Marrying My Ex’s Older Brother

Chapter 7: Packing Up

The call ended.

Anxiety swept through Adrian. The man’s voice on the phone left him confused and furious.

Who was he? Had Vanessa already found someone else?

The feeling didn’t last. Adrian let out a scornful breath.

He was convinced it was all a trick to get his attention and punish him over Natalie.

She’s still the same spoiled little girl. She’ll make up anything to get rid of Nat.

Meanwhile, at Hawthorne House, Julian handed Vanessa her phone.

“He hung up.” His deep gaze searched her face as though trying to read it. “Do you mind that I took the liberty?”

Vanessa shook her head. “Not at all.”

His expression softened, and a faint smile touched his lips.

“Good. You’re growing up.”

He reached out and stroked her hair gently.

Vanessa dipped her head, then looked up into his dark eyes. They were warm now, so different from his old indifference. In that moment, Julian seemed like someone who genuinely cared about her.

Her heart missed a beat.

He probably feels bad about what Adrian did and is trying to make up for it out of pity.

Despite the reasons he’d given her, she still didn’t entirely understand why Julian had chosen to marry her.

She shook off the thought and spoke quietly.

“Mr. Ashford, I need to ask a favor.”

She suspected Adrian had already looked for her at her apartment, and she wanted no contact with him.

Julian frowned slightly. “What did you call me?”

She was quiet for a few seconds, then tried again. “Julian?”

Her voice was soft, her eyes uncertain, like a frightened kitten’s. He decided not to press her and relaxed.

“Tell me. What do you need?”

Relieved, Vanessa exhaled. “I want to sell my apartment. Could you help with the paperwork?”

“Of course.” Something unusual flickered in his eyes. “I’ll have Daniel handle everything.”

She gave him a sincere smile. “Thank you.”

The light emphasized her delicate features. Her fair skin glowed, and her radiant smile seemed capable of dispelling any worry.

Julian stared at her.

But she left the room without noticing the intensity of his gaze.

He worked quickly. Within a few days, he’d found a buyer and closed the sale.

Vanessa needed to collect some important belongings, so Julian drove her there himself.

As she got out of the car, his phone rang. After listening, he gave a short acknowledgment, irritation showing on his face.

“Understood.”

He ended the call.

“Something’s come up,” he told her gently. “I need to deal with it. Can you go up on your own?”

She nodded. “Yes, don’t worry. Go. Packing will take me a while.”

“Are you sure you can manage?” He wasn’t convinced.

“I’m not a child anymore. I really can manage. Go.” Vanessa laughed, standing agreeably beside the car.

He seemed more thoughtful and gentle every day, nothing like the man who’d always treated her with indifference.

Julian nodded and narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re not a child, but you’re much easier to fool than one.”

Vanessa had no answer.

Once he drove away, she entered the building she hadn’t visited in two weeks. She’d just scanned her fingerprint and opened the door when the security guard approached.

“Miss Bennett.”

She stopped and turned. He came closer with a strained smile.

“I’m glad you’re back. Someone’s been looking for you these past few days. He looks like a well-mannered gentleman, not a bad person, but he banged on your door so hard that the neighbors complained.”

Vanessa knew who he meant.

Adrian.

It was understandable that the guard didn’t recognize him. Adrian hardly ever came here.

In the past, she’d always been the one following him around. Over the years, she’d taken the initiative to see him. Even when she was home, the moment she heard he’d drunk too much, she rushed to his apartment to make something for his hangover.

Whenever they fought, all he had to do was pretend to apologize, and her anger disappeared.

At his request, she got up an hour early to call and make sure he woke up.

His friends mocked her behind her back, calling her desperate. Everyone assumed Vanessa could never leave him.

And for those five years, it had been true.

“All right. Thank you for letting me know.” She nodded slightly. “I’ve sold the apartment. If he comes again, please ask him to leave.”

Because she was so polite, the guard assured her it wouldn’t be a problem. He even offered to help with the move.

Vanessa thanked him and entered her old home.

The dressing room held plenty of designer bags and clothes Adrian had given her. She packed them carefully and booked a courier to return them to his house.

Once she’d sorted through everything, she realized that the only things truly hers and useful to her were some clothes, her desktop computer, her keyboards, and a wall of books.

She took her time organizing them. When she checked her watch, two hours had passed. She hadn’t expected to take so long.

She was calling Julian to let him know when the doorbell rang.

Thinking it was him, she opened the door while her phone was still ringing.

“Perfect timing. I’ve just finished—”

The words caught in her throat when she saw who was outside. Her expression turned cold.

“What are you doing here?”

She lowered the phone and hung up without looking.

Adrian stood before her, his face dark with anger.

“You’ve been sulking for half a month and blocked me everywhere. You’ve finally decided to show up?”

Vanessa frowned. “This is my apartment. As far as I know, I didn’t invite you.”

His eyes burned with impatience and fury. “Enough! There’s a limit to these scenes. Don’t push it!”

A minute earlier, in Firax Group’s conference room, Julian had smiled involuntarily when Vanessa’s call came through.

But hearing Adrian’s shameless words, his expression darkened with anger.

He stood and hurried out toward the parking lot.

“Find my wife.”

Adrian clenched his jaw furiously.

“Why do you have to treat Nat like this? She’s my sister! Even after we get married, she’ll still be your family!”

Vanessa looked at him in disgust. “I don’t have such a shameless family. If you love her so much and care about her that deeply, switch roles. Marry her. Let your little sister become your wife. You’re not related by blood anyway. I doubt you’d have any legal problems.”

Adrian’s face reddened as he shouted, looking ready to explode.

“Do you have to be so bitter? Why can’t you be as understanding as she is? She left the country for three years because of you. Will you only be satisfied when she’s dead?”