Betrayed I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32

“Not well.”

“More than just knowing each other.”

Gavin and I answered at the same time.

The atmosphere nearly froze.

Gavin’s well–defined fingers curved slightly, lightly tapping the base of his wine glass as he looked casually at Elias, a faint smile on his lips. “I’m her

brother.”

Something ignited in my chest. I took a deep breath, desperately trying to suppress the suffocating feeling, enduring until my eyes reddened against my will.

Just as I was about to speak, Colton cut in. “Elias, we’ve eaten enough. Why don’t you take Elara home?”

I looked apologetically at Sylvia.

She patted my back gently. “It’s fine, honey. Come to me if you have any troubles in the future.”

Elias was clearly puzzled by my history with Gavin, but knew this wasn’t the time for questions. He stood and gestured for me. “Let’s go, I’ll take you

home.”

“Thank you.”

The car slid into the stream of downtown traffic, the bright city lights slowly burning away the thick night around us.

I hadn’t said a word since I got in. I just leaned back against the headrest, staring out the window as the streets blurred past.

In the over four years we’d known each other, Elias had seen me be sensible and reasonable. But he’d also seen I had a backbone–like those evening primroses that just won’t quit, no matter the weather.

But right now? He could probably tell something was off.

I was quiet, but I felt the weight of the silence, and I knew he could sense the sadness hanging around me.

He brought the car to a soft stop at a red light. “You okay?”

I’ve never been one to spill my guts. I forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

“Just… you know you can talk to me, right? If something’s wrong.”

He kept it respectful, didn’t push. Just offered the reminder, gentle but firm. “Elara, going head–to–head with Gavin… it’s only going to hurt you in the

end.”

It was good advice. Solid.

A messy swirl of emotions churned inside me. It took me a long minute before I finally whispered, “I know.”

I didn’t get it. I’d kept my cool even when Zane cheated. So why did I keep losing my grip so easily this time?

Later, back at my place, I hashed it out with Chloe. She didn’t even hesitate.

“You know why, don’t you?”

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Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

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Chapter 32

She shoved a pile of case files off the coffee table and fixed me with a look that said she’d just cracked the code.

“Because you gave Gavin your complete, unquestioning trust for nine whole years.

With Zane? You were trying to trust him from the start, and he let you down before you could even fully buy in.”

She took a sip of her americano, waggling her finger at me like a wise professor. “It all comes down to emotional sunk costs. Totally different

investments.”

That night, after my shower, Chloe’s final words playing on a loop in my head.

I was lying in bed, my thoughts tangled and sleep a million miles away, when my phone buzzed. I sat up straight–

a gut feeling twisting in my chest.

I tapped in my passcode, and a new message popped up.

It was from Ethan.

The man we buried weeks ago.

Third–person POV

The Apex Club

This club was different from the others while nominally membership–based, your average wealthy couldn’t get in. It was a classic haunt for the political and business elite.

The atmosphere in the private room at the end of the hallway was lively, a mix of men and women.

Several people were seated inside. Charles frowned at Zane. “What’s done is done, but fighting over Amelia and making Elara clean up your mess–have you

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