Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 208

Chapter 208 Recognition

ARDEN

80

Fmished

I stood there frozen. I couldn’t even think to run with Bethany Spirit right in front of me. My fingers clutched the photo album, but the moment her eyes landed on it, I quickly closed it and gently placed it back on the shelf. The click of the spine shutting echoed far too loudly in the silent room.

She hadn’t moved. Neither had I.

Bethany stared at me with a gaze that could flay a soul open. Then she clicked her tongue disapprovingly, and I unconsciously flinched. Her fingers rose slowly, pausing just at her temple.

“I suggest you don’t think about calling anyone,” she began, crossing her arms over her chest. “One link, and you’re out of this place for good.” Still, I couldn’t move. A growing sense of dread washed over me as I realized her eyes had narrowed on the uniform I wore. Her head tilted slightly.

“Cora?” she asked, arching a brow as her gaze fell on the stitched nameplate decorating my chest.

I squeaked and mentally cursed myself for sounding like a broken mouse. She stepped closer, her eyes dangerously narrowing with each inch she closed.

“I’ve worked with Cora plenty of times,” Bethany said, her tone oddly conversational yet no less terrifying. “She’s kind, competent, and certainly not in the habit of letting her clothes wander off.” Her eyes sharpened. “So, where did you get her uniform?”

I struggled for words. My mouth opened, but nothing came out.

She advanced another step. She was studying me, measuring every single emotion across my face. A couple more questions followed–piercing ones, crafted to trap me no matter how I answered. Where did you enter? Who gave you clearance? Who are you working with? I couldn’t speak. My voice had completely abandoned me, and fear rendered me too scared to lie.

Silence stretched between us until, finally, she asked, “What’s your real name?”

I hesitated for only a second. “Arden,” I whispered.

Her eyes didn’t leave mine. She was weighing the truth of my answer, watching my breathing and the tremble in my hands.

“I’m telling the truth,” I mumbled before her suspicion could increase. Deep down, I knew that lying would only complicate matters.

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11:53 Tue, Jun 16

Chapter 208 Recognition

80

Finished

She gave a slow nod. “And Arden,” she said carefully, “what are you doing here?”

I gulped. My legs twitched, ready to bolt, but I didn’t move. My eyes darted to the door for the briefest moment. Where is Cade? I didn’t have time to scream for help.

Bethany stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder. The moment her skin touched mine, we both gasped.

My breath caught in my throat, and I stared up at her in shock. She appeared taken aback too, her hand recoiling slightly–not from disgust or fear, but something else entirely.

It felt like… recognition?

Warmth spread across my shoulder, crawling into my chest and fading just as quickly. My heart was still hammering, yet for a moment, it felt safe. It didn’t make sense. What was that?

Bethany stared at me, brow furrowed ever so slightly. Then, snapping out of a moment she hadn’t meant to fall into, she straightened her posture and withdrew her hand entirely.

“You seem young,” she said abruptly, attempting to brush off whatever just happened.

I cleared my throat. “I’m twenty.”

She smirked, folding her arms again. “I knew it. A child like you shouldn’t be in this place.”

I wanted to tell her I wasn’t a child, but now wasn’t the right time to get defensive.

She tilted her head slightly. “If you can give me a good reason why you’re here…” Her voice dipped into something amused. “…then I might release you.”

I pursed my lips, feeling her piercing stare on me. I knew there was no way out of this unless I offered her something. I could give a hint, but not everything. She didn’t need to know the entire truth. I still didn’t know whether she was on the same side as Winters or not.

I shifted my feet against the cold tile floor. “Then, I believe I might have a good reason,” I said quietly.

Bethany raised her chin, arms crossed. “Then talk.”

I took a breath. “I’m from Elite Order Academy, ma’am,” I said, maintaining a respectful tone. “I came here to uncover something. For the sake of those who have been victimized by Elite.”

“Elite’s victims?” she echoed, one eyebrow raised. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Neither had I–before I became a student,” I replied, my throat dry. “But that’s how they built it. That’s how the system works. It ensures you don’t hear of them. Not unless you go looking.”

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11:53 Tue, Jun 16

Chapter 208 Recognition

Bethany’s lips pressed into a thin line.

ร

80

Finished

“The competition,” I continued, “what they put us through–it’s not just training or performance. It’s politics, grooming, placement, and pressure. If you want to make it to the United Factions, if you want to be someone whose name is spoken… you have to pay.”

“Pay?” Bethany echoed, her brow knitting together in confusion.

“With money,” I said. “With silence. With other things.” I looked straight into her eyes. “With your body.”

That made her freeze.

I didn’t press for her reaction; it was all there–the slight recoil in her shoulders, the way her eyes blinked a little faster. She had to know that the world we inhabited was anything but clean. Not even Fenra. Especially not Fenra.

“You’ve done so much for this place, ma’am,” I said, lowering my voice, softening my tone. “More than anyone else I’ve read about. But it still isn’t perfect. I know you’re tired. I can see it. And maybe you don’t want to carry anything else–but please, I’m asking you to carry this. Just a little longer.”

I didn’t mean to cry, but I felt myself cracking at the edges. It wasn’t about being caught anymore, or even about being scared. I just wanted someone with a higher power to believe

1. me.

So I begged.

“Please,” I said, the word tumbling out like breath. “Please, ma’am. Don’t reveal this yet. Don’t report me. I’ll meet with you again, I swear. When the time is right.”

Bethany didn’t say anything. She just stared at me, her gaze long and unreadable.

Then… something shifted.

I couldn’t tell what it was. Maybe she saw through me. Maybe she saw herself.

In that moment, I heard familiar footsteps approaching.

“Arden!” Cade’s voice snapped me out of my episode.

I turned, and the moment I saw him, all the strength in my knees gave out. I ran to him before

I could stop myself. He pulled me into his arms without hesitation, as if he didn’t care where we were or who was watching. His embrace wrapped around me tightly, warm and safe, like a wall against the chaos that surrounded us.

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11:53 Tue, Jun 16

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