Torn Between The Carter Brothers

Chapter 23

Addison

The shock that settled across Mrs Carter’s face is unlike anything I can describe. Her face, which was

previously twisted in rage, contoured into stark shock as she looked Zane up and down, almost like she couldn’t believe her eyes.

“Z- Zane…” she whispered slowly, her eyes still blown wide. I could feel the warmth of Zane’s body seep into my body from where I was pressed into his side. Once again, like last night, he had come in

to defend me. I felt embarrassed just thinking about the fact that he has had to defend me so much in such a short period, which might definitely make me seem like a weakling, but I’m definitely not.

“Hello, mother. How have you been?” Zane responded easily, his voice indifferent. It wasn’t cold but it

wasn’t warm either.

Mrs. Carter’s eyes widened even more as she looked from him to Marco, then back to Zane as she

finally spoke. “W- what are you doing here?”

I frowned slowly, wondering if that was how she was supposed to greet her son. Zane hasn’t hugged her when he arrived minutes ago as well, making me wonder what kind of relationship this family

shares.

“I’m here to support my brother on his wedding day, but isn’t that already a given?” Zane drawled

through a small chuckle, then he tugged me closer. When I glanced up at his face, our eyes met for a moment and the chilling coldness I met in there has a gasp catching in my throat.

“I- we didn’t know you were invited. Marco, did you invite him?” She responded, still looked shocked and completely caught off guard. Marco stepped forward, going around to stand beside his mother as

he shook his head.

“No, mother. He showed up unannounced.” Marco responded, his eyes locked with Zane, and the coldness in his eyes was very sharp.

“Clearly I wasn’t invited cause I don’t need an invite to come support my little brother, cause that’s already expected of me.” Zane drawled and Marco snorted.

“No one expects anything of you, Zane.”

Zane waved him off. “Anyways, I’m here to support you, and that’s that. You can’t send me away.” He pointed out and Marco gritted his teeth, clearly furious. I felt confused as I glanced between the two brothers, wondering what could be the reason why they were this hostile towards each other.

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Mrs Carter seems to have finally recovered from her shock as she cleared her throat then pointed towards me. “What is she doing here though?!”

“She’s my girlfriend, mother. You just insulted her and you should apologize.”

Carter’s face reddened as she sputtered in

flinched a little, feeling myself returning to the girl I was five years ago who had

her

were very

boyfriend, I took offense, so apologies.” His voice was

here to ruin this wedding! Why should I—” she was speaking when Zane cut

something to you? She’s only here to support Marco as his friend, and

Mrs Carter finally cried out, and I watched as

arms around his mother’s shoulder and tugged her

stop speaking to her like

Just because I asked her to apologize to Addison? She insulted her by all what she

his eyes. “She doesn’t need to apologize,

Addison?”

all faced me and I struggled for what to say. I didn’t want

still speaking when Zane

doesn’t matter. As her boyfriend, I demand

tear herself out of Marco’s grip and was pointing a

did you really mean it when you said she was your girlfriend?” She cried out, then she laughed

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Chapter 23

that she’s clearly after the family’s money??” She continued, crackling

mother.” Zane snapped

latest Gucci collection and I’m certain she roped you into getting it for her, cause she definitely can’t afford it herself.” She continued and I felt a wave of mortification come over every inch of my body just as

not your latest toy, you should discard her either way. Someone willing to jump between two brothers like her is beyond disgusting. She’ll end up stealing all

you start caring for me this much, mother?” Zane murmured after a few

be at a loss of what to say at first before she got herself together. “I- I always cared about you, Zane. It’s you who hates following rules. And you should

comes with consequences.”

beside me while Marco

apologize

gaze sharp with after. “I’ll never do that. If you chose to still be with her, that’s your choice. However, do us all a favor and keep an eye on the wrench. You must ensure she doesn’t try to ruin the wedding.” She

Marco.” I finally breathed out but she gave me a sharp, icy glare. Usually it would make me instantly cower, but I refused to back down, holding her sharp gaze with mine till she scoffed and

were you gonna say

he finally spoke. “Mother, I don’t think Addison

mother looked up at him before finally signing and

a scoff of disbelief, feeling extremely angry cause again Marco chose to finally speak up after the issue had gotten so dragged out, and over the fact that

they didn’t look alike, they had the same eyes and smile, but while Marco

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finally left the kitchen, then I was finally able to breathe again. That entire exchange had felt so scary, and also humiliating on my part, but I was glad that at least the other guests of the couple hadn’t witnessed it happening. I felt very grateful to Zane for defending me again when he definitely hadn’t had to. The way he and his mother had interacted showed that they didn’t get along, and I wondered if he’d tell me the

him about it once

it mean that he

and I blinked up at him as I nodded, feeling entranced by his eyes which still has some coldness

I was blushing hard and glancing down at my feet, feeling my heart pounding against my ribs cause for a moment back there, I completely forgot that Zane