Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52 His Wife

WILLOW

I knew this would not be easy.

I could feel Marcus‘ gaze on me as I walked toward the table, his eyes raking over my face and figure. I internally sighed, feeling his desire even only with his gaze.

Then, surprisingly, he stood and pulled the chair next to him slightly outward.

It was surprising because he had never done that during our marriage.

I stared at the chair.

For a moment, the old version of me almost responded automatically.

Then, I sighed softly, stepped past the chair he had pulled, and reached for another one across the table. I drew it back myself and sat down without looking at him.

4

The moment I did so, Theodore Hale, his father, did not hide his displeasure.

His brows drew together, and he shook his head slowly, the movement heavy with judgment. “Why would a wife not sit next to her husband?” he muttered.

Across the table, Sara and Cara, the younger twin sisters of Marcus and Tristan, exchanged glances before turning their attention to me.

“Where did you get that dress?” Sara asked, tilting her head slightly.

Cara leaned forward. “It looks good.”

“For being on sale,” Sara added with a smile that cut.

I pursed my lips.

It always felt like this.

They were identical in face but different in tone. Sara was more direct in her insults while Cara preferred subtle poison, delivered with an innocent blink.

Both of them were models trying to make it big in the industry. Although their name already opened opportunities that a normal citizen would not have.

They didn’t have any interest in running the business because they were lucking in skill and knowledge.

But they excelled at another sport.

Belittling me.

They loved their brothers too much, especially Tristan. I had noticed that early in un anerg

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Chapter 52 His Wife

Fiorned

“Why did you call her, though?” Sara asked Marcus, twirling the butter knife with her fingers. “Is this not a family dinner?”

“I was not aware this was a family dinner.” I said evenly, my gaze sliding deliberately toward Marcus.

He merely smirked, making me more annoyed than I already was.

Theodore then cleared his throat. “We are not complete yet.”

I frowned slightly and glanced around the table.

There were two empty seats.

One beside me and one at the far end–the very head of the table. Usually, Theodore sat there, so it made me even more confused as to why he was seated on Marcus’s side.

Marcus followed my gaze and frowned. “Who else did you invite?”

“Your brother, of course,” Theodore replied as if it were obvious.

My heart dropped into my stomach.

I internally cursed.

Tristan would also be here?

“What?” Marcus snapped. “I thought it was just grandfather?”

My eyes widened, already forgetting that Tristan was going to grace us with his presence.

Grandfather?

The word echoed in my head. I had never met that man during the course of our marriage!

I had heard stories, of course. Everyone in the business world knew the name Edmund Hale, the founder of Hale Industries.

But I was never introduced to him.

Marcus had always brushed it off.

“Are you going to introduce her to him now?” Theodore asked. “You should have looked for a better time.”

I pursed my lips. I already knew the reason behind it. At the time, I told myself it was fine. That I did not need to meet every member of his family to validate my place.

Now I understand something else.

He did not think I was worthy

If Edmund Hale was the true patriarch of that family, then Marcus had decided I was got toportant enough to be presented to him.

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Chapter 82 His Wife

So why now, though?

Why tonight?

Why, when I was here for divorce papers? He was such a bastard, really,

I straightened slightly in my seat.

I thought I could endure Theodore’s condescension and the twins‘ mockery. I had survived worse in this family.

But Edmund Hale? That was a different battlefield.

Before I could plan my escape, the door suddenly opened.

Tristan walked in first. He stopped the moment he saw me.

It was subtle, almost imperceptible to anyone who did not know him.

However, I saw how his stride faltered for a moment. His gaze lifted, scanned the table, and then landed

on me.

He took me in fully, and a small smile appeared on his lips.

He cleared his throat softly and stepped aside, one hand steadying the elderly man behind him as he guided him into the room.

I held my breath as the old man was led in.

He looked fragile but no less powerful.

His hair was silver and combed back neatly. His suit was impeccably tailored.

The entire room shifted around him.

Theodore stood immediately. Sara and Cara followed suit. Even Marcus rose, jaw tight.

I quickly stood as well. Tristan guided his grandfather toward the head of the table, the seat that had remained empty.

Edmund’s gaze moved slowly, assessing each person.

When his eyes reached me, they did not pass over casually.

They paused. I felt my palms getting sweaty as his gaze continued to burn holes through my skull. His expression was unreadable, but it felt like I was being read.

“Ah,” he said quietly after a while.

The single syllable made my breath hitch.

Marcus shifted slightly, “Grandfather,” he began, his tone cautious, “this is-

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Chapter 52 His Wife

“I know who she is.” Edmund interrupted calmly.

Finished

Then, she glanced at Tristan, raising a brow. “You should have asked me to meet her when it was just the three of us.”

“She’s your wife, isn’t she?” the old man asked Tristan.

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Loving The Better Brother