Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 152

“Elara.” It was Colton’s voice, but it was strained, urgent. “Our flight landed early, so we decided to just grab a cab. There was an accident on the way. Sylvia she’s hurt pretty badly. We’re in an ambulance on the way to the hospital now.”

It felt like a cruel joke from the universe. Just when things couldn’t get worse…

I shot up from the sofa. “What about you? Are you okay? Does Sylvia need any special-”

“I’m fine,” he cut in, knowing me well. “Don’t you dare panic, and don’t even think about coming. By the time you sorted a visa, she’d probably be discharged.”

“But-”

“Just listen to me. Come see her when we’re back home. That’s all I need from you right now.”

“Okay.” A sliver of composure returned.He was right; I couldn’t just drop everything and fly out. “Call me anytime, for anything, both of you.”

Everyone always joked that Colton was henpecked, but I knew the truth. Sylvia rarely told him what to do; he just adored her beyond reason.

Now wasn’t the time to burden him with my own crisis. I had to hang up.

But Chloe…

I’d never felt so utterly devastated. I paced my apartment, phone in hand, anxiety clawing at my insides. My mind raced, desperately trying to think of anyone else who could help.

After running through every possibility, the only person who truly fit, the one with the power to intervene effectively, was Gavin.

I walked to the foyer, my nails digging half–moons into my palms, still torn.

I knew I had to go to him.

But my heart was a tangled, frantic mess.

Theodore called, losing his patience, “Have you made up your mind yet?”

“If you keep dragging your feet like this, little sister,” he said, his voice laced with a veiled threat, “I can’t promise what might happen to your dear friend.”

“I’ve decided!” The words burst out of me, my voice tight with strain.

Theodore sounded pleased. “Then get over-”

I hung up before he could finish.

I had decided.

-I would beg Gavin.

No more hesitation. I unlocked my door and strode across the hall, pressing his doorbell.

4 A.M. I was prepared for him not to answer. To my shock, the door swung inward almost immediately, as if the owner had been waiting.

He stood there, tall and powerfully built, draped loosely in a dark silk robe. The foyer light carved out the sharp, hand om jawline clean and severe. Those deep, sapphire–blue eyes regarded me with an unreadable stillness.

planes of his face, his

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Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

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Chapter 152

He didn’t speak. Just wanted.

He had the art of silent, unposing authority down to a science.

My fingers trembled almost imperceptibly at my sides. I looked up at him, gathering every ounce of my courage. “Gavin you’re at least a little bit interested in me, aren’t you?”

I knew how this worked. When you ask for a favor, you come bearing a gift the other person might want.

Zane’s mother wanted me to hide the divorce, so I could promise to keep up the charade even longer.

Zane himself, his mind was never on our dead–end marriage anyway. I could be even more accommodating, let him enjoy his affair with Amelia without a guilty conscience.

But

Gavin.

I’d thought about it for a long time before coming here.

In the end, the only thing I could think of to offer was myself.

I was gambling. Gambling that his attitude the night of Colton’s birthday wasn’t just in my head.

Gambling that this golden heir of the Windsor empire, who’d once on a whim decided to raise me as a sister for nine years, was now, on another whim, feeling a different kind of interest.

Or, let’s be honest, lust.

It had taken every ounce of my strength just to marry Zane. I certainly didn’t fool myself into thinking I could ever be Gavin’s proper, official girlfriend.

So, the moment I saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes, I lowered my gaze, my voice submissive. “Gavin, I can be your mistress. I’ll be good. I promise.”

“Please, save Chloe. Please?”

I didn’t even dare to look at his expression.

In the silence that stretched between us, my heart hammered against my ribs, my fingers shaking uncontrollably.

If I’d gambled wrong, God only knew how he’d mock me.

Laugh at me for overreaching.

Or look down his nose and ask, What exactly did I do to make you think I’d ever be interested in a champion–level fool in love?

But Chloe was in this because of me. Being mocked was a small price to pay.

If I lost this bet, I’d accept it.

Gavin’s gaze drifted down, taking in my trembling hands, and then… my bare feet. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “Come in.”

Chapter 153