Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

“Mmm.”

I nodded without hesitation, my voice calm. “I believe you.”

Zane looked stunned.

He’d always known I was…. compliant. But this time, he must have braced for a dozen different scenarios. His fair–weather friends probably told him he was finished–that no woman, no matter how gentle, would tolerate her husband’s infidelity being splashed across the tabloids.

He frowned deeply, looking genuinely confused that I wasn’t even a little bit angry.But I couldn’t be bothered to explain. I just grabbed a coat at random.“I’m going to the hospital to see Grandma.”

“Elara…”

he reached out and caught my wrist, his grip firm. He probed carefully, “Aren’t you angry at all?”

I was slightly taken aback.

Suddenly, being the perfect Grayson madam felt exhausting. I thought my attitude would be a relief to him. But he wasn’t satisfied. He wanted me to be angry.

He waited anxiously for my answer, but I just looked back at him, my expression flat.

I spoke slowly, “If I get angry, will you cut all ties with Amelia?”

Hearing this, his face tightened, a flicker of unease crossing his features. Still, he insisted, “Elara, whether you believe it or not, there is really nothing between her and me.” He paused, then added, “After the birthday party, I’ll have her move out.”

“And what about you?” I asked.

He frowned, looking almost helpless. “What are you thinking? Of course I’ll still live here. In our home.” As if to emphasize the point, he said with forced seriousness, “Elara, I am your husband.”

“Zane,” I said, offering a faint, wry smile. “What I’m asking about is your heart.”

In his moment of confusion, I gently pulled my wrist free and drove off.

When I reached the hospital, Grandma was already asleep. I had to leave, ending up driving aimlessly through the city streets. Like someone with no home to go to.

It was nearly dawn when I finally returned. The villa was silent, save for the entrance light Mary had left on for me. Passing the second–floor study, I saw a sliver of light under the door and heard the faint, muffled sounds of an argument–and Amelia’s crying.

I averted my gaze, pretending not to notice, and went straight to my room for a long, hot bath.

Later, sitting on the edge of the bed drying my hair, I felt the mattress dip behind me. A large hand took the hair dryer from mine.

I froze.

To the outside world, Zane and I were the perfect couple. We’d never even had a public argument. But no one knew the truth–that we barely had any intimate moments at all. Zane had always kept his distance. I used to tell myself he was just busy, too preoccupied for his new wife, often spending nights in the study instead.

But now, the man behind me was skillfully running his fingers through my hair, drying it with a strange tenderness.

12:17

Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

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Chapter 14

I stood up awkwardly, evading his touch, and turned to face him. The words came out before I could stop them. “Do you have something to tell me?”

His behavior was truly abnormal.

“Elara…” Zane turned off the hair dryer. He hesitated for a long moment before finally making his decision. “About what’s online….I need you to help me clarify it publicly.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. Even though I’d seen it coming, the sheer audacity was a sucker punch.

“You want me,” I said slowly, “to tell the world the woman you kissed at the bar… was me?”

“Yes.” He nodded.

A cold laugh echoed inside me. I met his gaze steadily. “And how exactly am I supposed to pull that off? Everyone’s seen the photos.”