Chapter 2: Shattered Trust, Broken Vows

He grinned, playing the innocent, his voice sugar-sweet. The word ‘massage’ hung there, daring me to call him out. My fists clenched at my sides—did he really think I’d buy that?

He was flippant as he nudged Madeline toward me. "Hey, you’re not really mad, are you? Maddie’s my future sister-in-law—I’m just looking out for her. If you want to blame someone, blame me for stepping over the line, not her."

He flashed a crooked grin, acting like it was all a big joke. He practically shoved her into my arms, like he was tossing off something he didn’t want to deal with. I could see the calculation in his eyes—he wanted to make me the bad guy if I snapped.

I looked at my fiancée—her lipstick smeared, her hair a mess—and a surge of anger and disbelief crashed over me.

Her lips were smudged red, her hair wild. My thoughts spun, heat rising in my chest. I wanted to shout, to demand the truth, but all I could do was stare. The garage felt colder, the world tilted off its axis.

This half-brother, who’d barely been back, not only had his eye on the family fortune—now he wanted to compete with me for her, too.

Noah had only been back a few months, but he acted like he owned the place. He’d wormed his way into Dad’s good graces, played the charmer at our last family cookout, and now he was circling the one thing I thought was mine. It was like watching a stranger take a sledgehammer to everything I’d built.

I glared at him. "You can leave now."

My voice was cold, just above a whisper. I kept my hands at my sides, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me lose it. The silence between us was thick, every second stretching longer.

But Madeline, reeking of whiskey, still tried to defend him.

She slurred, her words sticky and slow. The scent of cheap whiskey clung to her, mixing with her perfume. She leaned against me, heavy and unsteady, her loyalty to Noah a slap I never saw coming.

"Evan, don’t be so harsh with him, or I’ll ignore you forever."

She pouted, her voice whiny, like a kid threatening to run away. It was a line she’d used since we were teenagers, but now it sounded empty. She clung to my arm, daring me to shove her away in front of him.

Noah’s grin widened. He slowly pulled out a brand-new car key and pressed the remote.

The Mustang’s headlights flashed, engine rumbling in the background. Noah spun the key around his finger, the move cocky and practiced. He looked at me like he’d just hit the jackpot, and I was the idiot who paid for his ticket.

"I’ll head out first, bro. Make sure to thank Maddie for the new Mustang she gave me. I really love it."

He drew out the word ‘love,’ his gaze flicking between me and Madeline. My fists clenched, blood roaring in my ears. He sauntered off, whistling a tune that made my skin crawl.

He made sure to stress ‘love,’ sending his message loud and clear. Like I could miss it.

It was all a performance to him—a one-man show, and I was the unwilling audience. My jaw ached from clenching so hard. I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face, but I forced myself to stay silent.

Madeline was my childhood sweetheart—my first love, the girl I’d always protected.

I remembered summer nights catching fireflies, her laughter ringing out as we raced along the lake. The way she’d squeeze my hand at the fair, or swipe my fries when she thought I wasn’t looking. For so long, she’d been my anchor in a world that kept shifting under my feet.

I chased her for ten years, spoiled her for ten years. She was supposed to be the woman I married…

Every birthday, every milestone, I was there with flowers, gifts, promises. I built my world around her, certain she’d always be there. Now, watching her defend Noah, the last decade felt like a bad joke played at my expense.

I hauled Madeline into my car, started the engine, and drove in silence, my thoughts a storm.

She slumped against the window, arms folded tight, staring out at the city lights blurring past. The engine’s rumble filled the silence, my hands aching from gripping the wheel.

Halfway home, she slouched deeper into the seat, her voice muffled and sulky.

She mumbled, thick with sleep and irritation. Her head rolled to the side, hair falling over her face. I kept my eyes on the road, heart pounding like a drum.

"Your brother, Noah… He suffered so much out there all these years. Now he finally has a home—can’t you treat him better?"