Betrayed I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Zane looked worn out–probably from dealing with Amelia’s tantrum. “But Mia’s face isn’t clear in any of them.”

He pressed his thin lips together, his tone all icy CEO logic. “It’s the fastest way for the media circus to die down. It’s what’s best for Greyson Corporation.” He paused, then added, “For everyone involved.”

Everyone?

Hah. Really? Am I not part of ‘everyone‘?

Classic Zane. Always finding a way to protect Amelia perfectly, no matter the cost–even if it meant throwing me straight into the storm.

“Okay.” I smiled, still playing the sweet, clueless wife. “It’s wild… but I’ll do it. For you.”

His cold, elite mask cracked. Guilt started bleeding through. “I’m sorry, Elara. I know it’s not fair. I’ll make it up to you.”

Good. At least you’ve got some conscience left. My acting isn’t wasted.

I stayed quiet, waiting, until he laid a check on my pillow. “Go shopping with Chloe tomorrow. Buy whatever you want. Elara… I just want you to be happy.”

The irony was almost laughable. This man cheats, makes me clean up his mess, and still has the nerve to tell me to be happy?

Oh, I’ll be happy. Happier than him. Happier than Amelia. They aren’t worth my time, my tears, or another second of my energy. And I was seeing that more clearly by the day.

Satisfied that I’d accepted everything so peacefully, he finally left.

The moment the door clicked shut, I picked up the check.

Twenty million.

The price tag on my dignity.

And a pretty damn reasonable seed fund for my new life.

I opened my socials and drafted the post he wanted:

[Stop guessing, everyone~ The woman in the photos is me. Just a little husband–wife fun ?]/

But before hitting “post,” I sent another, quieter tweet–one only the sharpest–eyed followers would pause over:

Funny how the camera adds ten pounds of regret. #NewPerspective #SunlightIsTheBest Disinfectant

Let him have his public win. My private war required different weapons.

I tucked the check away–my first down payment on freedom. Then I turned off the light and lay down.

But as soon as I closed my eyes, a memory from when I was seven rushed back, vivid and unwelcome.

That day Margaret ordered the servants to punish me, a handsome thirteen–year–old boy appeared out of nowhere. He stood his ground in front of me, brave as anything, and declared, “If she’s such an eyesore to you, then she’s with me now.”

So many times after, when the hurt was too much and I wanted to leave, I’d remember that boy–the young Zane who’d had my back so fiercely. I’d tell myself I had to stay.

12:17

Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

10.2%

Chapter 15

I used to think he was the only light in my life. But that light had long since chosen to shine somewhere else. Maybe the answer wasn’t chasing someone else’s glow–but becoming my own damn sun.

“Goodbye,” I whispered silently to the boy he used to be.

That Zane was gone. The man he became only knew how to hurt me. I had no reason to keep letting him–not for the sake of a ghost who no longer existed. That wouldn’t be fair to me.

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