Chapter 28: Rival Brothers
Moana

Ethan dropped Ella and I off at the penthouse. As I stood on the sidewalk, I had just promised Ethan that I would go to his art exhibit… But now, as I looked over my shoulder to see Edrick standing in the doorway, I wished that I hadn’t.

Edrick stormed toward us and took Ella by the hand, shooting me an angry look before stooping down to glare at Ethan through the car window.

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop coming to my home?” Edrick growled. Before Ethan could respond, Edrick turned on his heel and stormed inside with Ella jogging behind him to keep up on her tiny legs.

“Edrick, what’s the matter?” I called, running after him. “The usual driver got stuck in traffic. You can’t seriously be that angry–”

The elevator doors open. Edrick stepped in with Ella, and I followed. I could feel him avoiding my gaze as he pushed the button that would take us back up to the penthouse.

“What were you doing with him to begin with?” Edrick snarled, quietly so as not to frighten Ella.

“I saw him at the orphanage. He volunteers there sometimes.”

“So you intentionally lied to me in order to go see him?”

back, shaking my head. “No. It was just a

Edrick’s pant leg. He took a deep breath, shutting his eyes for a moment, before stooping

was still a hint of icy sharpness in his voice and in his gaze as his eyes flickered up

I watched Edrick carry Ella into the living room. He set her down and whispered something to her, to which she

“My office. Now.”

to ignore them. Once the door was shut behind us, I watched as Edrick stormed over to the window; his shoulders were tense once more as he glared out at

for you to listen to me,” Edrick said, his voice low and controlled. “I’ve done everything I can to make you comfortable in this place. I even allowed you to attend a personal family gathering, and for some reason,

things,” I replied. I took a few steps toward Edrick, but stopped in the middle of the room as he turned around to face me with fury in his eyes. “I never intended on seeing Ethan today. It really was a coincidence; you can ask Sophia, the director there, if you really don’t believe me. I spent an hour with the

to my home

that you would lose trust in me again if I showed up late with Ella after what happened

trust do you think you would gain by going directly against my wishes

“Ethan is a kind and compassionate man who goes out of his way on a regular basis to donate his

who fell silent. He turned back to face the window again as an attempt to hide his anger, but I could see his shoulders

and then people will like you,” I said, lowering my

“Compassion for disadvantaged people is a waste of

up in my eyes. “Once again,” I said, taking another step back toward the door, “you feel the need to reduce me to a charity case. Don’t forget that you’re seemingly incapable of

turned around, swinging the study

as I heard the next string of words that came

don’t get to decide

that I did, indeed, have no choice but to sleep with Edrick that night. I made sure to stuff two pillows between us, and the following morning, I got up quickly to

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