No Strings Attached

lan's statement wasn't a question, but an assertion.

His deep-set eyes were fixed intently on Brodie, as if trying to see right through him.

The room fell into an unnerving silence, so profound you could hear the sound of each other's breathing.

It was only after a pregnant pause that Brodie chuckled lightly, "When did you figure it out?"

That laugh made something heavy settle in lan's chest.

Discovering a brother who shared his blood, seemingly out of nowhere, was a feeling lan couldn't quite articulate.

He had always been guarded around Brodie. Partly because of his mysterious past, and partly because of his feelings for Clara.

lan had considered many possibilities, but the notion that Brodie was his half-brother had never crossed his mind.

took a few seconds before lan found

matter when I found out. What matters is that you've known all along. You suspected Sierra was behind your mother's framing and you've been investigating in the shadows,

for a DNA test the first time I saw you. I also knew Teo was the scumbag who abandoned my mom.

lan raised an eyebrow at him. "Does

noticed. She holds

"That's your father too."

been hurt. We

because he gave you a life of wealth and comfort. What he gave me was a lifetime of narrow escapes from death. I believe my mom wasn't the kind of person to knowingly

but now, speaking of the past, there was a trace of emotion on his face. His dark eyes were tinged with a subtle

hatred for Teo was

pregnant and alone, nearly perishing in a fire, enduring excruciating pain to save her child without medication, it cut

huskier. "This isn't as simple as you think. Maybe my dad was also a pawn in someone's game.

keep your word. If Sierra troubles my mom again,