Betrayed I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 89

Chapter 89

I frowned, confused. My mind jumped to Amelia’s allergic reaction. “There was no poison,” I explained, my tone careful. “Amelia just had a reaction to something she…”

“I was asking “you“,” he cut me off, his voice deceptively light. “How did you become mute?”

It took me a second. Then it clicked–he was criticizing me for being cold to Vera, for my silence during the entire ride.

Vera, unaware of the Grayson family’s endless drama, tried to smooth things over with a gentle smile. “So Mr. Grayson rushed off to take Amelia to the hospital?”

“Yes.” The word had barely left my lips when I heard it–a soft scoff from the back seat.

“Spineless.”

Something in me snapped. “Gavin.” My voice trembled with a sudden, sharp anger, born from a well of frustration and hurt I usually kept buried. I spoke each word clearly. “I’m not you. I can’t make anyone pay with just a word.”

What infuriated me most was how he sat in judgment of everyone, looking down from his untouchable height.

But what could I do?

I wasn’t Gavin Windsor, whose slightest frown could send ripples through New York.

If the Windsors or the Graysons decided to stamp their feet, I’d be the one crushed.

Trying to break free from the Graysons while evading the Windsors‘ grip–managing to secure a divorce at all was the result of me pushing with everything I had.

Yet in his eyes, it was nothing. It was weakness.

Seeing the tension thicken, Vera spoke up softly. “Elara, you might not realize… your brother hasn’t had it easy all these years. He’s been through…”

“Let her speak,” Gavin cut in, his voice cold.

“I’m finished.” I was done.

“So I was right,” he said, that familiar arrogance coating his words. “You’re spineless. Zane wronged you. Why take it out on me?” He paused, then delivered the final blow. “Or do you think the whole world owes you something?”

I’d almost forgotten the last time I cried.

But at those words, the tears came without warning, hot and silent down my cheeks.

I turned toward the window, took a shaky breath, and swallowed the sob rising in my throat. When I spoke, I forced a smile into my voice. “Only others would owe you. You don’t owe me a thing.”

I didn’t wait for a response. Shoving the car door open, I stepped out into the gridlocked traffic and walked away without looking back.

Behind me, I faintly heard Vera’s startled voice. “Gavin, I think she was… crying.”

I didn’t catch what Gavin said–or maybe he said nothing at all.

I walked faster and faster, wishing I could just disappear. I was completely losing it.

Just then, a car sped past, so close it almost brushed my arm-

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Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

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Chapter 89

“Ah!” I gasped on instinct. Right when I thought I’d be knocked over, a strong arm grabbed me and pulled me tightly against a solid chest.

“Got a death wish or what?”

The man–Gavin, of course–frowned as he dragged me to the curb.

I was still pressed against him, eyes red and swollen, lips trembling.

“Not your business,” I muttered.

I rarely let myself act this reckless, but around Gavin, I just couldn’t keep it together.

I’m not gonna lie–his embrace was warm, solid. And he smelled incredible, something addictive–like cedarwood and lemongrass.

For a second, I wished time would just freeze. Let me stay like this a little longer. Let me be weak, just this once… instead of constantly forcing myself

to be strong.

But weakness is addictive. The more you lean, the more you want to depend–until you’re no longer useful, and they toss you aside.

How could I let myself be abandoned again?

Ha…

I took a sharp breath and pushed hard against his chest, breaking free.

“Fine. I won’t interfere. But then tell me–why are you putting up with all this crap? Why refuse to leave Zane even if it kills you?”

He looked down at me, those sapphire–blue eyes swirling with something unreadable under the night sky.

“That’s my business.” I had my reasons. No need to explain them to someone who’d never understand.

“You love him? Swear it.”

“Why should I swear?”

He let out a low laugh. “You don’t love him, then?”

“Whether I love him or not is my problem,” I shot back, glaring. “I’m in charge of my own life. I know what I’m doing, and no one gets a say. When I hit rock bottom, I didn’t beg anyone for help. The wealth and status I want–I’ll earn them on my own. I control my own destiny. So who the hell has the right to control me now?”

He watched me for a long moment, something like admiration flickering in his gaze–or maybe I imagined it. Whatever. A little delusion never hurt

anyone.

“I just don’t like seeing you play the meek little victim. I like you better when you’re ambitious–That’s a hundred times better than swallowing your pride and crying in silence, don’t you think?”

“I’m not crying.”

I widened my eyes, refusing to let the tears fall.

A hint of amusement flashed in those deep blue eyes. His tone remained lazy, almost teasing–that classic Gavin arrogance.

“Mm, not crying. I’ll allow the denial. You can lie to protect your pride. But what I won’t allow… is you crying in front of me again–especially over some

man who isn’t worth it.”

”

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