Into The Wrong Brother's Arms

Chapter 4

Rhiannon's POV

“What?!” I gasped, eyes wide and hands flying to my mouth.

Shit! I overreacted, but thankfully, she didn’t notice. Instead, she just nodded in agreement, as if my reaction were normal. “The entire family was in shock as well. Sir Rhys hasn’t come in almost three years, only to do this? It was so embarrassing.”

My body shook with terror.

I didn’t care about what Rhys did. Heck, I didn’t care about whatever shitty issue he had with his family or what they thought of him; what I cared about was what I did.

My screams had echoed throughout the house. I was that loud?

Good heavens!

How could I have been that shameless? Why didn’t I push him away or something? I had screamed instead.

But wait a moment? What did she just say? That was Rhys’s bedroom?

Oh God!

My body zoomed with a heat of shame that I wished the ground would open and swallow me whole. How could I have made such a reckless mistake? I had dug my own hole with my hands.

“And that woman?” Elowen continued in a whisper, oblivious of my predicament. “She vanished. No one knows who she was. We didn’t even know when she left. Sir Rhys didn’t even flinch or care when his parents scolded him. He is shameless just as always. I guess people don’t change.”

“That-That’s crazy.” I swallowed hard, avoiding Elowen’s gaze.

I guess that’s a good thing, right? If he is acting indifferent about it, then maybe that’s a good thing.

Let us both pretend it didn’t happen. After all, it was a mistake that shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

By the time we entered the dining hall. Everyone was already seated except Miles. Everyone, including Uncle John, Aunty Zorya, Malena, and a few of her friends. I’m sure more are on their way.

And then my heart nearly stopped when they landed on Rhys, sitting at the far end of the table, farther away from everyone. And looking at me with a smug, amused half-grin.

“At last, the lady of the moment is finally here.” He announced, loud enough for every head to turn my way. “Can we eat now?”

Heat rises to my cheeks as eyes fall on me.

That bastard.

He did that intentionally. That is who he was. What I fail to understand is what thrill he gained from singling me out in front of everyone?

Aunt Zorya gave me a warm, motherly smile that made my heart clench. She made her way toward me, taking my hands, and for that moment, everything that concerned Rhys slipped from my mind, replaced by a warm, unfamiliar yet familiar feeling I shared with this woman.

“I’m so sorry you had to celebrate your birthday all alone yesterday. We would have arrived earlier if my son had told us sooner that he was going to miss his flight.” She caressed my arm softly, and it took every ounce of restraint not to fall into tears.

I had looked forward to yesterday. Normally, I spent my birthdays at the Vaughn house, most times tailing Miles all day until I forgot it was even my birthday. But yesterday was different. I knew Miles was always busy, but I thought he’d at least spare some time for me. I even went as far as to book a cosy restaurant, hoping to finally confess my feelings, but look where that ended.

Seeing the pain in my eyes, Aunt Zorya squeezed my arm, bringing me back to the present. “I’m so sorry, dear. If it makes you feel better, I made sure to scold Miles and even called him a jerk to his face.”

A burst of laughter spilled from my lips. “No, you didn’t,” I gasped, shaking my head. For one thing, I had never seen Aunt Zorya curse at Miles. He was her golden son, while Rhys, well, was the opposite. Not that I blamed her. Rhys is just… unlovable.

“Well, I did.” She grinned back. “Now, come here and cut your cake.”

I took my seat next to her, which was unfortunately directly across from Rhys.

He was still staring. Still smirking. His eyes glinted with mischief.

Squaring my shoulder, I decided to ignore him even though I could still feel the burn of his eyes everywhere they touched my skin. I turned my attention to the moment. To the people I regard as family rather than my real ones.

My heart did the clenching thing again, and I allowed myself to dissolve into the moment instead of wallowing in self-pity about my parents, who don't really care about anything that concerns me. In fact, the only thing that concerns my parents about me currently is Miles. Because marrying him is the only achievement their useless child can get. However, that isn’t the reason I cling to Miles like a shadow; it’s because I truly love him and his family. Well, except Rhys, of course.

As they sang me a birthday song, which was cringy as heck, I couldn’t help the tears that formed in my eyes knowing fully well my parent never celebrated my birthday. They don’t even remember the date. Their focus is always and will always be on their golden daughter, who is my precious sister, the only one who remembers and celebrates with me, Calista.

“Why don’t you try the vanilla cake, Rhiannon?” Rhys said casually, eyes dancing with mischief as he took a slow bite. “It’s delicious. Reminds me of the one I had last night.”

“Y-You…!” I nearly shouted, but quickly managed to control myself.

My fingers clenched so tightly around the fork I thought it might snap.

He’s a f*****g asshole. A total jerk. How could he make a joke like that?

Everyone turned toward me, confused, and I sank lower in my seat, avoiding their stares.

“What are you even talking about?” Malena’s voice was soft but sharp with irritation. “Just because Rhiannon is respectful and calm, or because you’re a lowlife jerk, doesn’t mean you get to keep poking at everyone. Must you always make things worse with your presence?”

“Malena…” Uncle John warned.

“It’s even more upsetting that you’d dare compare her to the slut you were with last night.”

My stomach dropped with a loud thud, heat flooding my body in shame, but I didn’t dare look up.

I couldn’t even tell what I was supposed to feel as I was being protected and humiliated all at once.

“Relax, Malena.” Rhys let out a lazy chuckle, completely unfazed, while she continued glaring daggers at him. “I was only teasing. No offence intended.”

“Sure looks like that…”

“Malena!” Uncle John snapped. She went quiet, though her glare didn’t budge.

“And when will you stop being childish?” he turned on Rhys now, exasperated. “Imagine what would have happened if Miles were here, watching you tease his woman like this.”

“They’re just friends,” Rhys muttered under his breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear. Then, tilting his head mockingly, he added, “Speaking of Miles, I wonder why he isn’t here today? It’s a shame to leave his FRIEND all alone in a place she barely knows. She might start to feel neglected… lonely even. And then, who knows? She might end up doing something she isn’t supposed to do.”

My heart rate spiked even more, nails digging painfully into my palms.

Someone. Please. Make Rhys stop talking.

He is intentionally doing this. Drawing more attention to me than normal.

How stupid of me to think he’d let last night slide. Of course not. People like him never let things go; they’d taunt and corner you until you break and bend to their will.

I shouldn’t even be surprised if he tells everyone what happened.

But what would I do if he does?

No. No. I can’t let that happen. I love Miles too much. I’ve pictured us finally dating, getting married, building our little family. I won’t let a jerk like Rhys ruin that future.

“You’re right,” I said with a practised smile, feeling every eye turn to me. “Since everyone will be busy, would you mind showing me around later, Rhys? I’ve got something I need to get.”

My heart was racing again, nails now pressing into my thigh to keep my legs from bouncing. It took every ounce of courage I had just to say that.

“Oh?” Aunt Zorya blinked, clearly surprised.

I gave her my most harmless and innocent smile, one I tried to make reach my eyes. “I have some things I need to pick up,” I added, as casually as possible, praying they wouldn’t suspect anything.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Rhys looking caught off guard like the rest of his family. His brows shot up, but then he returned my smile with one just as polite and innocent.

“I’m not so sure, Rhia,” he said with a low chuckle. “My body’s still sore from last night. Maybe one of the maids should do it instead. They would be happy to.”

I clenched my teeth so hard it hurt.

This bastard.

Before I could answer, Uncle John cut in.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Do what Rhiannon asked! It wouldn’t hurt you to do one decent thing for once. You can’t just turn down a lady like that.”

Rhys laughed softly, eyes gleaming with amusement as he pinned me with a hard stare.

“Well… if Dad insists, I guess I have no choice.”

The way he said it made my skin prickly with alarm.

“Since when did you two get so close?” Aunt Zorya asked, her beady eyes flicking between us, mostly at Rhys with suspicion.

“No,” I blurted too quickly. “I-I mean, we’re not close at all. I just… he’s Miles’ twin brother and the only one free, so I thought it’d be okay if…”

Damn it. Shut up, Rhiannon.

Rhys slid in smoothly, still annoyingly amused.

“Well, I suppose I don’t have much choice,” he said, voice dripping with mock sincerity. “Wouldn’t want to disappoint my brother’s lovely best friend, now would I?”

A chill ran through the room, and down my spine.

What the heck have I gotten myself into!