IN HIS BROTHER’S BED

CHAPTER 7: “In His Brother’s Bed”

Ethan sat in his car, puzzled.

“What exactly is Olivia trying to insinuate?” he murmured to himself.

He turned the car key, started the engine, and drove off.

While driving, a shiver ran down his spine. Olivia wanted to meet him tomorrow—without letting his brother Daniel know. And what was it that she said she knew? Had she found out about the secret business he and his family had been doing behind closed doors? Or about Daniel’s cheating?

All these thoughts ran through his mind as he drove down the quiet road at night.

“Should I tell Daniel about this?”

Ethan was really frustrated. He feared Olivia might cause harm, judging by how fierce she had looked earlier at the hotel.

He pulled his car over at the entrance, got out, phone in hand, and wondered whether to tell Daniel about Olivia’s message.

“Maybe I should keep this a secret,”

he said as he walked into the room.

⸻

The next morning, the sun tiptoed into the sky, painting the clouds with colorful hues. Olivia woke up, stretched her hands, and turned over in bed. She was half-asleep, having stayed up very late the previous night.

She got up and walked straight to the bathroom. She washed her face at the sink, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. Words slipped out of her mouth as she hoped Ethan would agree to meet her as she had requested.

Suddenly, her phone rang. She ran out of the bathroom to answer the call.

It was Keziah. She had called to ask what happened last night.

Olivia told Keziah everything — that her husband, Daniel, had been cheating on her all this time. She spoke with intense anger.

“This is why he’s been acting strange all this time. But Keziah, I believe there’s more to it than meets the eye. And I am definitely going to find out.”

Just as she was about to say another word, the bedroom door banged open. It was Daniel. He had gone out to the gym and was back.

“I’ll call you back, Keziah.”

Olivia dropped the call, put her phone on DND, and walked back into the bathroom as Daniel entered the room. Since last night, they hadn’t spoken. Neither knew what the other was thinking or planning. Yet Daniel somehow felt that Olivia was up to something. Ethan hadn’t told him about her message, but his instincts told him Olivia had something up her sleeve.

⸻

Back at Ethan’s place, he lay on the bed. It was already 9:30 a.m. He was still unsure of himself — whether to agree to meet Olivia, tell Daniel, or refuse to meet her and act like nothing had happened.

“Oh, that’s Daniel.”

His phone rang. He hurriedly picked it up. Daniel sounded tired, like he needed more rest.

“I think Liv is planning something,” Daniel said.

Ethan got confused. What the hell was happening? Last night he received a text message from Olivia, asking him to meet up and not let Daniel know. And now Daniel also thought Olivia had some devious plans.

“What the hell is Olivia trying to do?”

he murmured to himself, pulling the phone away slightly so Daniel wouldn’t hear his words.

“Um, Daniel, what exactly do you think she’s planning?”

Ethan asked in a calm, intense tone.

“I don’t know, Ethan. She’s been quiet and acting strange ever since last night. And she always seems to be cutting off calls when I’m around.”

For the first time in years, Daniel sounded desperate.

“Well, Daniel, er… er… I want to…”

Words slipped out of Ethan’s mouth; he nearly told Daniel about Olivia’s plan. But he hesitated. What if Olivia found out? He might be in danger. She seemed dangerous these past few days.

“What is it you’re trying to say, Ethan?” Daniel asked, curiosity in his voice.

“Oh, nothing. I’m a little confused. You’ve got to take care of yourself over there. She might do something crazy.”

“Oh hell, Ethan. She should be the one to be on the lookout. You know me from whatever we’ve done in the past. I’m a real monster, and the moment I find out she’s planning something deadly, I’ll be the first to cut her throat and send her to hell.”

Daniel said this with anger in his voice, sounding furious and anxious.

The moment Ethan got off the phone with Daniel, he received another text message from Olivia.

“5 Star Avenue Street. 8:25 p.m.”

Why was Olivia asking him to meet her at the very same place where she saw her husband, Daniel, cheating? He couldn’t think straight.

With his heart full of doubt and fear, he tapped on the phone, and the keyboard appeared.

“Why do you want to meet me there? And what exactly do you know?”

Ethan hit the send button and waited impatiently for a response. It was still morning, and he hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet, but this already seemed to be spoiling his day. He kept asking himself over and over what Olivia’s plan was. Daniel had told him earlier that morning that he felt Olivia was trying to do something. That meant she was actually up to something, Ethan thought.

He reached for his phone and realized Olivia had responded two minutes ago.

“Well, maybe I’m doing you a favor, babe. Bring no one else. Only you.”

“Babe?”

Ethan frowned. Olivia was definitely up to something.

“She’s probably trying to use me to get revenge on Daniel,” he thought as he walked out of the room. What he didn’t know was that Olivia was planning far more than revenge.

“Okay. Will be there.”

Upon receiving the message, a cold smile formed on Olivia’s face. So far, her plan was moving smoothly.

“The game’s just starting, Daniel,”

she said to herself as she walked out of the bedroom, heading straight to the kitchen to prepare some coffee.

While she was in the kitchen, Daniel was at the back of the garage washing his dirty car. Olivia had always been the one doing this. After what had happened — and with Olivia’s sudden quietness and indifference — he had to do these things himself. He had absolutely no idea what Olivia was planning.

Olivia made some coffee, walked slowly into the living room, and sat on the sofa. She crossed her legs and scrolled through t****k, giggling at the funny videos she was watching. For the first time in many years, she seemed to have her freedom — unbothered by things that used to trouble her.

As she sat there scrolling, the door opened. It was Daniel. He had finished washing the car. He walked past her into the room.

They seemed to be at loggerheads. While Daniel thought Olivia would eventually talk to him first, that never happened. It wasn’t even part of Olivia’s plan. All she thought about was how to gain control over Ethan and earn his trust so he could uncover everything hidden behind closed doors — and help her reclaim everything that had been taken from her.

Evening approached. Olivia had to get ready to meet Ethan. Tonight would either be a life-changing opportunity or a complete disaster. She was ready to face it. To seduce Ethan — not just for passion, but as a weapon. Through Ethan, she would uncover everything and reclaim what was hers.

As she looked through her wardrobe for a dress, Daniel lay on the bed, secretly stealing glances at her.

“Where’s she going?” he asked himself.

“Dang it, Daniel, you don’t care,” he murmured, trying to ignore the thought.

Quickly, Olivia pulled out a dress she hadn’t worn in years — a slightly transparent, sexy red outfit. She put it on and sat before the mirror, painting her lips with red lip gloss to match.

The clock was ticking. It was past 8:25 p.m., and she still wasn’t done. Just as she was about to put on her high heels, a notification popped up.

“I’ve been here for 15 mins.”

It was Ethan. He had already arrived. Olivia hurriedly walked out, banging the door behind her.

Daniel, still on the bed, couldn’t stop wondering where she was going. Without a second thought, he called Ethan.

“I said it, Ethan. She’s got something up her sleeve. Could you believe she just went out? In a very revealing outfit,” Daniel said, sounding desperate.

“Revealing outfit!” Ethan exclaimed.

So Olivia was wearing something revealing to meet him? The thought ran through his mind.

“Well, Daniel, I’ll give you a shout later. Gotta get a few things done,” Ethan said before hanging up.

Daniel frowned. Ethan had never said something like that before.

“Ah, well… okay. Call me later,” he muttered, brushing it off.

Minutes passed. Olivia hadn’t arrived. Ethan stood there, looking down the street. No taxi in sight. It was almost 9 p.m., and she was still not there. Just as he turned around, Olivia appeared behind him.

“Oh, good heavens!” he exclaimed.

“Can we have some privacy?” Olivia said.

They climbed up to the hotel, booked a room, and went inside.

Ethan was still unsure of himself, though he had prepared for this. He couldn’t shake off the feeling that Olivia was up to something dangerous.

As soon as they entered the room, Olivia pushed him onto the bed.

“Wait… what are you doing?” Ethan asked.

Olivia ignored him. She ran her hands over his chest.

“I know you love this.”