Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 100

Little princess.

When I was small, Gavin used to call me that.

I’d only spent a year or two being tormented at the orphanage and at Margaret’s–not long enough to completely stamp out the spoiled nature my parents had nurtured in me.

The moment Gavin showed me a little kindness, that side of me came rushing back.

A seven–year–old girl–sincere yet delicate, kind yet willful, her heart worn openly on her sleeve.

I’d even run barefoot into his room during summer thunderstorms, clutching my doll.

Gavin was six years older, already a teenager who understood boundaries. He’d tell me coldly to go back to my own room.

But by then, I was used to his indulgence. I’d ignore him completely, crawl under his blankets, and poke my head out, pouting righteously. “But brother, Jess is scared of the thunder! Jess might get struck by lightning!”

He never bothered to correct my misunderstanding about how lightning worked.

He’d just look at me, equal parts annoyed and resigned. “Little princess, I really don’t know what to do with you.”

Even then, I could hear the fondness in his voice. The giving in.

Later…

When Gavin didn’t want me anymore, I’d turned that need for affection toward Zane. But every time he called me “little princess,” it was laced with mockery.

As if laughing at me for still thinking I was someone’s cherished girl.

For not knowing my place.

But tonight–maybe it was the wine–for a second, I thought I heard a trace of that old tenderness again.

humming. The scent of cedar and vetiver wrapped around me, pulling me back into a memory.

It suddenly hit me–I’d given him a bottle of cologne for his 18th birthday. It was nothing fancy, not expensive at all, but Gavin was completely captivated by that cedar scent.

As for that deep, earthy vetiver note… I’d only ever smelled it on Ethan. The late Ethan

Rumor was, his cologne was custom–made–probably where that quiet, luxurious scent came from.

But whatever.

A man like Gavin–an elite through and through–could grow deeply attached to a certain scent, yet discard a person without a second thought.

Because in the eyes of a businessman, only the bottom line matters. Only the profit margin.

I shouldn’t hold onto any more expectations for someone like that.

My senses returned in a cold rush. I gently pulled my wrist back, my voice layered with quiet sarcasm. “You’re overthinking it. I don’t make a habit of falling in the same trap twice,”

10:01

Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

45.4%

Chapter 100

With that, I pushed the car door open and stepped out. The night air hit me, sharp and sobering, washing the last of the wine from my system.

1

I took a breath, my professional calm settling back over me. “The project report is complete, Gavin. I’ll be heading home now. Drive safely.”

I’d thought that after everything, Amelia would have the decency not to show her face at the clinic again.

But she seemed utterly immune to shame. After lying low for a couple of days, she came waltzing in, arms laden with imported snacks and fancy fruit, handing them out to the staff at my clinic like some kind of benefactor.

Catching her during my lunch break, on my way to the restroom, I found my team looking at me with pleading eyes.

Amelia smiled sweetly. “Dr. Elara wouldn’t be so petty as to forbid everyone from accepting a little treat, would she…”

I hadn’t planned to engage, but since she’d started it-“Are you here for a consultation today?”

“It’s my day off.” Her smile didn’t falter. No shame at being the other woman. “I was just passing by and thought I’d bring something for everyone.”

“Ah, so this is personal time.”

I kept my hands in the pockets of my white coat, my voice flat. “In that case, you can call me Mrs. Grayson. Don’t you think that’s appropriate… “side chick?”

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