Betrayed I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 1

**TITLE: Pushing the Edge 1**

**Chapter 01**

It was an irony of fate, a twisted joke of timing, that I chose to serve my husband divorce papers at his brother’s funeral. The somber atmosphere hung heavy, thick with grief, yet my heart pulsed with a different kind of urgency.

In a moment of sheer madness, he had taken a slap from his father, all in defense of another woman—the very woman I had long suspected of being involved in something far more sinister than mere infidelity. She was the one who had captured his heart, and perhaps, in a darker sense, his soul.

What he had never realized, what he had never suspected, was that I had seen him—seen him lost in a moment of private indulgence, his hands wrapped around himself, his eyes glued to a picture of her. The betrayal cut deeper than any knife could.

And so, I vanished. I slipped away into the shadows, leaving behind the remnants of a marriage that had become a façade.

When I returned, I was no longer the same woman. I had transformed into a world-renowned medical genius, the CEO of a pharmaceutical empire that commanded respect and envy in equal measure.

I had become the woman every elite in society desired—Formula 1 racers, hockey stars, Hollywood icons, powerful politicians, and billionaires all vied for my attention.

Now, as I stood on the precipice of a new beginning, my ex-husband was on his knees, pleading for a forgiveness I had no intention of granting.

Today, I was marrying the world’s most enigmatic billionaire.

But as I glanced toward the altar, locking eyes with my handsome, magnetic groom, I could see the color drain from my ex’s face.

His world was crumbling around him.

How could he comprehend that his dead brother was standing there, smiling at me?

**Elara’s POV**

On what was supposed to be our wedding anniversary, I stumbled upon a truth that had been hiding in plain sight: my husband’s heart was not mine; it belonged to another woman—his brother’s wife.

That day, I had flown into his city, dressed to perfection, my heart fluttering with naive anticipation. I envisioned the look of shock and joy on his face when he saw me.

But the surprise was mine, and it shattered me.

I stood outside the door, eavesdropping on a conversation that tore through me like a blade. Their voices were sharp and filled with disdain.

“You’ve got to be kidding me! You’re still hung up on Amelia? She was your brother’s wife! For her, you ditch Elara every anniversary? That’s disgusting.”

“Whose problem is that?” he shot back, his voice cold and devoid of any guilt. “If I stayed, Amelia would think Elara and I were having an affair. I can’t let her be devastated. And just so you know, Elara’s still a virgin. Our marriage has never been consummated.”

“Are you really treating Elara like this? Aren’t you worried her brother Gavin will come after you?”

A dismissive laugh escaped him. “He won’t. They severed ties right after we got married. It’s been three years. No one believes Elara is unhappy. Not even she does.”

I felt as if the ground had shifted beneath me, leaving me unmoored.

A vivid memory crashed over me like a wave: Before my trip, I had confided in Amelia about my struggles with Zane.

She had smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes, and said, “Go on. Surprise your husband. I’m planning a surprise for his brother, too.”

In that moment, I felt like the biggest fool in existence.

When I stumbled out of that building, the heavens opened up, releasing a torrent of rain that soaked me to the bone.

I took a red-eye flight back to New York that night, and as soon as I arrived home, I succumbed to illness.

“Yes,” I replied, my heart racing.

And then I saw her—Amelia, standing beside him, a child around four years old clinging to her hand. Max, her son with Ethan.

He was a round-faced boy, yet his eyes bore an unsettling sharpness, a calculating glint that seemed far too mature for his age. It was a look of pure, unmasked disdain—the very image of his mother.

Before I could even gather my thoughts, Max had barged into my car, demanding, “Aunt Elara, take me and Mommy home now!”

I frowned, casting a questioning glance at Zane.

He pressed his lips together, a sign of irritation. “My parents… they’re still furious with Mia. So, she and Max will be staying with us for a while.”

Sensing my hesitation, he quickly added, “Haven’t you always said you wanted kids? This is the perfect opportunity to practice with Max, right?”

What a convenient excuse.

So, he wanted me to play chauffeur for his lover Amelia and her son while he faced his angry parents alone? Right after his brother Ethan had died because of Amelia?

… Fine. I would do what needed to be done. Arguing with this man was futile. He would come to regret this choice.

Back at home, the guest room was prepared—Zane must have arranged it in advance. I took a long, scalding shower, letting the water wash away the remnants of the day, before collapsing onto the bed, exhaustion overtaking me.

I awoke at 9 p.m., my phone buzzing the moment I picked it up. Chloe’s name illuminated the screen.

“I’ve drafted the divorce papers as you requested,” her voice was crisp and professional, cutting through the haze of my thoughts. “Should I send them over for your review?”

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Things are just getting interesting. See you in the next one!