Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 225

Finished

Chapter 225 Venom

ARDEN

It was a very serious moment. Cade was nodding along to Bethany’s warnings. But despite everything, I felt the call of nature.

“I’m so sorry,” I blurted, sitting up straighter. “Can I go to the restroom, please? I’ve been holding it in since… like, an hour ago.”

Both of them turned to look at me.

Bethany’s stern expression faltered just slightly. Cade, on the other hand, let out a soft breath of amusement and leaned in to kiss the side of my head.

“Cute,” he whispered. “Go ahead.”

Bethany tilted her head toward the door. “There’s one at the end of the hall. Second door on your right.”

I stood up but paused, tilting my head. “Wait. You don’t have a bathroom in here?”

Bethany raised a brow. “All the other singular rooms in the upper tower don’t have one. It’s only fair I also don’t have it.”

That made me smile. She was just so… Bethany. Righteous and careful and strict, even with herself. That kind of self-discipline was something I had a hard time with, so I admired her even more for it.

Still, as I left the room, the feeling lingered.

She really did look pale.

And the way she held onto me earlier, I couldn’t shake it. Was she really sick?

I frowned as I walked down the corridor, the chill of the stone floor seeping through my shoes. The silence in this part of the building felt too still.

I didn’t take long in the restroom. I really wanted to hear more from Bethany. There was a lot of wisdom in her body, and to be able to receive some of it was an honor.

T

But the moment I opened the door again, I stopped cold.

There were familiar voices speaking in the hallway.

I pressed myself lightly against the wall, inching closer to the sound that echoed from around the corner. I shouldn’t have listened. I should’ve walked away. But something in their tone froze me in place.

“She ran away just to cause a scene,” my mother’s voice hissed. “Unbelievable. After everything we gave her.”

“Don’t say that here,” my father muttered, though his voice held no protest, only weariness. “It’s embarrassing. The other nobles will hear us.”

Chapter 225 Venom

Finished

No wonder she hasn’t contacted us at all. I was sure she was going to run back to us in a month,” she continued. “But she’s with Cade Callahan now. Of course, she’s comfortable. But he’ll snap out of it eventually.”

A bitter laugh followed. “That boy’s being manipulated. Just like Arden’s always done-always needing attention, always needing someone to pity her.”

I swallowed hard. The hallway suddenly felt narrower.

“She’s a disappointment,” my father added quietly. “We tried. We really did. But I think…”

He didn’t finish.

“We should have never-” My mother’s voice broke off too. A moment passed. Then her voice came again. “Let’s just go. I’m done. I want to let go of that girl. I don’t even understand why she’s going against Mr. Winters. It’s not like she understands the bigger picture. She never did.”

My lungs stung. I wasn’t even sure if I was breathing properly. I blinked away the tears in my eyes, suddenly cold all over.

2

Let go of that girl.

That girl-not their daughter.

Just some girl who caused them trouble.

I turned, my steps wobbly.

2

But as I started to retreat back toward Bethany’s office, a hand closed around my wrist.

I gasped, startled, and turned quickly.

Then, a few moments later, the same hand clamped over my mouth.

[ jolted-my back hitting the wall hard, breath caught somewhere in my throat. My heart raced, but even before I could scream, I smelled his scent.

Kieran.

He stepped in front of me, his hand still over my mouth, gaze like ice. The hallway lights cast sharp shadows on the sharp lines of his face. I hadn’t seen him up close in weeks, and yet it was as if nothing had changed. The air between us was still stiff and bitter.

Slowly, he removed his hand, but not his stare.

That look. The same one I’d seen since I was old enough to be aware of how people looked at me. Not a brother’s concern. Not even indifference. It was something worse-disgust laced with entitlement. And something else. Something I couldn’t name.

I swallowed hard. “Kieran?”

He scoffed, stepping back just enough to make room for the question. “What, surprised to see me?”

“No. I said flatly, my voice still tight from the shock. “Just disappointed.”

His mouth twitched. “You still got that fire, huh? I see Cade’s been feeding your confidence.”

“Let go,” I said sharply, pushing at his arm. “I don’t have anything to do with you anymore.”

“Oh, but we do, little sister,” he said, his voice turning mean. “I let you off the hook last time, even after y embarrassed me in front of everyone-just to defend that Owen guy.”

I stiffened.

Kieran leaned in slightly, shadows cutting across his face. “What was that about, huh? Do you like him tha much?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I muttered, stepping to the side, but he moved with me.

“Don’t play dumb. It’s not a good look on you.” His voice was cool, but underneath it, I could hear the strain in his control. “You always liked pretending you were better than us. That you didn’t need our nam Our house. Our money. You think Cade Callahan’s gonna save you from what you are?”

My chest tightened. “What is wrong with you?”

Kieran gave a low, humorless laugh. “What’s wrong with me?” Then his gaze darkened. “What did you eve do to me? You ask.”

He stepped closer, until I could feel the tension vibrating off him. “You existed.”

I stopped breathing.

“I would’ve been better without you around,” he muttered. “If it wasn’t for you… If you weren’t-”

His voice cracked, but it only made the venom in it worse.

“It’s not like I asked for any of it,” I intercepted quietly. “You think I wanted to be born into this family just to be constantly reminded I didn’t belong?”

I met his eyes. “Let me go. I’m not bothering you anymore. I’ve already left. I have other people with me now. Just… don’t get in my way.”

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