The brothers who fought for me (by Levi Bennett) novel Chapter 10

**A Promise Lost Between Two Worlds by Jaxon Hale Ryder**
**Chapter 10**

Giovanni had scarcely taken a few steps when his phone’s shrill ring pierced the silence. It was Nathaniel Hayes, his closest confidant, calling with news that felt like a weight pressing down on his chest.

“Leilani’s surgery has been tentatively scheduled. We can arrange for it to happen within this month,” Nathaniel stated, his voice steady yet tinged with urgency.

Giovanni’s heart sank further. “You need to keep her emotions stable during this period. Once she cooperates and completes the bone marrow transplant, you’ll finally be free of her,” Nathaniel continued, the words hanging in the air like an unspoken truth.

Giovanni inhaled sharply, the gravity of the situation settling over him like a heavy cloak. “Understood. Thank you,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

As he ended the call, a sense of finality washed over him. He stood still for a moment, contemplating the implications of Nathaniel’s words. “No need to book the plane tickets anymore,” he said, his voice firm as he addressed Dennis, who had been waiting patiently.

“Make sure someone from Julie’s side keeps an eye on things. We can’t let Ezzie do anything drastic,” he added, a hint of concern creeping into his tone.

Dennis, ever the curious one, couldn’t resist probing further. “Mr. Powell, you clearly don’t want to divorce Mrs. Powell, so why…” His question trailed off as Giovanni’s piercing gaze cut through the air, silencing him instantly.

Realizing he had crossed a line, Dennis made a hasty retreat, the door clicking shut behind him. As he left, a deep sigh escaped his lips, a mix of frustration and empathy swirling within him.

Giovanni knew that until Leilani’s surgery was completed, he would likely remain by her side, tethered to the situation like a ship anchored in a storm. The thought of her suffering weighed heavily on his mind, and he couldn’t shake the impending sense of dread.

Dennis, too, felt the pressure mounting. The weight of Leilani’s condition was almost palpable, and he could feel a headache beginning to throb at his temples. Among the two young masters of the Powell family, Giovanni was the steady rock, always composed and meticulous in his decisions, while their parents’ affections seemed to gravitate towards the younger son, Ezzie.

Giovanni had been raised almost entirely by Cayden Wallace, who had poured his heart into nurturing him. Three years ago, when Cayden discovered his long-lost daughter, the news of her leukemia diagnosis hit them like a thunderclap. No matter the circumstances, she had stubbornly refused to comply with her treatment. It was only in Giovanni’s presence that she would take her medicine or agree to examinations.

Cayden, desperate to save his daughter, had pleaded time and again, and ultimately, Giovanni couldn’t bear to let the old man down. Thus, he and Ezekiel had devised this elaborate ‘identity swap’ scheme, a desperate attempt to manipulate the situation.

Giovanni had always maintained that his feelings for Juliette were purely familial, rooted in duty and responsibility. Yet, as the years slipped by, Dennis could discern the subtle differences in Giovanni’s affections—his feelings for Juliette were layered and complex, unlike the platonic bond he shared with Leilani.

During his busy workdays, Giovanni would often delegate the care of Leilani to servants or caregivers, but he made it a point to carve out time to peruse Juliette’s latest photography collections, lingering over her casual street shots with an intensity that spoke volumes.

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