The brothers who fought for me (by Levi Bennett) novel Chapter 7

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

“How can this possibly be none of my business?” Giovanni began, frustration seeping into his voice. But as the words hung in the air, he caught himself, the urgency of the moment shifting his tone. “Listen, my brother isn’t here right now. I can’t just stand idle while I see you like this. Please, just get in the car. I’ll take you home.”

Juliette didn’t even spare him a glance. Instead, she turned her back on him and climbed into the vehicle of the stranger who had come to her aid.

An hour later, Juliette pushed open the grand door of the villa, her heart sinking when she realized Ezekiel was already home.

The moment he spotted her, his expression morphed into one of sheer concern, and he sprang to his feet, rushing toward her. “Julie! Where on earth have you been? The hospital said you left on your own, and when I returned, you weren’t here. I was frantic!” His voice trembled with worry, each word laced with panic.

Giovanni and Ezekiel were masters of deception, she thought, their performances polished to perfection.

Juliette felt the weight of her own exhaustion pressing against her temples, a dull ache that clouded her thoughts. She shrugged him off dismissively, trying to appear nonchalant. “I just caught a bit of a chill. I need to take a shower first.”

With that, she turned and ascended the staircase, leaving Ezekiel’s puzzled voice trailing behind her.

“Julie, you packed away my clothes. Were you planning to surprise me with some new outfits for the season? I really don’t want anything formal,” he called after her, his tone a mix of confusion and hope.

Juliette halted momentarily, a flicker of realization sparking in her mind. Giovanni was the one who favored formal attire, not Ezekiel.

Forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, she replied, “Don’t worry, I won’t be buying you anything.”

Once upstairs, she sank into the soothing warmth of the bath, allowing the hot water to envelop her and wash away the fatigue that clung to her like a second skin.

Half an hour later, she emerged from the bathroom, feeling slightly rejuvenated. But the room was empty, save for a cup of warm water and a note resting on the nightstand.

“Julie, something came up at work. I had to step out,” it read.

With a brief glance, she dismissed it, her mind already drifting elsewhere.

She opened her laptop and sent the photos she had taken to her assistant, her fingers flying over the keyboard. Almost immediately, a reply pinged back. “Julie, the director wants you to fly to London in three days for training. Can you make it?”

Just as she was about to check the status of her divorce paperwork, her phone buzzed again, pulling her attention away.

“Ms. Sullivan, your divorce is finalized. Please come to the courthouse at 9 a.m. next Monday to collect your documents.”

A wave of relief washed over her, and she quickly typed back to her assistant, “No problem. I’ll be there on time.”

Afterward, she took some fever medication and succumbed to a deep, dreamless sleep.

The next morning, as Juliette made her way downstairs, she was greeted by the sight of Giovanni and Ezekiel once more engaged in a playful battle over who would serve breakfast to Leilani.

Upon her entrance, Ezekiel immediately set down his dish and rushed to her side, taking her hand in his. “Julie, I just learned you went to help Kiel and Leila with their wedding photos yesterday. Was it exhausting?”

Giovanni’s gaze flickered briefly at their joined hands, and his voice dropped slightly, tinged with something unidentifiable. “Leila booked a trip to Berlin. We’re leaving in two days. You should come with us.”

Leilani chimed in, her excitement palpable. “Exactly! The snow in Berlin is breathtaking this time of year. It’s perfect for skiing and visiting the Christmas markets!”

As they chatted animatedly about the upcoming trip, Juliette felt like a ghost—present yet utterly invisible. Yet, oddly enough, she wasn’t disheartened. In just two days, she would finally collect her divorce certificate.

Everything was aligning perfectly for her to break free.

On the day of their trip, Juliette first made her way to the courthouse, her heart racing as she collected her divorce certificate. She kept one copy for herself and arranged for the other to be sent to the villa by courier.

Once her business was concluded, she arrived at the airport with time to spare.

While checking in, she was about to voice her truth when Leilani suddenly gasped, her eyes wide with realization. “Oh no… I think I only bought three tickets! I must’ve forgotten to get one for Ms. Sullivan.”

“It’s alright. You can still purchase another ticket now,” Giovanni said, casting a glance at Juliette.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify