Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 102

Chapter 102

“Of course not.” Vera let out a light laugh, muttering under her breath. “Not a chance in hell”

“Oh…” I didn’t know why, but I felt a wave of relief

“My relationship with Gavin isn’t as close as you might think. Not even close” I didn’t want to explain further. “I wish you the best with your relationship.”

“Thank you, Ella.”

After a hit more small talk, our lunch concluded.

Vera seemed eager to get closer.

“Ella, did you drive here? I can give you a ride back.”

I shook my head. “No need. The clinic is right across the street. I’ll just walk.”

“Okay! Let’s do this again soon.”

“Alright.”

I went back to the clinic to get my car, then drove to a jewelry workshop run by an old classmate.

I needed an identical pendant made.

The four–leaf clover design on this necklace was intricate, though. The best I could do was get it as close as possible.

“No problem. Give me some time,” my friend Adela said enthusiastically. “Want to pick it up in a week, or should I deliver it?”

Hearing it was possible, I relaxed a little. “I’ll come pick it up.”

Then I headed to the lab.

Not long after, my phone rang. It was Zane.

“Elara.” His voice was gentle on the other end. “I’ll pick you up later.”

I paused. “Pick me up?”

“The charity auction tonight–did you forget?” He chuckled. “I promised I’d bid on something you like tonight. As an apology.”

I had forgotten.

Thinking back, yeah, he’d mentioned it.

But my mind had been on the necklace then. I hadn’t really listened, and I definitely hadn’t agreed.

I kept working, not looking up. “No need. I’m busy today.”

“Still mad at me?”

I frowned slightly and kept my tone flat. “I’m just not into auctions, and I really am busy.”

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Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

44.3%

Chapter 102

To Zane, that probably sounded like I was still pissed.

He remembered the cold look I gave him when I left two days ago, and he needed to be sure. “No matter how busy you are, you still finish work, right? If you don’t have time for the auction. I’ll wait for you at Windsor Group. We can just have dinner together.”

He couldn’t handle me being this distant.

He needed to know he was still my husband–that I was still the same compliant wife I’d always been.

Dinner alone.

Or the auction.

I hesitated for a second, then made my choice. “Fine. Which hotel is the auction at? I’ll finish up here, go home and change, and meet you there.”

“I’ll still pick you up.”

I could hear the relief in his voice. I was still willing to be seen in public with him.

To be acknowledged as Mrs. Grayson.

That meant I hadn’t completely given up on this marriage.

I didn’t argue. “Fine.”

As long as I didn’t have to sit through a whole dinner alone with him, anything was fine.

After hanging up, I wrapped up my work and, once it was about time, drove home.

Stepping out of the elevator, I found a delivery courier waiting patiently by my doorstep.

He offered a polite smile and presented me with an exquisitely wrapped gift box, holding it out for my signature.

The box itself was a work of art, crafted from heavy, luxurious cardstock that felt velvety to the touch.

It was tied with a wide, silken ribbon of the deepest emerald, the bow so perfectly formed it seemed too pristine to undo.

Tucked delicately beneath the ribbon was a petite, handwritten note on rose–petal–shaped paper, lightly scented with a delicate, expensive perfume.

The elegant script read:

To the most beautiful and wonderful Ella in the whole world. All my love, always.

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