Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 90

Chapter 90 Ride Home

WILLOW

Out of all people… out of everyone in this city-

It had to be him.

I stood there for a moment, frozen in place, rain pouring down around us as the world drowned me along with my dignity.

His face was the last one I wanted to see tonight–especially not like this.

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His brows furrowed slightly as he looked at me, his eyes scanning my face, my hair, and my clothes.

Just then, his expression softened.

“Willow?” he muttered. “What are you-”

Before he could even finish his sentence, he stepped forward and raised the umbrella he was holding, angling it over me, shielding me from the rain.

I frowned immediately.

My first instinct was to step away and to get out from under it.

This felt quite wrong. I don’t remember him doing this for me. Now that I think about it, I used to do that for him.

I used to be the one adjusting, accommodating his needs at the expense of mine.

Now… he was doing it for me?

I shifted slightly, about to move away. However, someone’s movement behind him caught my

attention.

It was the perverse taxi driver. He had gotten out of his car and was walking toward us.

“There you are,” he called out casually, like we were old acquaintances.

My grip on my heels tightened instinctively.

“Come on,” he added, his tone shifting into an unsettlingly friendly one. “I’ll give you a ride for free.”

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Chapter 90 Ride Home

Every instinct in my body screamed to run and hide away.

Without thinking, I stepped closer to Marcus.

My hand grabbed onto his arm tightly. I hated that my body reacted like that.

However, my fear did not care about pride.

Marcus stiffened slightly at my touch.

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Then his posture changed completely. He stepped forward, placing himself between the man and me, creating a silent barrier.

“Is there any problem here?” Marcus asked, his voice calm but firm.

The taxi driver stopped a few steps away, his eyes flickering between the two of us.

A frown formed on his face.

“I’m just offering this wet woman a ride home,” he said, shrugging casually. “She seems to be in need of help.”

My stomach churned.

“She’s been looking for a cab since earlier.”

My breath hitched.

Since earlier?

My fingers tightened around Marcus’s arm.

That meant he had been watching me ever since–watching me struggling and waiting. He was just waiting for the right moment to strike.

The realization sent a chill down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold.

“I need to go,” I said quickly, my voice low but urgent.

I did not even know where I was going. I just knew I needed to leave.

Now.

Marcus did not move at all.

“She’s with me,” he said instead.

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Chapter 20 Ride Home

His tone left no room for

argument.

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I blinked, looking up at him.

For a split second, something unfamiliar flickered in his expression. He actually looked protective of me.

The taxi driver’s gaze lingered for a moment longer before he scoffed lightly.

“Suit yourself,” he muttered.

But he did not move right away.

He stood there–watching and waiting.

It made my skin crawl.

Marcus did not give him another glance.

Instead, he gently but firmly guided me away.

“Come on,” he said under his breath.

I did not resist this time.

We walked quickly toward his car, the sound of the rain hitting the pavement loud and relentless around us.

I did not dare look back–not until we reached his car.

Marcus opened the passenger door and motioned for me to get in.

The leather seats came into view, and that was when a bitter memory surfaced before I could stop it.

“How many times did I get scolded for bringing in even a speck of dirt?” I muttered under my breath.

I let out a shallow breath.

“Wait,” I said suddenly, taking a small step back. “No, this is a bad idea.”

I shook my head slightly.

“You don’t like getting your car seats wet,” I continued, my voice quieter now. “I’ll just–figure something out.”

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Chapter 90 Ride Home

Even as I said it, I knew how ridiculous it sounded.

There was nothing to figure out.

Marcus stared at me for a second before his brows furrowed.

“Just enter,” he said simply.

Before I could react, he reached for me and firmly guided me into the passenger seat.

“What are you—”

The door shut.

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The sound echoed louder than it should have. I frowned slightly as I sat there, my wet clothes pressing against the seat.

This was so unlike him.

Marcus Hale–the man who used to get irritated over the smallest mess-

Was letting me sit in his car like this? without complaint? without even a second thought?

I pursed my lips as he walked around and got into the driver’s seat.

Silence filled the car for a moment.

“I’ll send you the fee to pay for the seats,” I said quietly.

It felt necessary.

He did not respond to what I said.

Instead, he sighed and started the engine.

The car hummed to life, and a moment later, warm air began to fill the space as he turned on the heater.

I leaned back slightly against the seat, my body trembling faintly despite the heat.

Without meaning to, my thoughts drifted to Tristan. He was considerate like this, too, and even if he didn’t show up today, I felt worried.

Where was he?

Why had he not shown up?

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Chapter 90 Ride Home

Why had he not called?

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A small part of me felt selfish, wishing he were actually caught in something.

If something had happened to him-

Then this pain would make sense.

But if he was completely okay and he chose not to come, then this would hurt so much more.

My chest tightened painfully.

I closed my eyes briefly.

“That’s a terrible thought,” I muttered to myself.

Of course, I did not actually want him to be hurt. I wanted him to be okay. I just did not want to be the reason he did not show up.

“Willow?”

Marcus’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I opened my eyes, turning slightly toward him.

“What?” I asked, my voice quieter than usual.

He glanced at me briefly before returning his attention to the road.

“Where are you staying now?” he asked.

My fingers tightened slightly.

I pursed my lips.

I could not tell him.

“Just drop me off at Kath’s cafe,” I said instead, looking out the window.

Marcus frowned slightly.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Yes.”

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