Betrayed I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

It was just a hand–but it had long, distinct fingers, pronounced knuckles, and a small, unmistakable red mole near the wrist.

I knew exactly who the man in the picture was.

I took a screenshot and forwarded it to Zane.

Me: Still at the hospital? We need to talk. Should I come find you tomorrow?

If he wasn’t planning on coming home, I had no problem taking the fight to him.

Third–person POV

After landing, Zane sank into the backseat of the Maybach, rubbing his temples. The city lights streaked past the window, catching the tired lines of his profile.

“Office or home, sir?” his assistant asked quietly.

“The office.”

He’d just spent days containing a crisis abroad. Work had piled up in his absence, and the crushing weight of the Grayson Group left no room for rest.

It wasn’t until his brother Ethan died that Zane understood how much he’d shouldered alone.

None of their years of smooth sailing would’ve been possible without him.

He let out a slow, weary breath.

Then he saw Elara’s message.

Instead of replying, he called Amelia. “When was this taken?”

She hesitated. “What photo?”

“The one you just posted.” His voice cooled. “Visible only to her.”

Amelia’s tone turned sharp. “I wanted her to know it’s me you care about! What if you never divorce her? What if you fall for her?”

“Mia.” Zane’s voice was firm. “I’ve known Elara since she was a girl. Seeing her that way would be wrong.”

“Then when will you

divorce?”

The word hung between them. Everyone pushed for it–yet each time he heard it, something tightened in his chest.

His answer came clear and final: “Never.”

Elara’s POV

The next morning, I woke up groggy, the late–night thoughts still clinging to me like cobwebs. I reached for my phone and saw Zane’s reply blinking on the screen.

[What is it? I’ll be home tomorrow to discuss it.]

I understood the subtext loud and clear: Don’t make a scene. Don’t go after Amelia. We’ll talk when I get back. He was probably still picturing that vase I’d nearly smashed over her head last time.

12:18

Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

16.1%

Chapter 23

But honestly, this response was all I needed. It was the green light. Once he came back and we had that talk, I could finally, permanently leave this house that had long since stopped feeling anything like a home.

I got up, washed my face, and changed clothes with a sense of purpose. Before I left the walk in closet, I paused and looked back. A weird feeling stirred in my chest.

As Mrs. Grayson, it wasn’t like Zane was some doting husband showering me with gifts, but he made sure I was dressed for the part. Every gala, every charity event that required a plus–one, I was there. So, designer clothes, jewelry, handbags… they took up most of the space in this closet.

The Graysons wouldn’t miss any of this stuff. And after the divorce, it would all just end up sitting here, gathering dust, until some maid eventually bagged it for the trash. What a waste.

Instead… I had a better idea.

I pulled out my phone and contacted a charity organization. I donated everything. All of it. They’d handle selling the items, and the proceeds would go to a women’s foundation, helping girls who actually needed a leg up. It felt right.

After I finished packing and got Mary to help me ship everything out, I headed downstairs for breakfast, feeling lighter than I had in months.

But the moment I stepped into the living room, my good mood evaporated.

There she was–Victoria, Zane’s mother, perched elegantly on the sofa in a crisp, dark Chanel suit. Her face was impeccably maintained and, as always, unreadably cold.

“Mom?” I said, surprised. “What brings you here?”

She gestured to the spot beside her. “Come here, Elara.”

My eyes fell to the coffee table. There it was. The gift box I’d used. The ribbon was untied now. My heart did a little stutter–step. I lowered my lashes, trying to hide the sudden tremor.

I didn’t know if Zane had seen the divorce papers inside yet.

But I was dead certain that his family’s elders had gotten a peek first.

I walked over to the sofa and sat down, silently taking a deep breath. No point beating around the bush. “You’ve seen it, then?”

“So you want a divorce…” Victoria’s voice was softer than I expected as she studied me. She reached out, taking my hand, and guided me to sit beside

her.

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