After He Tricked Me Blind, I Slept His Bro

Chapter 1

When I returned home, I painted my lips with the most vibrant, seductive shade of crimson. Then, I slipped into my classic Chanel silk nightgown, letting the smooth fabric drape over my skin.

The woman in the mirror looked radiant, her eyes clear, sharp, and full of life.

Perfect. Everything was set. The moment I heard the click of the front door lock, I flipped the switch and plunged the room into darkness.

"Scarlett, it is me," Ethan's voice echoed from the foyer. It was deep, tightly controlled, and heavy with exhaustion.

I walked toward the sound barefoot, my steps silent on the floor. "Darling, you are back," I murmured, stepping into his space.

I wrapped my arms around his waist without hesitation. Instantly, Ethan froze completely.

Throughout my two years of marriage, I had always been reserved, behaving as cold as an iceberg.

Faced with my sudden, fiery passion, he was visibly caught off guard, entirely unprepared for the shift.

"Scarlett, are you okay?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

I lifted my chin, pressing my face close to the warmth of his neck. "I'm fine," I whispered. "I just realized how much I missed you."

Ethan's breathing turned heavy and ragged, and I could hear the distinct sound of him swallowing hard in the quiet room.

"Scarlett, stop," he said softly, putting some distance between us as he gently pushed me back.

I knitted my brows together, feigning deep hurt and rejection. "Adrian, ever since I lost my sight, you have not touched me once. Are you sick of me now? Have you grown tired of me?"

Ethan fell silent for two agonizing seconds. "No, Scarlett, you are overthinking this. You were in a terrible car accident a year ago, and your body still has not fully recovered. I am only worried that you cannot handle the physical strain."

I let out a soft, teasing laugh. Rising on my tiptoes, I reached up and slowly unbuttoned the top collar of his shirt.

"My body healed a long time ago, Adrian. I can handle it. It has been over a year, darling. It must have been so difficult for you to hold back, too."

Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed nervously. "It was fine," he managed to choke out.

I leaned in closer, exhaling a warm, soft breath right against his throat.

"Tonight, let's..."

Suddenly, Ethan's phone began to ring, vibrating loudly between us. He stepped back with an unmistakable air of profound relief.

"I need to take this first," he said hurriedly, clutching the phone as he strode toward the balcony.

I slipped quietly behind the curtains, tracking his movements. From the speaker, Adrian's lazy, arrogant voice drifted into the cool night air.

"Ethan, tomorrow is my grandmother's birthday party. I am switching shifts with you for the day."

Ethan paused for two seconds before responding quietly, "Alright."

"By the way, fill me in on what has been happening between you and Scarlett lately. I do not want to blow our cover when I step back in."

In the background of the call, a chorus of rowdy laughter erupted. "Adrian, you spend every single day dating Mia while you leave Ethan to keep Scarlett company. Who do you actually love more?"

Adrian dismissed the question with a scornful chuckle. "How can Scarlett even compare to Mia? She chased me for years, clinging to me like someone I could never shake off. Mia, on the other hand, made a real effort to win me over. If it weren't for my grandmother being so fond of Scarlett, I never would have married her in the first place."

Standing hidden behind the thick drapes, I clenched my fists so hard that my fingernails cut deep into my palms, leaving painful half-moon marks.

I had devoted five whole years of my youth to chasing Adrian, from the age of 20 to 25.

I used to believe that walking down the aisle with him was the beginning of my fairytale, but it turned out to be the prologue to a living nightmare.

The man who had shared my home, my space, and my darkest nights for the past year was actually Ethan.

My entire marriage was nothing more than a pathetic, elaborate joke.

But I refused to let anyone laugh at my expense. Since they were so eager to put on a grand performance, I would gladly play along and see this twisted game through to the very end.