had meant something to him. Instead, he reached for his phone. “Don't come crying to me when you realize nobody else will put up with you.” I turned away before he could see the tears falling down my cheeks. I walked out of the condominium with nothing but my purse and a broken heart. Outside, the city lights blurred before my eyes. I stood beside the elevator, pressing my trembling fingers against my lips to keep myself from sobbing. I had loved Dominic so much that I had forgotten how to protect myself. Never again. My phone vibrated. A message from Dominic appeared on the screen. Dominic: Don't tell my family about this. You know how important my reputation is. I stared at the message. Not I'm sorry. Not Please forgive me. His reputation. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Then another message arrived. Dominic: We can talk tomorrow. Don't do anything stupid tonight. Something inside me went cold. He was worried about his reputation, not my heartbreak. He wanted to control the story before anyone discovered what he had done. And suddenly, I remembered the one person Dominic feared disappointing. His uncle. Lorenzo Villareal. I had met Lorenzo only a handful of times at family gatherings. He was a powerful businessman, known for his cold demeanor and ruthless decisions. Even Dominic, who acted like he owned the world, became noticeably careful whenever his uncle was around. Lorenzo was the only person who could challenge Dominic's position in the family and take away the privileges he treasured. And unlike Dominic, Lorenzo never tolerated dishonesty. I wiped my tears. An idea began forming in my mind. It was reckless. It was dangerous. It might destroy whatever remained of my dignity. But Dominic had taught me something tonight. Love meant nothing to a man who never respected it. If Dominic wanted to protect his reputation so badly, I would give him a reason to fear losing it. I opened my contacts and searched for the number Lorenzo had given me months ago, back when I had accidentally left my phone at a family dinner. My thumb hovered over the screen. What exactly was I going to say to him? Your nephew cheated on me. Help me ruin his life? No. That would never work. Lorenzo was too intelligent to be dragged into a childish revenge scheme. If I wanted to defeat Dominic, I needed something he would never expect. I needed to become the one thing he could not control. His uncle's weakness. I pressed the call button. It rang twice. Then a deep, composed voice answered. “Catalina?” I closed my eyes, forcing my voice to steady. “Lorenzo,” I whispered when he answered. “I'm sorry for calling you this late.” “Catalina? What's wrong?” I tried to hold back my tears, but hearing his voice made everything worse. “Dominic cheated on me. I caught him with another woman.” My voice cracked. “I can't go home like this. I don't want my family to see me crying.” “Where are you?” I sent him my location and went to a nearby bar. I needed something to numb the pain, even for a little while. Twenty minutes later, Lorenzo Villareal appeared before me, looking dangerously handsome in his black shirt. “Have you been drinking?” he asked, glancing at the empty glass. “A little.” He sighed and offered me his hand. “Come on. You're staying at my guesthouse tonight.” “Why are you helping me?” “Because you're hurt, Catalina. And you shouldn't be alone.” His words almost made me cry again. As he steadied me when I stumbled, I looked at him and realized something. Dominic had always been proud of his powerful uncle. He admired Lorenzo, feared disappointing him, and desperately wanted his approval. And perhaps, without even realizing it, Lorenzo had just given me the perfect opportunity for revenge. I would make Dominic regret betraying me. I would get close to Lorenzo, make him notice me, and turn his own family against him. I just had to make sure I didn't fall for the one man I intended to use.