Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96 Just The Two Of Us

WILLOW

Andrew did not even hesitate.

“It’s ugly.”

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For a moment, I thought I had misheard him. There was no attempt to soften it, no effort to filter his thoughts into something constructive.

“It doesn’t have any spark,” he continued, his voice calm, almost bored. “It’s exactly what it looks like.”

My fingers tightened around the folder in my hands.

“A poor copy of the Dahlia.”

I inhaled slowly, forcing my expression to remain composed.

“I don’t know what is going on in the minds of you and Miss Florence,” he went on, his tone carrying a faint edge of irritation, “but I am completely against releasing something like this.”

Around us, the room had fallen completely silent.

They were all watching–watching how I would respond.

“This puts down the Fiorane name,” he added.

That was the final blow.

My heartbeat echoed loudly in my ears.

I opened my mouth.

“I’m not yet finished,” I said.

Andrew looked me in the eyes.

“I’m leaving,” he said.

I was certain he had no interest in hearing the rest of what I had to say.

He stood up, adjusting his jacket slightly despite the restriction of the neck brace. With that, he walked out.

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Chapter 96 Just The Two Of Us

The door closed behind him with a soft click that sounded louder than it should have.

I could feel the eyes on me again.

I swallowed.

“Let’s… set this meeting again for another time,” I muttered.

My voice sounded distant, even to my own ears.

They simply nodded, one by one, gathering their things in quiet understanding.

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***

By the time I got home, I didn’t have the energy to cook my dinner.

I dropped my bag on the floor the moment I stepped inside, not even bothering to take my shoes off properly as I walked further into the house.

The silence greeted me. This was the time when Kath’s presence was greatly appreciated.

I let out a slow breath, dragging a hand through my hair.

The words replayed in my head, over and over again.

I knew the design was not perfect. I had admitted that to myself even before stepping into that meeting.

However, I was stripped down in front of everyone and told that what I created had no value.

I sank onto the couch, staring blankly at the wall in front of me.

For a long moment, I did nothing.

Then, the doorbell rang.

The sound felt distant at first, like it was coming from somewhere far away, but then it rang again.

I forced myself to stand, my legs feeling heavier than they should as I walked toward the door.

When I opened it, Tristan was standing there holding a box of donuts.

I frowned.

“Tristan?”

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Chapter 96 Just The Two Of Us.

He looked at me, his brows furrowing almost immediately.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“You just saw me this morning,” I said, confused. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not,” he said easily, lifting the box slightly. “That’s why I brought donuts.”

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I stared at him. For a moment, I did not know what to say. Something in my chest softened despite everything.

I stepped aside to let him in.

He did not waste any time.

The moment the door closed behind him, he set the box down and moved toward me.

His hands found my shoulders instantly.

He started massaging them gently, his fingers pressing into the tension I had not even realized I was holding.

I exhaled slowly, my eyes fluttering shut for a moment.

“This is not enough,” he muttered after a few seconds. Before I could react, he guided me toward the couch.

Then he sat down–and pulled me with him.

I ended up half lying against him, his arms wrapped securely around me.

Just like that, I melted into his arms.

It felt like all the tension and frustration in my body was no longer mine to carry alone.

I looked up at him.

“What’s gotten into you?” I asked softly.

His gaze dropped to mine.

“What’s wrong?” he asked instead. “I can’t even hold you now?”

I sighed, shaking my head slightly.

“That’s not what I meant.”

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He tightened his arms around me just a little.

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“We’re going on a date tomorrow anyway,” I muttered. “You could have just waited until then.”

“I can’t wait,” he said immediately.

I stared at him.

He looked completely serious.

“I’m so impatient, aren’t I?” he added, a small smile tugging at his lips.

I rolled my eyes, but I could not stop the small smile that followed.

Despite everything, I was happy.

“Besides,” he continued, his voice softening, “I need to see if you’re still sick. You waited in the rain for a long time.”

With those words, I felt the memory of our supposed date on my birthday pricking the back of my mind. It made me wonder if history would repeat itself, and I would wait for him all over again.

He turned me slightly, his hand coming up to cup the side of my face.

Then he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my temple.

“I won’t leave this time,” he muttered before any doubts could take over my mind. “I’ll stay here with you for the entire night, hmm?”

I looked up at him and he placed another kiss on my forehead.

“Let’s go out tomorrow together,” he added softly. “Just the two of us.”

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