Page 31

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

ASH

W e scrambled to clean ourselves up and get dressed, but considering the mess we were in, it wasn’t an easy feat. A third knock sounded through the door, sharp and insistent.

“Give me a fucking minute ,” I snapped, my voice rougher than I intended.

Ethan looked panicked, his eyes darting to mine. There was no excuse, no way to spin this into something innocent. I met his gaze one last time before reaching for the door. Ethan exhaled, shoulders squaring. He was right—there was no point in pretending. Might as well come clean.

The irony was not lost on me.

I pulled the door open, and there stood Oliver, inside the kitchen, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Except I knew. Knew that look—steely, controlled, brimming with silent fury. Not once in my life, not through all the fights we’d had lately, had I seen that expression directed at me .

Panic coiled in my chest.

Ethan stepped out beside me, standing his ground.

Oliver’s jaw clenched, his gaze flicking between us before his face darkened completely. “The fuck is this?”

I swallowed and forced myself to stay calm. “Let’s get out of the house,” I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.

Oliver exhaled harshly, rolled his eyes, and turned on his heel, heading straight for the doors. Ethan and I followed, our footsteps eerily loud in the thick, suffocating silence. He didn’t stop until we were outside, walking further still until we reached the beach, where the only sound was the waves crashing against the shore.

The temperature had dropped, but I barely felt it, cold sweat clinging to the back of my neck.

We stood there, the three of us, locked in an unbearable silence. But this wasn’t an easy quiet—it was the calm before the fucking storm.

Ethan looked pale but resolute, stubborn as ever. Poor guy was having the worst fucking day of his life, and it was all my fault.

Oliver shook his head slowly, the tension in his shoulders taut enough to snap. “I fucking knew it.”

“I know you don’t approve—” I began.

Oliver’s fury exploded before I could finish. “I don’t approve ? You’ve been lying this whole time. You promised me you weren’t going to do this, and my fucking wedding is tomorrow! You’re such a selfish asshole, Sebastian. Why the fuck couldn’t you do this one thing for me?”

His anger was like nothing I had ever seen before—unfiltered, and completely deserved.

“He’s not—” Ethan started to interject, but I held up a hand to stop him. He gave me an exasperated look, but I shook my head. I knew my brother. He needed to let it out before I could say anything.

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” I said simply. “I lied, and I did what you asked me not to.”

Oliver stared at me, his fury unwavering. “I don’t get what the hell has gotten into you lately. I feel like I don’t even know you anymore. You’re never here. And when you are, you’re either pissed off or so closed off you only grunt at me. You don’t give a shit about anyone but yourself—your ego, and whatever your fucking dick wants. Why couldn’t you just not do this for once? Do you have any idea what’s going to happen when Dad finds out? When my in-laws find out? I’m going to have to defend you to them while you ruin my fucking family before I’ve even said my vows!”

I stood there, taking it, letting every word cut through me. He wasn’t wrong. I had never felt guilt this sharp before. Ethan had been right too. I’d been lashing out for so long I didn’t even realize I was doing it anymore. I was turning into my father without even knowing it. And now, here I was, finally pushing Oliver to his breaking point—the most patient man I knew.

“You couldn’t even let me have this weekend?” Oliver spat, his voice breaking with emotion. “Does everything have to be about you, Sebastian? I’m getting married, and you fuck one of the groomsmen. I work for the family, and it’s all about your position in the company and your betrayal.”

I snuck a glance at Ethan. He was pale, looking like the sand could give out beneath him at any moment.

“No one is going to find out,” I said quietly.

Oliver laughed bitterly. “Of course they’re going to find out, Ash. I caught you fucking in the kitchen with absolutely no regard for who might hear. Judging by the racket, I’m surprised the whole house isn’t already awake. It’s only a matter of time.”

“I’m sorry about that. About all of it. We’ll be more careful,” I said quickly, trying to ease the tension.

Oliver froze mid-breath, staring at me like I’d lost my mind. “What?”

“We’ll be more careful,” I repeated. “I know this was stupid, especially with everyone in the house?—”

“What do you mean you’re going to be more careful?” Oliver interrupted.

I glanced at Ethan and then back at him, shrugging slightly. “No more sex in pantries?”

Oliver’s expression hardened, his voice dropping dangerously low. “Why are you talking like you’re going to keep doing it?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. The option of stopping this with Ethan had left me entirely. I hadn’t even considered lying about that, hadn’t thought to spin some story about how it was a one-time mistake. I just…couldn’t. Not after everything Ethan had been through today. Not after what he’d said.

“It’s not just sex,” Ethan said, stepping forward and placing a hand on my arm. “We want to be together, and it’s okay if no one else can know. We slipped up today—I was having a bad day, and Ash was just trying to make me feel better. It won’t happen again. I know what you heard didn’t help our case, but it’s not just sex.”

Ethan laced his fingers with mine, and Oliver’s gaze dropped to our hands, his expression unreadable. “I love him,” Ethan added softly.

My heart clenched at the quiet conviction in his voice. I tightened my grip on his hand, hoping it conveyed everything I couldn’t say in this moment.

“Oh my God.” Oliver ran a hand through his hair, turning away. “This can’t be fucking happening.”

“Oli.”

He whirled back to face me, his eyes wide with shock.

“The last thing I wanted was to hurt you,” I began. “I know how I’ve been acting, and I’m sorry. I know I’ve let my ego get the best of me, especially where Dad and work are concerned, but that’s not what this is. Ethan and me…this isn’t some ego play to prove I could get him. I know that’s what you’re thinking. And believe me, I’ve tried so fucking hard to fight against this, because I know the consequences. I knew I was going to hurt you. We were going to break it off before the wedding—for you. But I couldn’t do it.”

Oliver stared, his jaw slack.

Ethan squeezed my hand and stepped forward. “I know this probably isn’t the best argument, but he did break it off when you asked him. I pushed him to pick it back up because I really wanted this to work. I’m sorry—I didn’t want to mess up your wedding day. But he’s not selfish. He’s always thinking about the company and about you. He’s not selfish,” Ethan repeated, his voice steady even as his eyes shone with emotion.

He took another step toward Oliver. “And yeah, he can come off as an arrogant ass sometimes?—”

“Ethan—” I tried to cut in, but he shook his head.

“And maybe he is a little self-involved,” Ethan continued, “but that’s only because he’s trying to figure out how to do what’s best for everyone. He forgets he doesn’t have to shoulder it all alone. He trusts you more than anyone, Oli, but his way of protecting you is by taking everything off your plate without even asking if he should.”

I stared at Ethan, stunned. Judging by Oliver’s expression, he was just as floored.

“My point is, we didn’t handle this well. We lied, and we shouldn’t have. But it wasn’t ill-intentioned. I don’t know if that counts for anything, but I thought I’d put it out there,” Ethan finished, his voice softening.

I had no fucking clue how to follow that up. I’d thought Ethan couldn’t possibly surprise me any further, but here he was, laying everything bare. He got it. He got me.

Oliver stood silent, his anger simmering down as he took it all in. At least he wasn’t yelling anymore, and for now, that felt like progress.

“Ethan, could you give us a minute?” Oliver asked.

Ethan glanced up at me.

“It’s okay, darling. You should probably get to bed. We’ll talk tomorrow,” I said softly.

He gave my hand a gentle squeeze before turning to Oliver.

“I’m sorry, Oli,” he said before walking away.

I sighed heavily, watching him go.

“Ash.” Oliver’s voice was tight. “What the fuck?”

I let out a humorless chuckle. “I ask myself that daily.”

Oliver shook his head, exhaling sharply. “I don’t even know what to say. Are you two for real right now? Or are you just lying to get out of a fight?”

I met his gaze, unwavering. “I’m so fucking sorry for everything. I know things between us have been messed up. I was terrified of you coming to work with us because I didn’t want to ruin our relationship, and now…here we are. That’s on me. And this?” I gestured vaguely. “This is definitely on me too.”

Oliver let out a dry laugh, almost resigned. “Ethan’s right, Ash. It’s not just on you.”

“It is, though,” I insisted. “I’m supposed to protect you from all this bullshit, not fight against you. I’m so fucking fed up with him—Dad—and I’ve been taking it out on everybody. It’s not fair. And I’m sorry.”

Oliver studied me for a moment before speaking. “It’s okay.” His voice was softer now, but the look he gave me was unreadable.

“It’s not okay,” I said, laughing bitterly. “The funny thing is, Ethan is the reason I even realized I was doing it. He called me out on it. I’m not apologizing to get out of a fight, Oli. You deserve this apology. And I know I’m putting you in an impossible position. Trust me, if it could have been anyone else, I would have chosen them over Ethan. But it’s not in my hands. I can’t control it.”

Oliver narrowed his eyes. “What can’t you control?”

I exhaled, running a hand over my jaw. “Wanting to be with him. Not being the cause of his heartbreak. Giving him what he wants…” I trailed off.

Oliver made a small sound, something amused, something knowing.

“What?”

He shrugged, a half-smile tugging at his lips. “You don’t know how much I’ve wanted you to find someone. Not because of Dad or to get your mind off fucking around, but because I wanted you to have this. I didn’t want you to be alone. After Mom…you took on everything, Ash. I know why you picked that college. I know why you wanted the company. I know it was for us.”

A lump formed in my throat, and I turned away, blinking rapidly.

“I’m sorry for accusing you of being selfish. God knows you deserve better than that after everything you’ve done for us. But this past year? You closed off —from me, from Henry, from everyone. You let that job suck you in, let Dad sink his claws into you. I thought you didn’t care anymore. And I thought…maybe if you found someone, they could help you see that you deserve to be happy too. That you can want something for yourself without feeling guilty about it.” He looked out at the ocean for a long moment, then back at me. “I guess…careful what you wish for, right?”

That persistent burn behind my eyes flared up again. I took a steadying breath. “Careful what you wish for?” I echoed.

Oliver gave me a knowing look. “I wanted you to fall in love. Your choice in whom just really fucking sucks.”

I started to smile—until his words caught up with me. “I’m not. Ethan’s the one who’s—” I hesitated, shrugging. “He’s young. He doesn’t even know what’s what.”

Oliver rolled his eyes. “Don’t backtrack now, Ash.”

“I’m not, it’s just?—”

“Ash.” Oliver’s voice was gentler now, but firm. “You’re in love with him.”

It wasn’t a question. And fuck, did that feel like a punch to the gut.

I exhaled shakily, feeling lightheaded from this whole goddamn day. I dropped down onto the sand. Oliver followed, sitting beside me in silence.

The waves rolled in, steady and unbothered, while my world fucking tilted.

I stared at the horizon, my mind running in circles. Who the hell was I trying to fool at this point? It was so jarringly obvious, it was almost comical.

Finally, I let out a slow breath and accepted my own goddamn defeat. “Yeah. I love him.”

Oliver huffed, shaking his head. “I figured.” He went quiet for a beat. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to deal with this.”

“But…we’re good?” I asked, offering my hand.

Oliver gave me a small smile before pulling me into a hug. “We’re endgame, Ash. I can fucking hate you and love you at the same time. Nothing is ever going to break that.” His voice was quiet, but certain.

Relief swelled in my chest, settling deep.

Then, “Just stop fucking in common areas.”

I barked out a laugh, shoving his shoulder. “I love you, too, little brother. I’m sorry for lying.”

Oliver shrugged. “Thanks for apologizing.”

“Any time.”

He inhaled deeply, his expression shifting into something more determined. “As long as I have you here, all docile and loving?—”

I smirked. “What do you need, Oli?”

“I don’t want you to think I’m ungrateful, Ash. I know what you’ve sacrificed for us. But we need to talk about the company. And Dad. We really need to talk about this.”

I looked down at my feet, burying my toes in the sand. That hollow feeling clawed at my chest again, the one that came every time I thought about my father.

“I want to make sure your future is safe,” I said. “It’s not that I don’t believe in what we do?—”

“Ash, you and Dad can’t keep working together,” he cut in. “You know it. He knows it. His whole strategy is being an asshole until you get fed up enough to quit. And you’re letting him win.”

“I’m not leaving you with this burden.”

“This burden is a better fit for me,” he said gently.

I met his gaze. “Oli…”

“We’re more aligned. And it’s not even happening tomorrow. I still need experience. But you can’t keep fighting against him like this, because at some point? You’re really going to explode. And I don’t want to lose you. I just want my brother back.”

I closed my eyes and scrubbed my hands down my face. This weight had been pressing down on me for so long, I couldn’t even remember what it felt like to breathe without it.

But Oliver was right. Henry had been right.

And I was so, so fucking tired.

I exhaled slowly. “I want that, too, Oli. I’ll think about it, okay? I promise.”

“Maybe it’s time to stop thinking about us, and think about what you want from life, Ash. What do you want?”

I had no idea.

We sat in silence for a long moment until Oliver chuckled.

I turned to him. “What?”

“I still can’t wrap my head around this. Ethan? ”

I snorted. “He’s deceptively fierce. He didn’t really leave me much of a choice.”

Oliver smiled, still looking baffled. “He talked you into it?”

“Believe it or not, yeah. He doesn’t take shit from anybody —including me.”

Oliver shook his head. “He’s nineteen, Ash.”

“Trust me, I’m well aware.”

His face turned serious again. “You know this has to be a secret, right? Not just for a little while. Years. ”

I nodded. “We know. I’ll keep him safe, Oli.”

Oliver hesitated. “If my father-in-law finds out?—”

“He’ll lose his mind,” I finished. “Ethan’s worried about that too.”

Oliver was quiet for a beat, then squared his shoulders. “We’ll make sure it doesn’t get out.”

I gave him a grateful look.

And just like that, the weight on my chest lifted. My brothers were back in my corner.

And there was no better feeling in the world.

* * *

The wedding was beautiful. One of those rare, perfect events where nothing went wrong. The weather was just right—not too warm, not too cool. Every guest arrived without issue. The wedding planner had her army of workers running things seamlessly, ensuring the day unfolded like a dream.

While Charlotte and her bridesmaids got ready, we stayed with Oliver, drinking and dressing in the comfort of a judgment-free zone. Oliver and I were better than ever, though he still shot me and Ethan the occasional funny glance. Henry, relieved to no longer be caught in the middle of our secret, chatted animatedly about how he had seen it coming all along and had been rooting for us from the start.

Ethan laughed easily, his face unburdened for the first time in what felt like forever. His father wasn’t there, and the absence showed in the looseness of his shoulders, the way he stayed close to my side without second-guessing it. I hadn’t stopped thinking about the pantry—about the way he’d unraveled me completely. It was out of character for me, but I had loved every second of it. Something about Ethan—about being with him—made me feel free, liberated in a way I hadn’t known I could be. With him, I could step out of my own head and just feel. I didn’t have to plan everything, control everything. I could just be .

As we stood, waiting for our cue to head to the church, I glanced down at him, marveling at how seamlessly he had become part of my world. Our world. No one had ever gotten this close. And it felt right, knowing he was here to stay. Even if we didn’t work out, even if things between us changed, this day bound us together forever. That thought gave me an unexpected sense of peace.

The setting was breathtaking, but not because of the ocean sunset or the endless display of flowers. It was Oliver and Charlotte—the way they looked at each other, the way their love filled every inch of space around them.

During the ceremony, I stood beside Ethan, watching as he got teary-eyed at his sister’s vows. My chest tightened, pride and overwhelming emotion mixing together as I watched my brother marry the love of his life. Oliver deserved this. This kind of love. I couldn’t have been happier for him if I tried.

At the reception, as I delivered yet another speech, my gaze swept over the crowd—but I kept finding the same pair of familiar baby blues.

Maya had arrived this morning, and her presence had helped settle him.

I lifted my glass, waiting for everyone to follow suit.

“To finding peace,” I said, my voice steady as my gaze locked onto Ethan’s. “To that moment when your soul finally settles into its home. There is no better feeling in the world than finding the other half of yourself.”

A knowing silence stretched between us before I cleared my throat and turned to the married couple, chuckling at the equally besotted expressions they wore.

“I wish you both all the happiness in the world,” I continued, raising my glass. “To the newlyweds.”

Glasses clinked around us, but I barely noticed. When I met Ethan’s gaze again, his lips curled into a small, secret smile. His look told me everything I needed to know—we had to find a way to be alone tonight, even if only for a little while.

I wasn’t ready to let him in on just how much he meant to me. Not yet. But I was feeling it. The love.

Maybe when we were back in the city, when it was just us and my bed. Maybe then all the white noise would fade, and I’d finally be able to give in.

By the time most guests were well past drunk, and others had started filtering out, we finally found a secluded corner. We didn’t talk much, choosing instead to lose ourselves in slow, heated kisses—his hands in my hair how he liked, and my body pressed against his like I needed . Just two more days. Two more days, and we could disappear into our own little world.

I mentioned taking another trip, getting away from the city again, and Ethan was all in. But when I told him I planned to finally make good on my promise to lock him in my room, then he was even more willing.

* * *

The next morning, we gathered for breakfast while most of the family nursed wicked hangovers—Ethan included. The newlyweds had stayed at the venue, tucked away in their private suite.

“There’s an article being published on the wedding,” Henry announced, scrolling through his phone.

“Considering the number of pictures they took, I thought they’d take their time with that one,” I said, lazily buttering my toast.

“It was the event of the season,” Ethan’s mother chimed in proudly. “They probably had it written beforehand.”

“Henry, hand me the paper,” our father demanded.

“It won’t be printed yet,” I smirked, earning a sharp look from him.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

Once.

Then again.

And again.

I frowned, pulling it out. Aria calling. I ignored it, shooting her a quick text about breakfast before slipping my phone back in my pocket.

“It’s supposed to be out already. They sent a link,” Henry added.

“Let me see,” Ethan said, leaning over Henry’s shoulder.

Another buzz. Then another.

I sighed, unlocking my phone to check her message.

Aria

MAYDAY MAYDAY

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A link was attached.

Frowning, I clicked it open.

“Holy fucking shit,” Henry exhaled, his voice cutting through the room.

Everyone turned to him, startled, but he was staring at me. His wide-eyed expression said it all. Beside him, Ethan had gone pale as a sheet, his eyes glued to Henry’s phone.

“What—” My voice faltered as I looked down at my phone. The article loaded, and everything around me faded into static.

It wasn’t about the wedding.

It was about us.

The screen filled with pictures—too many to count. The largest one, positioned directly under the bold, screaming headline, sent a chill down my spine.

The Ultimate Betrayal: Langley’s Heir’s Scandalous Romance with Teenage Brother-in-Law Exposed Right After the ‘I Dos!’

The image was of Ethan and me in my car, taken in front of his building the day we arrived home from our trip. My hands were cradling his face, our lips pressed together. I knew, seconds later, he had lifted his own hands to cover mine, but they had chosen this shot instead—one that made it look like I was gripping him, forcing him.

There were more photos. Dozens of them. Every time I thought we were being discreet, someone had been waiting, watching, documenting it all. Every moment, every glance, every touch had been saved for this—to drop it at the most devastating possible moment. The day after the wedding.

The entire world was looking at us now.

A murmur rose around the table, voices bleeding into a dull roar as time stretched unnaturally slow. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, drowning everything else out.

This couldn’t be happening.

I forced myself to look up, and my dad’s cold, unreadable stare met mine from across the table. His phone was clenched tightly in his hand, his knuckles white.

I opened my mouth, unsure what I could possibly say to fix this. But before I could get a word out, Ethan’s dad stood and punched me square in the face.

Then all hell broke loose.