Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 303

Chapter 303

Gavin looked at me, perfectly composed. “And Zane?”

It was just a meal, Chloe was there.” The contract only forbade intimate contact. I hadn’t breached it.

le hadn’t seen me this… compliant in a while. The thought stirred something in him. He lowered his head and brushed a kiss against my lips. “What did you

at?”

Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones. That simple, light kiss left my body feeling strangely weak.

Food.” I pushed against his chest, turning my face away. “Scott’s waiting. I need to walk him.”

urprisingly, he let go easily. “Then I’ll join you.”

..” I didn’t know where he found the time or inclination, but I didn’t argue.

We got out of the car. When I took Scott’s leash back from Neil, I could have sworn I saw a look of profound relief on his face–the kind a farmer gets when his rized pig finally notices the succulent cabbage.

he apartment complex had wide green spaces, lush and vibrant this time of year.

Toticing Scott’s leisurely, snail–paced walk, Gavin frowned. “Is he calcium–deficient or something?” When he walked him, Scott was usually bursting with nergy, practically ready to take flight with the leash.

…” I felt oddly accused of poor pet ownership. “He’s just…” I couldn’t exactly say “he seems to know I’m pregnant and is afraid of pulling me over“.

‘nable to think of a good excuse, I simply handed the leash to him.

he moment he took it, Scott reverted to his old self, straining forward excitedly.

Ah, I see.” Gavin tightened his grip slightly, reining Scott in. He glanced at me. “He probably thinks you’re too small. He’s taking care of you.”

..” Now it was a personal attack.

shot him a look. My attention was caught by two kids eating ice cream bars in the playground area. I’d been craving cold things lately. The sight of the ice ream made my mouth water.

s we neared the complex’s main gate, I spoke up. “Wait for me. I’m going to buy an ice cream.”

Ice cream?” Gavin’s brow furrowed. “Aren’t you… on your period?” Her cycle was usually regular, give or take a day.

hadn’t expected him to remember *that*. My heart jumped. I hurried to explain. “I’ve been eating too much cold stuff lately. It’s delayed.”

is frown deepened. “And you want “more“?” He knew she had a sweet tooth, but this was impressive.

rubbed my nose. “Just one. And I checked my pulse. It’s coming soon.”

Sure?”

Positive. Do you want one?”

No.”

Fine.” I nodded vigorously and, not waiting for further objection, dashed toward the convenience store by the gate.

A few minutes later, I was walking back slowly, taking small, delighted bites of the blissfully cold treat.

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Gavin stood where I’d left harm, watching my childlike enjoyment from a distance, his expression softening into something incredibly tender. As I approached, he schooled his features, his voice deceptively casual. “Good”

“Very

“Let me have a bite.” This exchange had happened countless times in the past.

Almost on reflex, I held out the barely touched low cream bar to him.

It was only as he leaned down to take a bite that I realized how wrong this felt.

Too intimate

We shouldn’t be like this anymore. Soon, once I could start paying the penalty, once the person from prison made their move whatever warmth was left between us would be gone.

by the time I snapped out of my thoughts, a huge, decisive bite was missing from my ice cream.

Third person POV

The man was just as bad as he’d been when we were kids. Always saying he didn’t want something, then eating half of mine after I bought just one for myself. Though, to be fair, he’d always buy me a new one the next day.

On the drive to the Garden Villa estate, even Neil and Locke could sense their boss’s improved mood. The gloom that had hung over them seemed to have lifted onsiderably.

fell checked the time. “Sir, it’s getting late. Won’t the old lady be asleep by now?”

lavin’s voice was light. “No.” It was only nine. Eleanor wasn’t like other seniors. She was often up past midnight, either binge–watching dramas or listening to rashy romance audiobooks.

leanor hadn’t expected him so late. Seeing him walk in, she didn’t even bother getting up from the sofa. “What are you doing here at this hour? Shouldn’t you e using this time to sweet talk your girlfriend?” If he couldn’t even manage to bring a granddaughter–in–law home, what right did he have to visit her?

lavin laughed. “Already did.” Even if making off with a huge bite of her ice cream had probably annoyed her all over again.

Really? All patched up?” Eleanor immediately sat up, turning down the TV volume, signaling she was now open for a chat.

mused by her swift change, Gavin’s lips curved. “Would I lie? Ask Neil. I just came from your future granddaughter–in–law’s place.”

Good. Don’t you dare be lying to me.” Eleanor finally relaxed. “When can I meet her? How about Mid–Autumn Festival?” She was impatient, terrified he’d mess hings up again before she even got a glimpse of this elusive girl.

In such a hurry?” Gavin smiled, seizing the opportunity. “Then why don’t you tell me… on the phone last time, why did you suddenly want to set me up

at young doctor’s best friend? What happened to introducing me to the doctor herself?”

with

leanor hadn’t expected this question. Bound by her promise of secrecy, she avoided his gaze, fabricating quickly. “I. I had your birth charts read. Not very ompatible, you two.”

That’s all?” Gavin was skeptical. Eleanor wasn’t the superstitious type.

e played his trump card. “You want to meet her, don’t you? Give me the real reason, and I won’t make you wait till the festival. I’ll bring her by soon.”

leanor shot him a sidelong glance. “You have a girlfriend now. Why do you care?” And no bribe would make her spill. The first trimester was delicate. If omething happened and the pregnancy didn’t go to term, but everyone knew about it… While modern in many ways, Eleanor was old–fashioned about a roman’s reputation.

eeing her solemn expression, Gavin had to chuckle. “Is it that serious? Worth all this secrecy?”

Not a big deal, Just stop thinking about her, that’s all.” Eleanor feigned a yawn. “Alright, I’m tired. Stay if you want, or leave. Don’t let me keep you.” There was o trace of sentimental grandmotherly affection.

is for him and Elara… the old lady genuinely felt it wasn’t right anymore. A divorcee? She didn’t care. But the girl was clearly with someone else now, and

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pregnant. No point revisiting it. She just hoped Gavin and his current girlfriend would work out, marry soon, and let her hold a great grandchild.

Elara’s POV

Elara, Mr. Garcia is here for his acupuncture.” Elias walked into my office after my morning appointments, guiding Humphrey Garcia inside.

looked up and nodded politely. “Mr. Garcia. Please lie down here.” My consultation room had an acupuncture table, though I rarely used it, usually directing

atients to the treatment rooms.

Vith Elias’s help, Mr. Garcia set aside his cane and lay down. “Dr. Windsor, my apologies for the trouble.”

gave a slight nod, said nothing more, and took out a set of silver needles. I sterilized them efficiently and began, each insertion precise and confident.

lias watched from the side, marveling. “My mother was right yesterday. Talent really does matter in medicine.” Master Colton had taught him some of this echnique too, but he’d never truly mastered it–grasped the form, but not the essence.

utting away the remaining needles, I joked lightly, “Just different aptitudes, I guess.”

Speaking of which, I do have a question.” Mr. Garcia spoke up, having observed my technique with a hint of something unreadable. How could someone who nly started studying TCM in university achieve such skill in just a few years? He looked at me with feigned curiosity. “Dr. Windsor, is it true you only began pur medical studies at university?”

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