Claimed By My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter Three

Just as she was about to swipe my card, a hand reached out to take it. My blood boiled as I turned around ready to question the person, but the words died in my throat.

The person in front of me was so good looking, he had to be from another world. Black hair, black eyes, a mole on his earlobe making it seem like he was born with an earring. The person in front of me was Kael, the last time I'd seen him I was just fifteen and still running after Rylan. Although I couldn't remember what he was doing at my family's estate, that was the only time he came over.

I stared at the man in front of me in stunned silence. He could easily beat every celebrity in the entertainment world with his looks. I was still in a trance until he spoke.

“Put the dress on my tab.” His husky voice cut through the silence, his gaze never leaving my face. Still confused as to why he was here and paying for my dress, I took a deep breath.

“Mr. Whitmore, people might get the wrong idea.” I focused on his polished shoes, unable to meet his gaze.

His tone carried a hint of amusement as he stared at me. “Miss Bennett, I never knew you liked such provocative outfits.” His left eyebrow raised, waiting for my reply.

I ignored him. It felt like I was fifteen again. Kael always teased me because I was slightly on the chubbier side than most girls my age. Now that I think about it, we've always been in a constant, low-level war, every interaction between us was a subtle test of wills. So there was no way he just paid for the dress to help me. He was clearly showing off.

“If that's all I'll be heading out now with my mum.” I walked up to mum's side, she still looked shocked like she went through hell and back. We didn't care about Vivian still being there or the fact that I just ignored Whitmore Holdings CEO. I was pretty sure my brother would have my head for dinner but I couldn't care less. I could still feel his gaze on me, even as we walked out the front door.

After exploring more shops with mum, we settled at a cafe for lunch. In my past life I was very picky about my food trying to maintain my figure for Rylan, and in the end I missed out on a lot of things. Having a second chance was great.

Over the next hour, we drifted between stories of my childhood and recent events. She talked about how we were all together with dad before he brought a daughter one year older than me and her mother. I listened more than I spoke, storing every little detail like it might help me later.

What surprised me most was how careful she was not to mention Rylan or the engagement. As if talking about it would curse the peace we’d just started to rebuild. I appreciated that.

Later that evening, I was in my room staring at the ceiling, my fingers still sticky from buttered popcorn. Isa’s message popped up just before I could toss my phone aside

Isa: Come out. Just one drink. You need it. No excuses.

I hesitated.

In my past life, I would’ve said no. I would’ve curled up with my journal and a thousand what-ifs. But this version of me wasn’t going to hide behind fear. I was tired of letting ghosts dictate my movements.

I texted back: Fine. Just one.

The dress I picked was soft but confident, black, with a low back and long sleeves. When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t see someone broken. I saw someone preparing for change. Not with fists, but with presence.

I walked up to my brother's room door, knocked and asked him to drive me. Ethan just stared at me like I was out of my mind. He held my gaze for two minutes before going to get changed. In the car, he finally spoke.

“I heard you bumped into Kael today.” Of course mum told him. I’d be surprised if she didn't.

“We didn't bump into each other, he came over on his own. He could've chosen to ignore us.”

Ethan sighed, I knew what he was thinking. Kael’s behaviour today was unlike him, we normally would pass by each other on the street without so much as a word of greeting. I still couldn't figure out why he showed up and paid for the dress.

In my previous life his presence was always faint, and except for that one time he came to the estate, I barely saw him. Only on TV. I think Ethan mentioned something about him getting into an arranged marriage because of his grandfather, never knew how it ended but it sure was a sore topic for Ethan.

Lost in thought, we arrived at the bar. After some stern warnings from Ethan he drove off.

The bar was dimly lit and full of heat, music thumping low, people laughing, couples pressed close. Isa found us a booth tucked near the back, and for a while, it actually felt... fun. We toasted to fresh starts and “hot girl awakenings.” I even let myself go.

But peace doesn’t last.

It started with a prickle on my skin, the kind you get when you’re being watched. I turned toward the entrance and my breath caught.

Rylan.

He stood like nothing had changed. Expensive coat slung over his shoulder, that same cruel smirk tugging at the edge of his lips. And beside him, clinging to his arm like a perfectly placed accessory, was Vivian.

They hadn’t seen me yet, but my heart was already sprinting.

Isa followed my gaze. “Don’t panic,” she said, but her grip on her glass tightened.

I couldn’t breathe. My past life crashed into my present like a car with no brakes. The humiliation. The betrayal. The way they looked at me like I was disposable.

I turned away, but it was too late. Rylan’s eyes locked on mine, and Vivienne’s smirk widened.

She walked over immediately, smiling from ear to ear. “Elara! Don't tell me you followed Rylan all the way here and dressed like that?”

I wondered how her brain worked sometimes, did her face not hurt from all that fake smiling. I chose to ignore her. We've already had our confrontation at the department store earlier today and I wouldn't like to ruin my mood further.

Rylan just kept staring at me, my heart was beating faster than a race car. This was the man I once loved, the same man who betrayed me and gave my heart to my step sister. My heart twisted in pain at the memory. You don't have to use anesthetic, just rip the heart out.

My breathing became shallow as I tried so hard to steady myself. Maybe it was the cup of margarita I just had, but my legs shook violently. I tried walking past them to leave the bar but Vivian stepped in front of me with fake concern dripping in her voice.

“Elara you don't look too good, is it because Rylan refused to take you with him for the business trip that you decided to throw a tantrum and call off the engagement?”

At her words Rylan frowned, clearly believing that was the reason I called it off. “Elara, why can't you be more like Vivian? She's so understanding and definitely doesn't throw a tantrum at irrelevant things.”

At his words, my fists clenched involuntarily. Vivian's smile grew wider. Before I could respond Isa, already fed up with the two, stepped in.

“Rylan, can you call yourself a man? What kind of fiance does this? taking his wife-to-be's sister to a bar? Siding with her every word?”

I fought to keep my head clear. My heart hammered, urging me to lash out, but I bit the inside of my cheek and forced myself to breathe. Isa had done enough. I looked Rylan in the eye, took a slow breath, and made sure every word came out cold.

“Rylan, you're no longer my type. I don't like picking up trash I throw out. But other people can have them”

They both froze.

Vivienne, ever the actress, walked up to me with wide eyes and trembling hands.

“Sister, there's nothing going on between me and Rylan. You've misunderstood me. I'm sorry, it’s all my fault this happened.”

She let a few tears spill, and I almost rolled my eyes. If she’d taken up acting professionally, she’d have won an award for performances like this.

I tried to shake her off, but just as I did, she let herself fall backward, making it look like I pushed her.

“Elara!” she wailed. “I really didn't mean for this to happen. Rylan still loves you very much but you said all these things and…”

Rylan was by her side in seconds, dramatic as ever.

“You’ve gone too far. She was trying to comfort you! How could you push her?”

I scoffed, turning my face away from the charade. I looked at Isa and gave her a tiny nod, signaling I was done here.

We had barely taken one step when his voice rang out again.

“Elara, apologise to Vivian and I'll let everything that has happened so far slide. I'll even forget this pathetic act you're putting on and we'll hasten the preparations for the wedding.”

I stopped in my tracks. Turned around, frustration and anger boiling in my chest.

“I’m not going to apologise, Rylan. I did nothing wrong. And if your eyes can’t see that, then maybe you should get them checked. Besides, you chose your mistress over me. So how is any of this my fault?”

His jaw clenched, and before I co

uld register it, he lunged forward, hand raised.

I froze. Eyes shut, too slow to react. The slap never came.