Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 235

Chapter 235 Pull Over

ARDEN

The ride back to the Callahan estate was quiet.

The village celebration had ended with polite smiles, but there was a heaviness in the air no one wanted address, especially not after the question about Bethany having Viremia settled among those present.

We had left before dessert was served.

Now, only the distant hum of the engine filled the silence. Cade was behind the wheel, his grip light, but his brows furrowed. I kept my gaze on the window, watching trees blur past us, but my thoughts were fa from the road.

“You already knew,” Cade said quietly.

I nodded, letting out a slow sigh. “I found out when she visited us.”

There was no point hiding this from Cade. “When she went out to the balcony and I followed her,” I added. “She tried to hide it, but I saw her blood-tinged hands. That’s when I knew.”

Cade didn’t respond for a moment. “I see,” he finally muttered.

“You’re not surprised?”

He shook his head, gaze still trained forward. “Not really. You’ve been quite close lately. And Bethany visits us often… I figured there was more to it. I think she has a soft spot for you.”

I turned my head slightly to look at him. “You think?”

I wanted to smile, but I couldn’t bring myself to. Not after what I saw that night. Not after realizing that every conversation with Bethany was now something finite.

“I really like her,” I admitted instead. “Though… I don’t know. It still feels like she has a wall around her.”

“She does,” Cade said. “But she lets you closer than most.”

I sank further into my seat.

“Besides,” he continued, “it’s already a rumor among the United Factions.”

I glanced at him. “Bethany’s illness?”

Γ

He nodded. “I just didn’t think it would be released publicly like that. I should’ve known.”

“It’s Winters,” I said bitterly, my voice sharper than I intended. “It’s got him written all over it.”

Cade exhaled, jaw tightening. “He’s trying to discredit Bethany’s support for my candidacy. If he can convince the wolves of Fenra that she’s no longer of sound judgment…”

then it taints everything she’s done, including standing beside you,” I finished for him, heart sinking,

Chapter 235 Pull Over

“He’s playing on their trust in her. He’s making them second-guess it.”

“He’s too predictable, Cadle muttered, echoing my thoughts.

“It’s still effective though, “muttered, shaking my head. “Bethany has influence. She’s admired. A lot the places we visited welcomed us because they respected her. If they start doubting her, they’ll start doubting you, too.”

“But, Bethany’s illness hasn’t progressed to her brain, I believe. She’s still smart and very much sound. Probably even more than Winters. She’s even doing her duties well despite her illness. So, I don’t know why this is relevant to the campaign.”

Cade let out a deep breath. Then, reached up to loosen his collar, the wind from the slightly open wind tousling his hair.

“If only we could expose him now,” I muttered, “and make people see who he really is.”

“He’s too protected,” Cade said. “Even my parents are having a hard time getting the cabinet members t support me because they’re all associated with Winters.”

I leaned my head against the window, the cool glass calming me just a little bit. “So what do we do?”

“There’s one way,” Cade said slowly, “to expose him. For good.”

I looked at him. “What is it?”

He didn’t look back, but his voice held a firm certainty. We catch him in the act of something irrefutable

My breath caught. I sat up straighter. “You mean… like actually witness him doing something unethical?”

“Hmm,” Cade hummed.

“Then that’s what we do. We bait him. No, not bait-watch. We watch closely. We find the right time. Maybe someone he trusts. Or a deal he’s planning to make. If we have proof, we could turn everything around.”

I was rambling now. My hands were moving, and my thoughts tumbled out so fast I didn’t realize how animated I’d become until I saw Cade glance over at me.

Γ

His lips twitched.

Then he shook his head slightly and pulled the car to the side of the road, tires crunching softly against

vel.

Why are we–?”

muttered, parking.

eturned to me fully, eyes crinkling slightly with warmth, and said with absolute sincerity, “You’re so

cute.

Chapter 233 After All

Finis

“We could help.” I pressed. “In our own way. You’re influential in the South. If you speak out-if you tell our people to stop supporting Winters…”

“It’s not that easy,” he interrupted.

I took a sharp breath, frustration rising in my chest. “Nothing is easy, Rowan! But that doesn’t mean we stop trying. Everyone’s fighting in their own way.”

“I know,” he said, his voice quieter. “I’m… I’m already looking into it.”

His words softened the edge of my anger, but only slightly. I nodded slowly, then, hesitantly, I said it. “Elijah.”

I saw the change immediately.

His shoulders tensed, and his eyes flicked to mine as if I’d uttered the one name he didn’t dare to acknowledge, much less hear aloud.

I swallowed hard. I knew, of course.

Elijah was the golden child. Rowan’s older brother. The one his parents adored, the one they expected Rowan to become. But Elijah had died, and Rowan had been carrying that ever since. His relationship with his parents-whatever remained of it-had never been the same.

“Don’t talk about him,” Rowan said, his voice suddenly cold, like a winter gust.

“Why not?” I snapped, my heart thudding in my chest. “Why not, Rowan? You know how much he meant to you. He was a good person. And what happened to him-he deserves justice. Just like Honey does.”

His jaw clenched tightly.

“You can become like Cade,” I added, hoping something would reach him. “You can lead. You can rally our people. You have that strength inside you, Rowan. You always have.”

“I told you not to butt into my life,” he growled, his eyes hard as steel. “We have nothing to do with each other anymore.”

I let out a deep breath. That hurt.

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