Betrayed I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Zane pulled his eyes away and frowned slightly.

“What’s your problem now?”

“…” I took a sharp breath. “You were totally staring at her!”

“Was I?” His brow furrowed a little deeper.

Something felt off about Zane.

Before, no matter what I said, he’d take it seriously.

Like at family events–if I even hinted that he and Ellara were getting too cozy, he’d instantly put some space between them.

But now? Just a careless “Was I?”

I was pissed. Had all my effort been for nothing?

I’ve hated Ellara since we were kids. God knows how much I’ve sacrificed to take everything she had.

“It was obvious! I called your name and you didn’t even hear me.”

Just thinking about work.” Zane explained.

Seeing the soft look on his handsome face, I relaxed a little.

I poked him in the side and pouted. “Don’t you dare fall for her. Remember our agreement!”

“Don’t worry.” Mentioning it brought a slight smirk to his sexy lips, softening his expression.

Ive always remembered. Trust me.”

Elara’s POV

I had zero interest in how their perfect little family of three spent the holiday.

After dinner, I crouched in the courtyard and built myself a snowman, my hands turning bright red from the cold before I finally went back inside for a hot bath.

The heat was cranked up so high–probably because Mary saw the snowstorm outside and went overboard–that I didn’t even have the energy to blow–dry my hair afterward.

I just leaned against the headboard, holding my copy of One Hundred Years of Solitude, and slowly curled up until I drifted off.

I dreamed about my school days. I saw Ethan–tall, handsome, radiant Ethan, back when he and my brother played hockey together. They were a hit with the girls.

After I married his brother, Ethan gave us his sincere blessing.

But as he got more involved in running the family business, our paths crossed less and less.

We hardly talked, yet at family gatherings, I’d sometimes catch him watching me with a quiet, gentle look in his eyes.

I never imagined he’d be gone so soon–or in such a cruel way.

12:17

Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

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Chapter 17

The next morning, a sharp crash jolted me awake–sounding like it came from just outside my door or downstairs. Probably Max on another rampage.

Any sleepiness was gone. I washed up and headed down for breakfast.

But just as I reached the top of the stairs, Max appeared out of nowhere, planting his hands on his hips and glaring at me. “You bad woman! Go die!”

I frowned. Before I could say a word, he suddenly charged at me with all his might!

This time, I dodged quickly. But then, something–no, someone–grabbed my lower back hard, violently throwing off my balance. I tumbled down the

stairs.

Every bone in my body took a solid hit. My forehead struck the edge of a stone step, and blood streamed down my face.

I lay in a heap at the bottom, struggling through the pain to lift my head. Amelia was standing on the stairs, looking down at me with a meaningful smile. “I’m not moving out,” she said softly. “Stop dreaming.”

It was Amelia who had pushed me from behind.

Mary came running at the sound, completely panicked. It was me, using the last bit of my strength, who had to remind her: “Call an ambulance.”

“Yes, yes, of course!”

She frantically dialed 911. By the time she managed to stammer out the address, I had already blacked out.

Pain.

A pain that felt like my whole body was falling apart.

That was my only sensation when I finally drifted back to consciousness.

Cold IV fluid dripped into my veins. The hospital room was empty, but I could hear loud, angry voices from the balcony.

Zane’s tone was heavy, filled with a rage I’d rarely heard. “Are you out of your mind?! I told you last night, this has nothing to do with Elara! My decision that we’re not suitable to live under the same roof anymore!”

“Telling you to move out was my decision alone!”

“Even now, you’re still protecting her!” Amelia shot back, not believing a word of it.

That bitch must have said something to Zane. Last night, after their happy Christmas outing, he’d told her he’d arranged another house and wanted

her and Max to move out ASAP!

Zane sounded like he thought she was being utterly unreasonable. “Even if that were true, it’s no reason to hurt her like this! And don’t try to pin this on Max. Mia, you can fool others, but you can’t fool me.”

“So what if I did push her!” Amelia’s eyes were red, her voice defiant. “Who told you to take her side every time? Who told you to kick me out for her

sake!”

“Have you even thought about the consequences?” Zane’s brow was furrowed tight. “If Elara reports this to the police, you won’t escape an assault charge!”

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