Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 171

**TITLE: Pushing the Edge 171**

As he wrapped up his thoughts, I caught a glimpse of his casual demeanor faltering when he noticed my distracted gaze. With a hint of nonchalance, he asked, “Weren’t you going to ask about Aidan and your best friend?”

I met his eyes, deliberately sidestepping his inquiry as I posed a question of my own, “Are we having sex tonight?”

His reaction was immediate; surprise flickered across his face, one eyebrow arching upward in disbelief at my forthrightness. But before he could formulate a response, my phone erupted into a shrill ring, its sound slicing through the tension that hung in the air like a thick fog.

We both glanced at the screen, and there it was—Chloe’s name glaring back at us.

She wouldn’t be calling at this hour without a pressing reason. My heart raced as I snatched the phone off the bed, urgency lacing my voice as I answered, “Chloe? Is everything okay?”

“I just got back,” she replied, her voice thick and congested, carrying a weight of sadness that made my stomach churn. “You’re not home?”

“I’m… I’m at Gavin’s. I’ll be right there,” I replied, already on my feet, adrenaline coursing through me.

Gavin’s expression shifted, a shadow passing over his features as he placed a firm hand on my shoulder, anchoring me in place. “Who’s more important? Me or Chloe?”

Is he really having a middle school moment right now? I thought incredulously. “Do you want the truth?” I challenged, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

His eyebrow twitched, a sign of his growing impatience. “Yes.”

“Right now, it’s Chloe,” I stated bluntly.

The moment those words left my lips, the pressure on my shoulder lifted, and I dashed out, my mind racing with concern for Chloe. What could have happened to her?

Upon entering my apartment, I slipped off my shoes and was immediately struck by the sight of Chloe, curled up on the living room rug, a picture of desolation. She had her knees drawn tightly to her chest, her back pressed against the couch—a posture that oozed vulnerability.

At the sound of my entrance, she turned her head slightly, her red-rimmed eyes meeting mine. She looked utterly exhausted, yet a flicker of curiosity sparked within her. “You and this brother of yours… is there something going on?”

I hesitated for a heartbeat, weighing my words carefully before deciding it was time to lay everything bare. “We’re together.”

I deliberately omitted the “lover” part. Mentioning it would only lead her to connect the dots with the past, the last time we had tangled with emotions, and I didn’t want her to spiral into guilt all over again.

“What the fuck?” The lethargy vanished from Chloe’s face, replaced by a sharp alertness. “Is Gavin an animal? You’re his sister! Don’t tell me he’s had designs on you all along—”

“Stop, stop, stop,” I interjected, moving closer to her, barefoot on the cool floor. I tore open a bag of snacks, the rustling sound breaking the tension, and settled down beside her. “We had zero contact for eight years. Where was he supposed to be nurturing these ‘designs’?”

“Ugh, don’t even get me started.” The mere mention of it made her breathing quicken as frustration bubbled to the surface. “They found me a ‘suitable marriage partner.’ Said the guy would give them a hundred thousand dollars. With that, plus their savings and a ‘contribution’ from me, they’d have enough to buy my brother an apartment in a decent neighborhood.”

“What? They’re selling you to buy your brother an apartment?” I exclaimed, disbelief washing over me.

“Yep.” Chloe rolled her eyes, her anger palpable as she popped open a beer and took several long, defiant gulps. “They can forget it. They even had the nerve to say I’ve been working as a lawyer for three or four years—a ‘high-paying job’—so I must have a lot saved up. That it’s only ‘right’ I contribute to my brother’s apartment.”

I bit my lip, reaching out to pat her head gently, a gesture of comfort amidst the chaos.

“Your life, your money—so long as you’re unwilling, they won’t get a single cent from you,” I reassured her, though I knew the complexity of her situation.

Beyond that, I found myself at a loss for words.

As terrible as they were, they were still her family, bound to her by blood. The idea of severing those ties is never a simple choice.

Chloe looked up at me, her usual sharpness dulled, replaced by a sense of vulnerability that tugged at my heart. “What if they force me?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle softly, wanting to lift her spirits. “Then you have me. I’ll protect you.”