Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49 The Neighbor’s Here

WILLOW

“Florence?” she exclaimed. “Like William Florence? The man who built Fiorane?”

Her voice echoed against the high ceiling of the living room, bouncing off its floors and glass. I had just finished telling her everything, starting from the day my father found me.

“I cannot believe this,” Kath muttered as she began pacing back and forth across the rug. “You are actually a billionaire heiress. My best friend is a billionaire heiress!”

“Keep it down,” I whispered.

“There’s no need for that,” she shot back. “It’s not like others are going to hear. The houses are like one house apart. No one will hear.”

I pursed my lips.

She wasn’t wrong. But I was not used to this kind of space yet.

Along with that, when we drove in earlier, I saw Tristan’s house lit up. That meant he was probably home. The chances of him hearing us were low–practically nonexistent. But they were not zero.

“Goodness, Willow,” Kath said, collapsing dramatically onto the cream–colored couch. She ran her hands over the fabric like she was petting an exotic animal. “This is insane. This is so good.”

She looked around, taking in the entire interior.

“Does Marcus know?” she asked suddenly,

“No,” I said immediately.

She snapped her head toward me.

“No?” she repeated.

“Currently, only three people know,” I clarified. “Rocco. The driver. And now, you.”

Her mouth fell open again.

“Your ex–husband doesn’t know that you are the daughter of William Fiorane?” she asked slowly, as if testing each word for sanity.

“No.”

“Your cheating ex–husband,” she emphasized.

“No,” I repeated.

She stood up again, unable to contain herself.

“Why would you not reveal it?” she exclaimed. “This is like the perfect opportunity to show all of them what

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Chapter 49 The Nelotibors Here

you are made of especially your husband and the skank he cheated on you with. You should reveal it to the world. You should show up at some gala in a Fiorane couture dress and just drop the mic.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the image.

“That would just make things more complicated,” I said, shaking my head. “Besides, I am starting out as the secretary.”

“Wow,” she breathed. “I admire your patience. I would have boasted on the first day. I would have walked into the Hale building with a crown.”

“Do not forget to give me a Fiorane bag,” she added, as though remembering the most important detail in all of this.

I nodded solemnly. “No worries. I will give it by next month. We’re planning a new launch soon.”

Her eyes widened to the size of saucers.

“Coming soon?” she repeated. “Like unreleased? Like, not even influencers have it yet?”

“Yes.”

She grabbed my arm and squealed, then immediately covered her mouth, remembering my warning about volume.

“I am so excited,” she whispered loudly.

She continued fangirling about the bag when suddenly, the doorbell rang.

We both froze.

Kath’s eyes lit up in fascination. “Whoa,” she breathed. “You can ring the gates here?”

earlier

I frowned, my heart suddenly thudding again. “Who would even buzz my doorbell at this time?”

“Maybe it is some rich neighbor bringing wine,” she said casually.

I stood slowly and walked toward the security panel mounted beside the staircase. The screens flickered to life as I tapped the camera feed.

Standing outside the gate, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone, was Tristan.

“Crap.” I whispered.

“Is it your neighbor?” Kath asked from the couch.

“Yes, I absentmindedly said, my eyes still glued to the screen.

He looked unfairly good under the soft glow of the gate lights.

“I should open the gate, right?” Kath asked innocently.

I turned around and found her hovering over the control buttons like a child about to press a red emergency switch.

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Chapter The Neighbors Here

“Wait,” I started.

She pressed it. The mechanical hum of the gates unlocking echoed through the speakers.

“I opened it,” she announced proudly.

My stomach dropped.

“Kath!” I exclaimed.

The gates began to slide apart on the screen.

“Oh my god.” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. “He cannot see me here. He cannot see us like this.

“Why?” she asked, genuinely confused. “You said it was just your neighbor.”

Through the camera, I watched Tristan lift his gaze slightly as the gates opened fully. He bowed at the camera slightly before stepping inside.

Curses escaped my mouth as I watched Kath already situate herself in front of the door. “Don’t open it!” I exclaimed.

“Just don’t,” I said, already looking for somewhere to hide. “Gosh, Kath. Why did you have to open the gates!”

“You confirmed it was your neighbor,” she answered cheerily. “I’d like to see what kind of people actually live in this neighborhood. What if a pop star lived here? I’m going to get a signature.”

I massaged the bridge of my nose. How the heck was I going to escape this?

Kath observed me before shaking her head. “Why do you look so queasy? Do you not like this neighbor?”

With that, she went on her tiptoes and peeked through the peephole. She screamed instantly, so I went to her and covered her mouth. Her eyes were still wide as her gaze went back and forth between the door and

1. me.

I slowly removed my hand from her mouth and silently begged her to be more discreet.

“Oh my goodness,” she whispered, looking at me fully now.

“Tristan Hale is your neighbor?!” she whisper–shouted.

In

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