Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 1

Chapter 01

I served my husband divorce papers at his brother's funeral.

He took a slap from his father to defend another woman—the one I suspected of murder.

What he never knew: I'd seen him pleasuring himself to her photo.

So I disappeared.

I came back as a world-renowned medical genius, CEO of a pharmaceutical empire—

and the woman every elite wanted: F1 racers, hockey stars, Hollywood icons, politicians, billionaires.

Now he's on his knees, begging for a forgiveness I'll never give.

Because today, I'm marrying the world's most mysterious billionaire.

But when my ex sees the hand/some, magnetic groom smiling at me from the altar—

his world collapses.

How is his dead brother standing there?

Elara’s POV

On our wedding anniversary, I finally learned the truth everyone seemed to know: my husband's heart belonged to another… his brother's wife.

That day, I'd flown to his city, dressed to kill, my heart fluttering with a stupid, hopeful anticipation. I was imagining the surprise on his face. But the surprise was all mine. I heard them arguing, his voice and his friend's, sharp and clear right outside his office door.

“You’ve got to be kidding me! You’re still not over Amelia? She was your brother’s wife! For her, you bail on Elara every anniversary? That’s disgusting.”

“Well, whose problem is that?” he retorted, utterly unfeeling. “If I didn’t leave, Amelia would get it into her head that Elara and I were actually doing something. She’d be devastated. And just so you know, Elara’s still a virgin.This marriage has never been consummated."

“How can you treat Elara like this… Aren’t you afraid her brother Gavin will make you pay?”

A dismissive snort escaped him. “He won’t. They cut ties right after we got married. It’s been three years.” He added with a mocking smirk, “No one thinks Elara is unhappy. Not even she does.”

I stood frozen outside that door, my breath catching in my throat. I bit down hard on my lip to keep silent, the metallic taste of blood blooming as my fists clenched until they ached. Then, feeling hollowed out and numb, I turned away—a puppet with its strings cut.

A memory, sharp and sudden, surfaced: Before the trip, I’d confided in Amelia about my troubles with Zane. She had simply smiled and said, "Go on. Give your husband a surprise. I'm planning a little surprise for his brother, too."

In that moment, standing in that hallway, I felt like the biggest fool on earth.

When I stumbled out of the building, the sky had opened up. A cold, relentless downpour drenched me instantly. I walked into the deluge, numb to the bone, moving on nothing but pure, mechanical instinct.

I took a red-eye back to New York that night and fell ill the moment I got home.

I was sick for three days straight.

Three days later, I learned that Zane's elder brother, Ethan Grayson, had died in a skydiving accident.

I frowned and shot a look at Zane.

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

Sensing my refusal, he quickly added, “Haven’t you always said you wanted kids? Think of this as a perfect chance to practice with Max, alright?”

…

What a perfect reason.

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

…Fine. I’d do what needed to be done. Arguing with this madman was pointless. He was going to regret this.

Back home, the guest room was ready—Zane must have called ahead. I took a long, scalding shower and collapsed onto the bed, falling into an exhausted sleep.

I woke up at 9 p.m. My phone buzzed the moment I picked it up. Chloe’s name flashed on the screen.

“I’ve drafted the divorce papers per your instructions,” her voice was crisp and professional. “Should I send them over for you to review?”

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Thank you for reading! I hope you're enjoying the story as much as I enjoyed writing it.