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.

few seconds before lan

known all along. You suspected Sierra was behind your mother's framing and you've been investigating in the shadows, haven't

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

this, lan raised an eyebrow at

doesn't. But you've noticed. She holds a soft spot for

"That's your father too."

If it wasn't for him, my mom wouldn't have been hurt. We wouldn't have spent years being hunted. He's responsible for all of

of narrow escapes from death. I believe my mom wasn't the kind of person to knowingly get involved with a married man. It must have been your father who deceived her, then turned a blind eye after she got pregnant, leaving

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

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

a shade huskier. "This isn't as simple as you think. Maybe my dad was also a pawn in someone's game. I'm investigating, and if Sierra is behind this I won't let her off

you'll keep your word. If Sierra troubles my mom again,