PROMISED TO THE WRONG BROTHER

CHAPTER 8

AVA'S POV

"Babe, there you're," Noah's voice jolted me out of my thoughts. My gaze shifted from Ethan to him. He was grinning ear from ear as if he wasn't the man who threatened me.

Smile Ava. Force it if you have to.

I bit my inner cheek and the corners of my lips finally tugged into a smile. It wasn't small or exaggerated. Just enough to hide under the mask of elegance.

Noah stood beside me and placed his hand at the low of my back. Goosebumps crept onto my skin and I hiccupped a bit.

"Ethan is here for our engagement party. Come greet your soon to be brother-in-law," he urged and led me down the stairs.

I gulped, still maintaining my robotic smile that didn't reach my eyes. My heart raced.

We finally stood before him and his parents gathered. The people in here earlier had all gone outside.

"Ava, do you still remember your big brother Ethan?" Ethan's father asked grinning from ear to ear but his mother pinched him.

It was secretive but I saw it.

I directed my gaze back to Ethan and his eyes were void of emotions. His face was blank and his shoulders were squared.

He just stood there looking at me like a block of stone. Not once did he blink. I clutched onto my dress to steady myself.

I felt so insignificant under the weight of his gaze.

"Hello, Ethan. It's been a long time," I said in a calm voice. I was trying my best not to let my emotions get the best of me because it wouldn't end well.

Ethan stared at my stretched out hand but didn't take it. Like I wasn't worth a handshake from him.

It was fast but I saw it flash through his eyes. Anger.

What did I do to offend him? Tears stung my eyes. Why does he treat me like this even after eight years?

Ethan's mum chuckled. Breaking the torturous silence. "Ava baby, let's give Ethan a break. He's a bit stressed."

I blinked rapidly and nodded, smiling. What does she take me for? A child? I know when someone is repulsed by the mere sight of me.

The clicking of heels gained our attention and it was a slim tall lady, dressed in a black dress.

She walked confidently and stood beside Ethan and flashed us a smile.

"Hello," she greeted.

My heart raced against my chest.

Ethan wrapped his hand around her and pulled her closer. She smiled shyly and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"This is Belle Hilton. My girlfriend," Ethan announced.

My heart sank to my stomach and the room suddenly tilted. I staggered a bit but quickly held a nearby pillar.

He has a girlfriend. Of course he does but why does it hurt so much? I sucked in air sharply.

Everyone's attention focused on them. My heart shattered into millions of pieces but I could only hold my tears from spilling.

Ethan was protective of her and the way he looked at her with love, attention. Exactly the same way, I've always wished he would look at me.

Gradually, I curled my hands into fists. It was unfair that he would treat me like trash.

"Hmm," I cleared my throat. "The party is about to start. Let's not delay the guests," I said in a cold voice although I tried to hide my emotions but it was almost impossible.

I didn't wait for their response before I walked out. With every step I took, I wished for me to disappear.

Minutes later, Noah and I stood facing each other. He held out the ring and asked for my hand but I didn't budge.

Was I ready to risk it all because of anger? Just because I want to get back at Ethan? Spending a lifetime with a man that would probably make my life a living hell.

I looked at the crowd and all eyes were on us.

"Give me your damn hand, Ava" Noah seethed but I didn't respond.

I was searching for him. My eyes finally landed on him but he was busy doting on Belle.

None of these concerned him. I bit back my tears. Belle and I locked eyes and a sly smirk was plastered on her lips.

She broke eye contact and kissed Ethan. She probably noticed the tension between Ethan and I.

As if caught doing something bad, I snapped my eyes away to look at Noah who was already frowning.

I closed my eyes. Breathed out heavily and finally stretched out my hand. Slowly, Noah slid in the ring.

The crowd cheered but my gut only wrenched further. The weight ring was heavier than I could bear. It was like a shackle.

People engaged Noah in a conversation. The others gathered around Ethan. It was an opportunity to get away. I took steps backwards, until I got away from the garden.

I walked to the backyard. The part that was isolated. People don't come here.

Immediately, I removed my heels and closed my mouth with my hands and screamed to let off steam but it didn't help.

Hurriedly, I removed the ring as I slid down on the bench. All the hurt, anger... everything soon came rolling.

I clutched onto my chest as I cried. I gasped for air when my lungs contracted painfully.

He doesn't care if I marry his brother. He loves another woman but not me. He treated her with care but me as trash.

I don't know how long it went by as I had stopped crying. I just sat there.

Someone walked in and I froze. That scent - it's him.

I raised my head and we stared at each other. He didn't waste time before turning to leave but I beat him to it.

With the sudden surge of anger, I stood up and pulled him back to the wall with all the strength I could muster.

"Why do you hate me Ethan,"I asked.

My heart raced crazily but he remained normal. Almost calculated.

"Let go of me, Miss Anderson," he said.

I raised my brow and chuckled bitterly. "Oh, it's no longer Ava but Miss Anderson," my voice trailed off as I shivered. "Eight years since you ghosted me. Now you see me just to treat me like trash." I groaned but he remained stoic.

I bit my lower lip till I tasted blood. My breath was shaky. "We were close Ethan, so what happened? What did I do for you to hate me so much?" I cried, unable to keep the mask any longer.

"Know your place while I'm still being respectful," he groaned.

"Don't you dare talk about respect because you don't have it," I hissed.

His eyes darkened into something uncanny but I don't care. I needed to know what was with him.

"f*****g answer me," my voice trailed off as he changed our positions and I was leaning against the wall.

My jaw dropped and my eyes widened.

"I hate people like you the most. Pretentious. Gullible. Selfish."

His words were like a dagger that twisted my heart ruthlessly. How could he think of me like that?

He ignored my tears as he leaned further till our faces were just an inch apart. His hot breath fanned my face, sending shivers down my spine.

Slowly, he traced his hands along my curves. His woody cologne slammed my nostrils.

There was nothing respectful or right about what he was doing. Yet, I couldn't stop him.

"E... Ethan," I called out with a shaky voice.

"You still want respect, when you enjoy your Fiance's brother touching you like this?" He whispered into ear.

Before I could speak, someone else did. "Babe, what's going on here?"

Ethan pulled away slowly. Something flashed through his eyes - guilt? Hunger? But it was gone as soon as it came. Before his eyes became ice cold again. Holding nothing but disdain for me. Tears blurred my vision.

"Nothing to worry about," he answered. I watched as he kissed her. She flashed me an irritated look as they left.

Do I really deserve this humiliation? All I did was love you but I can also make you feel pain worse than mine.