Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 215

**TITLE: Pushing the Edge 215**

“And whose fault is that?” Victoria’s voice was laced with indignation, a fiery spark igniting in her eyes.

How could she have anticipated that her son would shower affection upon Amelia while steadfastly refusing to sever ties with Elara? The very thought twisted in her mind, leaving her frustrated and bewildered.

And what could have possibly led her to suspect that Elara was the very beacon of hope they had clung to all those years ago?

“If you hadn’t been perpetually entwined with your sister-in-law, if I hadn’t feared that you would divorce Elara behind my back and hastily marry Amelia—thus igniting a scandal of a man marrying his brother’s widow—would I have ever taken such drastic measures?”

Zane felt the weight of his mother’s accusation settle heavily upon him, causing him to tense involuntarily.

Then came the final, stinging remark that cut through the air like a knife: “Besides, I didn’t force Elara to divorce you! She was the one who asked for it!”

“You were the reason she felt compelled to leave this marriage!” Zane shot back, his voice rising slightly, the tension in the room palpable.

**Elara’s POV**

The soft yet piercing light of the spring sunrise filtered through the curtains, striking my weary eyes and pulling me from the depths of my thoughts. I lingered in the silence, waiting for Zane’s return, but he remained absent. My gaze drifted, almost unconsciously, toward the backyard, where I could see him still engaged in a phone call.

The sight of him, usually so upright and confident, now appeared deflated. Whoever was on the other end must have delivered news that pierced through his usual composure, causing his shoulders to sag as if he had been dealt a devastating blow.

It was a rare occurrence to witness him like this, vulnerable and seemingly lost.

But the reality remained; our marriage had spiraled to this point due to his own choices.

Whatever the outcome, he needed to confront the consequences of his actions.

Noticing that I hadn’t touched the bowl of broth before me, the housekeeper approached with a gentle smile. “Shall I add a little more sugar for you?”

She remembered my fondness for sweetness, a small comfort in the midst of turmoil.

“No, it’s perfect as it is,” I replied, shaking my head dismissively. Not wanting the meal to go to waste, I lifted the bowl to my lips and drank deeply.

The sleepless night weighed heavily on me, the exhaustion almost suffocating, but as the warm broth slid down my throat, I was reminded of my hunger.

I drank quickly, savoring the warmth, but just as I was about to set the bowl down, I felt a shadow loom over me, dimming the light momentarily.

Zane appeared, pulling out a napkin with an unexpected tenderness as he wiped the corner of my mouth. “Why the rush? It’s not good for your stomach,” he remarked, his voice soft, almost as if nothing had ever transpired between us.

The gentleness of his touch sent a shiver through me, and I leaned back, instinctively avoiding his hand. “You’ve confirmed it now, I assume. Can I leave?”

“No.” His response was firm, yet his demeanor had shifted; the intimidation that once radiated from him seemed to have dissipated after the phone call. Yet, the finality in his words left me feeling trapped.

My brow furrowed in confusion. “We’re divorced.”

He had no claim over me any longer.

Jealous??

Oh my God. Had he lost his mind? Perhaps he had taken a tumble and hit his head. In any case, his mental state was clearly questionable. I could barely suppress the urge to roll my eyes dramatically.

Unfazed, he continued to embody the role of the “newly enlightened, deeply devoted husband.” Ignoring my evident resistance, he placed his large hand atop my head, his voice dropping to a coaxing murmur. “If I had known it was a divorce agreement, I would never have signed it. Not in a million years.”

“If I had known it was a divorce agreement, I would never have signed it.”

“Little Elara, I never once contemplated divorcing you. Please, grant me the opportunity to make it up to you.”

“But I thought about it.” My resolve was unwavering, leaving no room for negotiation. “I don’t want any making up. I just want the divorce.”

With that declaration hanging in the air, I knew he wouldn’t heed my words. I stood up, grabbed my bag, and prepared to walk away.

“Little Elara.” His voice, gentle as ever, stopped me in my tracks.

I didn’t turn back, determined to march straight for the foyer. Before I could reach it, I heard him speak again, his tone shifting to something more serious.

“Do you know how your parents really died?”

**Update complete! As always, your thoughts and theories in the comments are welcome. Daily updates continue. See you all tomorrow for the next chapter.**