Tempted by My Ex’s Brother

NINE

Lily's POV

I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this conflicted about seeing someone. After everything with Connor—the betrayal, the cruel mocking of his first love, the heartbreak—I wanted to crawl into bed and hide from the world. Yet, the next day, I found myself dressing carefully, choosing an outfit that said composed and polite, even though inside I felt raw and exposed. Connor’s mother had called me the night before, her voice hesitant but laced with regret, asking if we could meet.

She wanted to apologize, she said, and discuss how to handle the engagement banquet. I hated the idea of seeing anyone from that family, but for the sake of respect—and because I couldn’t stomach leaving things unresolved—I agreed. She was all I had after all. Even though I was hurt that Connor had betrayed me, I still loved and respected his mother.

She had been like the only parent figure in my life ever since I got abandoned by my own family. A few years ago, my world came crashing down when my mom found out that Dad had been cheating on her. She immediately demanded a divorce, bitter and upset. Dad, without hesitation, signed the divorce papers and moved out to start life with his new wife and family.

To Mom, I was a painful reminder of Dad's betrayal. Because of some similarities I shared with my dad, she started to resent me, since she couldn't vent her anger on him. She started seeing multiple guys, but they eventually refused to settle down with her because she was a single mother of one. Angry that I was reminding her of her cheating ex and still ruining her chances with men, she sent me out to live with Dad.

In less than a month, we got news that she had gotten married and was now pregnant. Dad was upset that Mom had moved on so quickly, even though he had married his own partner. He accused Mom of having cheated during their marriage and said I was not his child.

Mom didn't care about me as long as she could be happy with her new family. I eventually got kicked out of the house by Dad, and the only person who took me in was Connor's mom. She was Mom's best friend and felt pity for me. She played the role of both the parents who abandoned the ones who supported me and me.

It was why I cherished and respected her so much; even though I was hurt, I still wanted to honour her words. She was sad and in disbelief when she found out Connor had cheated on me with Victoria. She pleaded with me on his behalf and invited me over so we could discuss the engagement, since Connor and I were no longer together. I let out a sigh; this was all too much of a headache for me.

I stood in front of my mirror longer than I usually would, fussing over a simple blouse and skirt combination. Not too flashy, I told myself, not too casual. My reflection stared back at me, eyes red from crying, lips pressed in a tight line to keep the trembling at bay. I wanted to look dignified, like I had it together, even if my heart refused to cooperate.

The drive to their mansion was a quiet one, my hands gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly. Thoughts kept circling Connor, what he’d said, what he hadn’t, the way he had drifted so easily toward his first love. It still stung, the betrayal cutting deeper than I had expected. I tried to push it down, to focus on the meeting with his mother. That was the priority. My feelings, my pain—they could wait.

When I arrived, I was greeted at the door by a polite but formal staff member, who ushered me into the sitting room. Connor’s mother was there, of course, her expression warm but careful, almost apologetic. She rose to meet me, and I forced a small smile in return. “Lily, thank you for coming,” she said, her tone gentle, tinged with that unmistakable maternal concern. “I know things have been… difficult.”

I nodded, unable to find words that wouldn’t betray the storm of emotions churning inside me. “It’s fine, Auntie, I wanted to… clear the air before the banquet,” I said finally, keeping my voice steady.

She gestured for me to sit, and I lowered myself into the chair across from her, still feeling stiff, still aware of the tension coiling in my chest. We began talking about the engagement, and how it might be cancelled since things between Connor and me didn't work out.

Then, I noticed movement at the edge of my vision. My eyes darted toward the doorway, and my heart nearly stopped. Standing there was Dante. My breath caught. He wasn’t supposed to be here. I froze, my face instantly flushing hot, remembering everything that had happened at the club. The way he had held me, the intensity in his kiss, the unexpected… pull I had felt despite myself.

And yet, it wasn’t just Dante. It was the resemblance, the striking similarity to Connor. My mind stuttered. How could this be? How could someone look so much like Connor and carry himself with that same commanding presence, that same subtle charm? I blinked, trying to make sense of the shock settling in my chest.

Dante’s eyes met mine briefly, and for a moment, it was like everything in the room faded. He didn’t smile, didn’t speak, just held my gaze with that strange, unreadable look I had seen before. It was familiar, yes, but different—there was something darker in it this time, a hint of knowing, almost like he understood all the chaos I was carrying inside.

I tried to focus on Connor’s mother, to anchor myself to something normal, but my attention kept being pulled back to him. My stomach churned, a mixture of anxiety, confusion, and something I couldn’t quite name. Why was he here? What did he want? And why did seeing him make my pulse race in a way that Connor’s own presence never had?

Connor entered the room moments later, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside me. He smiled at me, genuine and easy, and I forced a small smile back. “Lily,” he said, taking a seat beside his mother. “I’m glad you could make it.”

I nodded, my throat tight. “Of course,” I murmured, glancing briefly at Dante. He didn’t move, didn’t speak, but his presence was impossible to ignore. It was like standing too close to fire, dangerous, undeniable, and entirely consuming.

The meeting continued, but I felt detached, my mind circling the stranger standing a few feet away. I caught him watching me at odd intervals, and every time I looked, there was that same unnerving intensity in his eyes. I wanted to ask him who he was, why he was here, but the words stuck in my throat. I didn’t even know how to frame the question without sounding foolish or intrusive.

Finally, Connor’s mother cleared her throat, drawing my attention back. “Lily, I wanted to say again how sorry I am for all the stress and confusion leading up to your engagement,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “I know this should be a happy time for you, and I regret if it hasn’t felt that way.”

I forced a smile, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “I appreciate that,” I said quietly. “I just… want things to go smoothly from here.”

Connor nodded, and for a brief moment, everything seemed normal, like maybe the tension could be managed. But then, my eyes found Dante again. He had moved slightly, leaning against the wall with that same casual confidence, and the realization hit me all at once: he wasn’t just anyone. Not only did he look like Connor, but there was a weight to him, a presence that suggested he was deeply tied to this family.

My heart skipped a beat as the truth began to dawn on me. “Connor…” I started, my voice barely above a whisper, but he looked at me with the wrong expression, confused and slightly concerned. My eyes darted toward Dante, and I saw the small, almost imperceptible smile on his lips—one that was not friendly, not casual, but knowing.

“It’s… him,” I murmured under my breath, more to myself than anyone else. “It has to be him.”

Connor’s mother followed my gaze, and then her eyes widened slightly. “Dante,” she said softly, almost reverently, before looking back at me. "Oh, that's right, Lily, I don't think I have given you two a proper introduction, Lily," she said, pointing towards Dante, who was now sitting casually right opposite us. "He is my first son and Connor's elder brother."

She said, and I turned to her in disbelief. My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped to the ground in complete shock.