PROMISED TO THE WRONG BROTHER

CHAPTER 7

ETHAN'S POV

Shortly after I received the message, I rushed out of the gala. My hands wouldn't stop shaking as I put a call across to my pilot.

What exactly happened to my mother? Has she been battling with something that I didn't know?

If anything happened to her...

I shook my head. No. I refused to finish that thought.

My grip on the steering wheel tightened. My gaze focused on the road as I stepped on the accelerator. I ran my hands through my hair as I breathed heavily.

My muscles tensed as I felt Belle's hands touch my hands.

"Calm down baby, nothing bad will happen to..."

I gritted my teeth and my eyes darkened, "get your hands off me."

She snapped her mouth shut and withdrew her hand.

Soon we arrived at our family estate. My heart raced frantically. My breath hitched, as our gate came into view.

I sucked in a sharp breath. The images of me driving out of this same gate eight years ago flashed through my eyes. Millions of thoughts ran through my head.

As I drove into the compound, my forehead creased into a frown. Different people walked around holding drinks and the compound was decorated.

"I thought your mum collapsed, so what's going on?" I heard Belle ask but I was rather occupied with other questions in my head.

I parked my car and as soon as I stepped out, flashes of camera lights disturbed my vision.

"Look, it's Ethan!" He finally returned home.

"The family must be happy that he joined in the celebration after all. He can't escape it!"

People murmured amongst themselves.

Celebration?

I maintained a blank face even though my heart threatened to escape the confines of my chest.

I shoved both my arms in my pockets and Belle linked her hand around mine as we made our way inside.

My steps were measured unlike my thoughts. I looked around for the traces of my mother.

"Is that not the supermodel Belle? They look so good together,"

I didn't pay attention to the rest of the gossip as I gently removed my hand from hers. Enough not to cause a scene. After all, I can't mess up everything I'm trying to protect.

"Stay here," I ordered in a low voice.

Belle grinned and pecked my cheek before I could object. I clenched my teeth. My stomach churned.

Belle disobeyed me. How many more of my rules is she willing to break?

She was getting too comfortable.

These attentions were not something I was ready to entertain.

"Ethan, son?" I heard my mother's voice from behind me.

I gulped and froze. Her voice was the same as before, soft and unrushed.

Slowly, I turned to look at her and there she was. Eight years since I left this house and five years since I last saw her.

I was fighting a battle in my head. My nails dug into my flesh. I was stuck between running into her arm and maintaining the line I've drawn between us.

She took the initiative to close the distance between us. Her eyes were teary but she restrained herself.

She held my arms gently. She didn't voice it out but I knew what she wanted, so I lowered my head and she pressed a kiss to my forehead.

After we pulled away I raised my eyebrows. My eyes were void of emotions. It was good to see her but I thought she collapsed.

"What's happening?" I asked in a low voice. As that was the question my head was screaming for me to ask.

She looked around us and waved people off. "Come with me son," she held my hand and pulled me away from the crowd.

Together we went to the back of the house. It was deserted.

"You've not answered my question, mother," I demanded as I steadied my breath.

She ignored me. Instead, looked and touched me like she couldn't believe I was the one standing before her. Her tears started rolling, but smiling in-between.

"Ethan..." She called out with a cracked voice. "You came." She cried and hugged me tightly.

The walls I've been building all these years finally cracked a bit. I balled my hands into fists.

I fought not to have any weakness. It would be unfair for my efforts to go into waste but... She's my mother.

I closed my eyes and patted her back gently for a few seconds before I stopped.

"Are you not supposed to be at the hospital?" I questioned.

She paused and broke the hug. Mum looked up at me and raised her eyebrow. Confusion flooding through her eyes.

"Hospital? Why would I go to the hospital?" She mumbled.

I opened my mouth to talk but the words got stuck. Have I been tricked again?

Instead of answering, I fished out my phone from my pocket and showed her the message without a word.

Different emotions flashed through her face at the same time and realization. She widened her eyes and covered her mouth with her hand.

Hoping it's not what I was thinking.

"I'm so sorry Ethan but do not be angry," she started apologizing instead of explaining.

"Why are you apologizing to him, Bianca?" His cold voice cut through the tense air. I didn't bother to look at him because I can't guarantee that I won't lose my temper with him.

"What did you do, Williams?" Mum snapped at him.

He walked closer. "Exactly what every good father will do to keep his family together," he replied casually.

I blinked slowly. He hasn't changed a bit. Unremorseful. Controlling. Hateful.

"Don't you dare touch me!" Mum seethed, followed by the sound of a slap and continued, "you lied against me just to bring him here because you know he wouldn't ignore me? How could you?"

I looked ahead, not blinking. My hands trembled by my side. My blood boiled, yet I felt numb at the same time.

"How dare you trick him again after the stunt you pulled with Ava years ago?" Mum questioned with a cracked voice?

"What does my fiancée have to do with anything?" Noah whistled as he walked in.

Mum sniffled and wiped her tears. I gasped as something twisted hard in my chest. Noah doesn't even know what's going on.

"It's nothing Noah. Your brother finally showed up all these years for your engagement to Ava. He still cares?" Mr. William informed.

Ava. Engagement. The realization was like a bullet that pierced my heart. My veins popped.

"Really?" Noah stood before me grinning and hugged me tightly. My body goes rigid.

"My big brother still cares about me," Noah laughed.

I began to hyperventilate but tried to keep it hidden.

What am I supposed to do and feel? The woman I love is finally getting engaged to my brother and he seemed especially happy about it.

How can I ever hurt him like that?

No one ever cared about me including Ava.

Why show mercy when I never got any?

"Hello everyone, Miss Ava is ready!" A young lady announced.

Her voice added to the tension instead of cutting it down.