Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 7

**TITLE: Pushing the Edge 7**
**Chapter 07**

Zane stood there, rendered utterly speechless, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he managed to stammer out, “I never touched her.” The words hung in the air, thick with tension.

Just then, perhaps sensing my presence from the sound of my footsteps, he spun around abruptly.

I found myself poised on the intricately carved spiral staircase, clad in a simple yet elegant white dress that flowed gently around my legs. My blonde hair cascaded loosely over my shoulders, framing my face. I maintained a calm demeanor, my lips curving into a faint, enigmatic smile.

“Zane,” I called out, my voice steady and measured. “The Windsors are hosting a family dinner tomorrow. Are you available to join me?”

His response was immediate. “Of course. I’ll go with you.” His relief was palpable; he clearly believed my composed expression meant I hadn’t overheard his earlier conversation. A quiet sigh escaped him, a release of the tension that had gripped him moments before. But then his gaze flickered to the small, beautifully wrapped box cradled in my hands. “What’s that?” he inquired, curiosity piqued.

“Just… an anniversary gift,” I replied, my tone light and airy.

His face fell, the color draining slightly. “Sorry… I forgot—”

“Don’t worry about it. Consider it an early birthday gift,” I interjected, hoping to lighten the mood.

“Elara, thank you… you’re always so thoughtful,” he murmured, taking the box from me. A mix of guilt and gratitude swirled in his eyes, and as he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper. He rose slightly, as if he intended to pull me into a warm embrace.

But just as he took a step closer, a loud thud echoed through the room. Amelia had collapsed onto the floor, her timing impeccable and utterly unexpected. Even little Max, who had been playing nearby, looked momentarily stunned.

“Oww!” Amelia cried out, her voice laced with a melodramatic pout. “I fell…”

Without hesitation, Zane rushed to her side, the obvious choice in a situation like this.

I took the opportunity to slip out the door, leaving the scene behind me.

The winter chill lingered in the air, and I knew we had two more days of intermittent snow ahead.

The clinic had kept me busy throughout the morning, my hands full with patients and procedures. At the last minute, I had stepped in to cover for a senior attending, guiding a surgical demonstration that had left the visiting expert visibly impressed.

By the time five o’clock rolled around, I was hurrying home, eager to change for the Windsor dinner.

I chose a fitted gray cashmere dress that hugged my curves just right, pairing it with knee-high boots that added a touch of sophistication. Pulling my hair into a soft bun, I let a few loose strands frame my face. A quick touch-up with foundation, mascara, and a rosy tint was all I needed. Good genes certainly had their perks.

As I entered the house, an unusual quiet enveloped me. No drama today, it seemed.

“Elara.”

Amelia’s voice trailed behind me, sweet yet dripping with triumph. “Who do you think he’ll really choose? You… or me?”

I couldn’t help but smirk at her audacity. “What is this, some low-budget drama? ‘The Widow Seduces the Brother-in-Law’?”

“Elara!!” Her jaw dropped in shock. The old me would never have used such crude language; I had once trusted her completely. But everything had changed.

Adjusting my cloak, I bestowed upon her my gentlest smile. “No time to chat. Zane’s waiting.” Then, lowering my voice just enough for her to hear, I asked, “But tell me, Amelia… did your husband really just die in an accident?”

She froze for a brief moment, her face a mask of unreadable emotions. “Of course it was an accident. What are you implying?”

“Not yet. You said it was for my birthday. I’ll open it then,” he answered, his voice steady.

“Okay,” I replied, relieved. That gave me a little more time to prepare one last thing.

An awkward silence settled between us as we drove on, the quietness punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine. He kept stealing glances at me, while I focused intently on the scenery outside the window, my mind racing.

“Elara… you look beautiful today,” he said, as though he had just noticed. After three years of orbiting Amelia, it felt like he had never truly seen me before.

“Thank you,” I responded flatly, the words feeling hollow. His compliment came too late; I no longer craved his affection.

Just as he opened his mouth to speak again, his phone rang, cutting through the stillness of the car. The voice on the other end was clear and urgent:

“Mr. Grayson, you should know… Amelia was set up with someone.”

In an instant, the atmosphere in the car thickened, the tension palpable.

I could feel Zane’s mood shift, a suppressed anger bubbling just beneath the surface—something I rarely witnessed from him. It was as if a storm cloud had suddenly gathered overhead.

“Send me the location,” he commanded, his voice icy and unyielding.

After hanging up, he turned to me, his expression forced into something calmer, but I could see the storm brewing within him. “Elara……………”

I remained silent, waiting for him to find his words, the silence stretching out between us like an unbridgeable chasm. In that moment, clarity washed over me, and I understood precisely why Amelia had posed that question—who would he choose? Me, or her?