The brothers who fought for me (by Levi Bennett) novel Chapter 11

**A Promise Lost Between Two Worlds by Jaxon Hale Ryder**
**Chapter 11**

**288 Vouchers**

“Ezekiel!” His voice echoed through the vast emptiness of the villa, a wave of panic crashing over him like a storm. It was a sound he had never unleashed before, filled with desperation and a hint of betrayal.

But the only reply was the haunting reverberation of his own voice, bouncing off the walls of the abandoned space.

His heart raced, each beat pounding with a mix of anger and frustration that threatened to consume him entirely. He felt a surge of adrenaline as he lifted his leg, poised to storm up the staircase and confront her, demanding answers that he felt were rightfully owed to him.

Before he could take a step, Margaret rushed forward, her hands clutching a gift box as if it were a lifeline.

As she opened it, a stark white divorce certificate came into view, its words striking Ezekiel like a physical blow.

“Mr. Powell,” she began, her voice steady yet sympathetic, “Ms. Sullivan mentioned that you are already divorced. This villa now belongs to her.”

***

**Berlin.**

Inside the sterile confines of the hospital suite, Giovanni was immersed in his work when the door burst open, splintering the silence.

Ezekiel strode in with purpose, slamming the dark red divorce certificate onto Giovanni’s desk as if it were a declaration of war.

“I don’t know what trick Juliette pulled, but the divorce is finalized. She’s already off to Britain!” His voice was laced with disbelief and anger.

Giovanni looked up, his brow furrowing slightly. “Are you planning to file for remarriage, or should I just go and fetch her myself?”

His gaze flicked to the divorce certificate, his fingers brushing over the document as if trying to comprehend its implications. He remained silent for a moment, absorbing the weight of the situation.

Ezekiel, accustomed to Giovanni’s calm demeanor, sank into the plush sofa, lit a cigarette, and exhaled a cloud of smoke that curled lazily into the air, obscuring the turmoil on his face. He spoke softly, almost to himself, “If you ask me, when you remarry, you might as well use my identity to marry her. That would save you a lot of hassle.”

“Or maybe I should just go get her back myself. That would be simpler…”

Before he could finish his thought, Giovanni’s voice cut through the air like a knife, cold and unyielding.

“Julie knows.”

Ezekiel’s hand trembled slightly, the cigarette nearly slipping from his grasp as a cascade of ash fell silently to the floor.

With that single statement, a profound understanding washed over him.

Juliette had discovered the truth about the identity swap between him and Giovanni.

For a brief moment, he was taken aback, but then he forced a nonchalant smile, masking the turmoil churning within.

“So what if Juliette knows? For three years, I stood by her side under your name, treating her with kindness, making her smile. Even if it began as a deception, it should have morphed into something genuine by now.”

“I’m not done with her yet. Who gave her the right to leave? I’ll bring her back.”

“Even if you have feelings for Julie, it won’t matter. You know she’s never liked you, not since childhood.”

“Who says I like Juliette?” Ezekiel shot back, his pupils dilating with indignation.

Giovanni’s laughter was chilling, devoid of warmth. “If you don’t like her, then leave her alone. If you’re interested in Leila, pursue her once her surgery is done.”

With that, Giovanni released Ezekiel’s wrist and strode out of the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

But the echo of Giovanni’s words lingered in the air, resonating in Ezekiel’s mind like a haunting melody.

Julie had never liked him, not since they were children.

Juliette didn’t like him.

A sharp pain flared at his fingertips, jolting him back to the present.

Ezekiel lowered his gaze, crushing the remnants of his cigarette in the ashtray with a forceful motion, the porcelain scraping against the surface with a harsh, grating sound.

Juliette didn’t like him.

He had known this truth all along.

Did he truly need Giovanni to remind him of it?!