Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 284

Chapter 284

ane froze. The question hung in the air, stark and damning.

vague, uncomfortable memory surfaced–of avoiding Elara, distancing himself, all to placate Amelia, to keep her from making a scene. He’d even missed lara’s birthdays because of it.

humorless, dark smile spread across Gavin’s face, though the menace in his eyes didn’t fade. “Alright, Zane. I’m done. Get out.”

he living room was lit only by the dim glow of a wall sconce. In the sparse light, both men bore the marks of the fight.

ane half–sat on the arm of the sofa, catching his breath for a long moment. Then he, too, offered a bitter smile. “You think forcing her makes her yours?” he aid, his voice low. “Gavin, she will always be mine.”

le pushed himself up, grabbed a couple of tissues from a box to dab at the blood on his face, and walked slowly toward the door.

avin’s long fingers tugged at his own collar, loosening it. “She belongs to herself,” he said, his voice flat and final. “Not to anyone. She’s not property.”

Whoever she belongs to,” Zane said with a final, knowing smirk from the doorway, “it won’t be you. You and her? It’s over.”

With her parents‘ deaths between you,

lara’s POV

hloe pushed me into our bathroom and started the shower. Steam began to fog the mirror. I stood there, still straining to hear any sound from across the hall.

Hey,” Chloe said softly, turning me to face her. “Take a hot shower. I’ll camp by the door and listen, okay? I’ll yell if it sounds like murder.”

nodded, some of the tightness in my chest easing. “Okay.”

lavin… his core wasn’t built on cold logic. It was will and desire. If he decided to really lose it, anything was possible.

he hot water was a blessing. It hit my skin, and only then did I feel the full, deep ache in my muscles. The pleasant soreness that spoke of what had happened, nd the tighter, newer pains from being shoved around–gently, but still–in the hallway.

didn’t linger. I washed quickly, mechanically, and slipped into soft sweatpants and an old t–shirt.

filoe was on the couch. She heard me and spoke before I could ask. “All clear. Zane walked out under his own power. Looked like hell, but he was breathing

I breath I didn’t know I was holding left me. I walked to the fridge, pulled out two beers, and handed her one. It was unlike me. She raised a brow but took it

popped the tab and took a long drink. Alcohol was a useful tool. A little, for me, was enough to blur the sharpest edges.

Chloe took a sip from her own can, then fized me with a look. “So. Wanna tell me what actually happened tonight?”

We broke up.” The alcohol loosened my tongue, but I remembered my earlier lie to her. Protocol ended‘ wasn’t a phrase that would make sense here

Her eyes drifted to the faint, bruising marks visible at the collar of my shirt. Is that the new breakup trend for men in their thirues? Kissing someone like they’re trying to leave a brand?

I leaned back against the cushions, forcing a lightness I didn’t feel. “Think of it as a farewell party of sorts‘

*_*Chloe stared at me, deadpan. We’d known each other too long she saw right through the act

She scooted over and bumped her shoulder against mine, then ruffled my hair. “You sure about this? Really sure?

Her voice was gentle.

09:53

Betrayed 71 Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

Chapter 284

“Before Zane showed up with those files. I thought you and Gavin might make it this time. He does what he wants. His family can’t control him. You’re brilliant, talented… no one would say you’re not good enough for him. She paused, her expression turning somber. “And I saw what it did to you last time, Elara. When he left. Trying to accept being alone forever, while that old witch made every day hell. I just… I hate that you have to go through that again.”

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