MORE THAN A FEELING

Chapter 5: The Brother’s Watchful Eye

The atmosphere at the Rosemont estate was different from the Thornes'. While the Thornes' home felt like a cozy library of old money and fine wine, the Rosemont mansion was a glass-and-steel masterpiece of modern fashion. Tonight, the two families were gathered for their weekly dinner, but the air felt charged with a new kind of energy.

Aria sat at the center of the long table, her face back to its "Ice Princess" mask. Cassian sat directly across from her. He was trying to listen to Arthur Rosemont talk about a new perfume line, but his eyes kept drifting to Aria’s wrist. She was wearing a simple silver bracelet he had given her when they were ten. It was the only piece of jewelry she wore that wasn't worth millions.

It made his heart swell.

"So, Cassian," Silas, the eldest Rosemont brother, said suddenly. His voice was like a cold splash of water. "I heard there was a bit of a... situation in the cafeteria today."

The table went silent. Cassian felt his parents’ eyes on him. He felt Dante, the middle brother, leaning back in his chair, his eyes narrowed as he studied Cassian’s face.

"A guy was being disrespectful to Aria," Cassian said, his voice steady. "I handled it."

"He handled it by almost ripping the guy's throat out," Aria added softly, her eyes meeting Cassian’s. There was no anger in her voice, but there was a warning.

Dante chuckled, but the sound wasn't friendly. "You’ve always been protective of her, Cass. Like a brother. But today? People are saying you looked like you were defending a territory, not a sister."

Cassian gripped his glass of wine a little tighter. "She is my territory. We’re family, aren't we?"

"Are we?" Silas asked, leaning forward. His presence was massive, intimidating. "Because the way you were looking at her during the appetizers tonight... that didn't look like family, Cassian. That looked like a man who is starving."

The silence that followed was deafening. Aria’s breath hitched. She looked between her brother and Cassian, her pale cheeks flushing a faint pink.

"Silas, leave him alone," Lyra, the elder sister, intervened with a knowing smile. "They’re just getting used to being in the same school again."

"No," Silas continued, his eyes locked on Cassian. "I like Cassian. I trust him. But Aria is fragile right now. She doesn't need a 'best friend' who is secretly waiting for her to fall so he can catch her. She needs a friend she can trust without... complications."

Cassian felt his face heat up. He hated that Silas could see right through him. He hated that his feelings were being called a "complication."

"I've been there for Aria since before I could tie my own shoes," Cassian said, his voice low and dangerous. "I don’t care if you’re her brother, Silas. Don’t ever question my intentions. I just want her to be happy."

"Even if that happiness isn't with you?" Dante challenged, a playful but sharp glint in his eyes.

Cassian looked at Aria. She was staring at him, her eyes wide, searching his face. For a second, he wanted to shout it. Yes! Even then! But it should be me!

Instead, he took a breath. "Even then."

The rest of the dinner was tense. Aria barely spoke, but she kept stealing glances at Cassian. The brothers stayed quiet, but they were watching his every move how he passed her the salt before she asked for it, how he noticed the second she felt a draft and signaled the maid to close the window.

After dinner, as they were all heading to the lounge, Dante pulled Cassian aside.

"Look, Cass," Dante said, his voice dropping the teasing tone. "We know you love her. We’ve always known. But she’s scared of her own shadow right now. If you push her too fast, she’ll run. And if you break her heart because you couldn't keep your feelings in check? Not even our families' friendship will save you from us."

Cassian looked at the man he had grown up with. "I would rather break my own heart a thousand times than hurt a single hair on her head."

"Good," Dante patted his shoulder, but his grip was like iron. "Because she’s going on a date with that guy from the tennis team, Marcus, on Friday. Our parents approved it. They think it’ll help her get back to 'normal.'"

Cassian’s heart dropped into his stomach. "A date? Already?"

"She asked for it," Dante said, watching Cassian’s reaction closely. "She wants to prove she can handle it. Are you going to be okay with that, 'best friend'?"

Cassian forced a nod, even though he felt like he was choking. "I’ll be fine."

But as he watched Aria walk away, her silver bracelet shimmering in the light, he knew he was lying. Friday was going to be the longest night of his life.