Loyalty and Desire: The Twin's Forbidden Attractions

Chapter 5: Part of the Family

Zoey gazed at the man lying in bed before her in amazement, unable to tear her gaze away. His apology on behalf of his brother and the manner in which he seemed to care for her well-being painted a starkly different picture of the man she had encountered the previous night.

Memories of her husband's fierce and terrifying behavior from the day before flooded her mind, and she couldn't believe that this same man lying before her was the same one she had encountered in the dark hallway outside her bedroom door.

It was like meeting two different people. Gone was the violent, strong man who demanded she fulfills her wifely duties, and in his place was a gentle, frail man looking at her with kindness and expecting a response to his suggestion.

Lost in thought, she nodded unconsciously, now feeling a sense of guilt wash over her as her feet brought her to Ryan's bed of their own violation. Taking his scarred hand in hers before either brother could react, Zoey held it apologetically, feeling a sense of remorse for the turmoil she had inadvertently caused with her actions.

“Ryan, I'm sorry for my attitude last night and for what happened this morning. I only wanted to bring you breakfast, but now it's all over the floor.” She cringed as though embarrassed by everything and then quickly added, “But you can be rest assured that I will take good care of you. This won't happen again.”

In the dim light of the room, Zoey didn't see the shock in Ryan's eyes before he shot his brother an inquisitive glance. All she heard was his response and the gentle reassuring squeeze of his hand around her fingers.

"Don't worry about it, Zoey. Now go and eat and change in preparation for your visit with your family."

Zoey smiled at him, feeling a sense of relief and gratitude wash over her. But as she turned to leave, her gaze fell upon the broken plates and food strewn about the floor once more. She turned back to Ryan and asked, "Can I still bring you breakfast? Not just today?"

The deep frown between Evan's brows intensified immediately. He didn't want Zoey near his brother, let alone getting too close and familiar with him. "No. You may not," he clipped.

Almost at the same time, Ryan interjected, "OK, but the disinfectant in the room smells very heavy. I don't want you staying too long."

Zoey looked between the two brothers before resting her gaze on Ryan, a soft smile gracing her lips as she indicated that she would take Ryan's response over Evan's. With a final nod, she turned to leave, feeling Evan's eyes boring into her back as she made her exit.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Evan turned to his brother, his expression confused. "Ryan, what are you doing? You know this will probably allow her to find out..." He let the sentence hang, shaking his head in disbelief.

Ryan smiled, an awkward tilt of his lips that tugged at Evan's heartstrings. Then his brother gently shook his head, before chastising him. "Zoey has been a kind soul since she was a little girl. Even if she knows our secret, she will not spread it."

Evan's sneer grew as he watched his brother's eyes light up with adoration when he spoke of Zoey. He shook his head in disbelief. "You always see the best in everyone, Ryan. But not everyone deserves your love or trust. Zoey is not worthy of either, and I will make sure she shows you her true colors."

He turned on his heel and strode out of the room, his blood boiling with anger. The thought of Zoey corrupting his brother's innocent heart made him see red. How dare she try to get close to him?

But as he reached for the doorknob, Ryan's calm voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Don't forget to accompany Zoey on her visit."

Evan whipped around, his eyes blazing. "I don't have time to play chaperone. I have a company to run."

Ryan's expression remained serene, almost too serene. "I know. But it's important that you go with her. For me."

***

Zoey's heart raced as she laid eyes on the Newman family home looming ahead. Despite having spent her childhood within its walls, it felt as though she was seeing it for the very first time.

The contrast between the Abarough villa and the two-story house was impossible to ignore. The Newman house, with its expansive windows and blooming rose bushes, was by no means small or simple in appearance, but it paled in comparison to the grandeur of the Abarough estate.

The car slowed down in front of the large front door, where she could see four figures waiting for her. Their smiling faces only heightened her anxiety, making her feel like a prisoner being led to her execution.

She tried to calm her nerves by clasping her hands on her lap, but her insides continued to churn with unease. This visit was not of her own accord, but rather an obligation that came with her marriage.

As a new bride, it was customary for her to visit her family and show respect and gratitude for the years they raised her. The visit was supposed to be made with her husband, so he, too, could show his gratitude. Unfortunately, Ryan was not well and Evan could not be convinced to accompany her, and now she was left to face the Newmans alone.

Zoey's mind raced as she considered what she should say and how she should act. She knew that her aunt's family did not like her and that they were likely to treat her with hostility. She couldn't help but wonder why she had been obligated to maintain the practice if they didn't want her there. Their only interest was her husband, and he wasn’t with her.

As the car came to a stop, Zoey took a deep breath and prepared herself for what was to come. She knew that this visit would not be easy, but she was determined to make the best of it. At least for her own sake.

She looked at the four people waiting at the door again. Her uncle, Kevin, stood next to Aunt Rebecca, a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair. He looked extremely sharp in his blue dress shirt, as though he was about to attend a formal meeting.

Aunt Rebecca also looked overdressed in a green wrap-around dress and heels. There wasn’t a strand of her dark hair out of place on her head. A gold necklace hung from her neck, blinking in the sunlight.

Her two cousins, Gina and Sebastian, stood next to their parents, dressed in their Sunday best. Gina, with her pale pink dress and beautifully styled hair, appeared to be ready to walk down a catwalk, exuding elegance and grace.

They all held a smile on their faces, however, when Zoey was the only one stepping out of the car, the smiles on the Newmans’ faces collapsed instantly.

As Zoey stepped out of the car, the sun shone down on her, casting a spotlight on her nervousness. Her heart raced as she felt the eyes of the Newmans fixed on her. She straightened her dress, took a deep breath, and walked towards them.

Uncle Kevin's piercing eyes scrutinized her from head to toe, and Zoey felt like she was under a microscope. Aunt Rebecca's forced smile did nothing to hide the disdain in her eyes. Her cousin, Sebastian, was more subtle in his contempt, but Zoey could still feel it.

Gina, however, had no time for subtlety or patience. Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed on Zoey as she demanded, "Where is your husband? Why didn't he come?"

Zoey sneered in her heart but her voice was calm as she responded, “Ryan was not well today and couldn't make it, but my husband sends his regards. I came alone."

Gina’s glare intensified, as though she wished she could exterminate Zoey with her eyes. "I can’t believe you married a crippled just to marry into the Abarough family. You are so shameless.”

For once, Zoey refused to rise to the bait and forced herself to remain calm. After all, the truth of the matter was that, when Aunt Rebecca first heard one of the Abarough brothers was looking for a bride, Gina had been the first choice. And her cousin had been all for the idea, especially since she had always had a crush on Ryan Abarough for years.

But then, they found out about the fire and Ryan’s injuries and Gina wasn’t interested anymore. Aunt Rebecca had automatically turned to Zoey as the solution to still marrying into the Abarough family.

So Zoey knew that despite Gina’s refusal to marry a "crippled" man, she was talking more from the point of jealousy than simple hate toward Zoey. And Zoey wasn’t going to let her cousin have the last word. Not this time.

Her chin lifted with defiance, “It is you who had a problem with the man’s physical state. I married him.”

While everyone else seemed shocked at Zoey’s sudden ability to stand up for herself, Gina reacted by stepping forward and raising her hand as though to slap Zoey.

At that very moment, another voice cut through the air and froze everyone. Including Gina with her arm still up in the air.

“Gina, what do you think you are doing?”

Zoey bit her lip and tried to keep her emotions in check at the sound of that deep, commanding voice she recognized so easily. She turned and saw the tall, handsome man step out of the Rolls Royce that she hadn’t heard drive up to the house and park behind the car that had brought her.

Long strides brought the man quickly to Zoey’s side, and he reached out and grabbed her elbow before firmly putting her behind his tall frame, away from Gina.

Cold eyes then focused on Zoey’s uncle. “Mr. Newman, teach your daughter never to touch a member of the Abarough family.”