Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 103

Chapter 103 You’re Already Mine

WILLOW

After leaving the restaurant, I was unexpectedly hit with a surge of courage.

I decided to go home, freshen up, and finally tell my honest feelings to Tristan. However, as I pushed open the door to my house, he was already there.

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He stood by the stove, his back facing me, his sleeves rolled up. The soft clinking of utensils filled the space, blending with the faint sizzle of something cooking in the pan. The scent of garlic and butter lingered in the air, wrapping around me like an embrace I had not realized I needed.

I stopped right there at the entrance.

For a moment, I just watched him.

There was something so domestic about the sight.

I exhaled slowly, my fingers tightening slightly around the strap of my bag before I let it slide down my arm. I set it aside quietly, my gaze never leaving him.

I could not lie to myself anymore–not after the way my heart reacted every time he looked at me, every time he touched me, every time he said my name.

I liked him.

No.

That word felt too small now.

I swallowed hard.

I liked him way too much.

He had not noticed me yet.

I took a step forward. Before I could overthink it, I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around his waist.

He stiffened in surprise.

“Willow?”

11:24 Sat, May 16

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He turned slightly, his voice trailing off the moment he saw my face.

I didn’t realize I was crying until I saw the way his expression changed.

Concern immediately replaced the lightness in his eyes.

“Hey,” he said gently, turning fully to face me. His hands came up instinctively, hovering for a moment before settling on my shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

I shook my head, but the tears did not stop.

“I-” My voice broke. “I don’t know.”

That was a lie.

I knew exactly what was wrong.

My grip on him tightened as if he were the only thing keeping me from breaking apart.

“I’m tired,” I whispered.

His expression shifted into that of understanding. Without another word, he pulled me closer.

“I’m here,” he murmured softly against my hair. “I’m here.”

That was all it took. Everything I had been holding in came crashing down all at once.

“I’m so tired,” I repeated, my voice shaking as I buried my face against his chest. “Of everything.”

His hand moved up and down my back slowly, grounding me.

“Of what?” he asked gently.

I did not think I would actually let it out.

But once it started, I could not stop.

“Everything,” I said again, my voice trembling. “The work. The pressure. The expectations.”

My fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt.

“The divorce,” I continued, my chest tightening. “Marcus. Everything that happened with him.”

I inhaled shakily.

“And my dad…” My voice broke completely that time. “Losing him and pretending I’m okay

11:24 Sat, May 16

Chapter 103 You’re Already Mine

when I’m not.”

Tristan’s hold on me tightened.

“I thought I was okay,” I admitted. “And I am. I am trying to be.”

I pulled back slightly to look at him.

“But now…” I swallowed hard. “Now I feel like I’m falling apart again.”

His eyes searched mine, his expression unwavering.

“And I hate it,” I said. “I hate that I feel like this.”

My lips trembled.

“And I hate that I feel… insecure.”

“Because of Kate,” I finally said.

Silence settled between us.

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“I’m jealous,” I admitted, my voice quieter now but no less heavy. “I thought I was okay with everything, but I’m not.”

My chest tightened.

“She’s kind,” I said. “She’s beautiful. She’s… everything I thought she would not be.”

I let out a small, broken laugh.

“And the worst part is…” I looked away briefly before meeting his eyes again. “We’re similar.”

The words lingered between us.

“And I really don’t like that,” I whispered.

There was a brief pause before Tristan spoke.

“Wait… you’re jealous?”

My tears stopped mid–fall.

I stared at him.

“That’s what you got from everything I just said?” I muttered, my brows furrowing as I pouted despite my current emotions.

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Chapter 103 You’re Already Mine

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“Wait–no,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “That’s not what I meant.”

I huffed softly, wiping my tears with the back of my hand.

“I feel sad,” he said then, his voice softer. He cupped my face gently, his thumb brushing against my cheek.

“I feel sad seeing you like this,” he continued. “Because I just want the best for you.”

His gaze did not waver.

“I want you to be happy,” he said simply. “I’ve always wanted that.”

My breath caught.

“Even before you were with Marcus,” he added.

“I’ll reassure you,” he said. “So you won’t have the time to doubt.”

My heart skipped.

“You’re doing well,” he said. “You’re doing even better than anyone else I know.”

His thumb brushed away the tear that slipped down my cheek.

“You’re strong. You’re talented.”

His voice softened even more.

“And you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”

My breath hitched.

“I’ve liked you for a long time,” he admitted.

“Even when I couldn’t admit it to myself.”

My heart started pounding.

“No,” he corrected himself softly. “I love you.”

Everything stopped.

“And the similarities between you and Kate…” he continued.

I swallowed hard.

11:24 Sat, May 16

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