Married to my ex's brother

Chapter 1: marry me The valet barely had time to reach for her door before Tiana pushed it open herself, almost hitting him. She stepped out onto the cobblestone driveway of The Grand Rose Hotel, heels hitting the floor sounding like the heartbeat she was trying to suppress. The building above her was in glittering gold and glass, reflecting back a woman who looked steady — even though her insides were vibrating. She whispered to herself. You’re not here to panic. You’re here to prove Emily wrong. He wouldn’t do that to you. She smoothed the pale champagne dress she’d pulled from the back of her closet — the one Caleb had once said made her look like something worth fighting for. Tonight, she hoped he’d remember that. She walked through the revolving doors, the familiar scent of roses and expensive cologne wrapping around her. A polite attendant approached. “Good evening, miss. Are you here for the Thompson–Crane engagement celebration?” Her lungs froze, and everything went blur. She forced a smile. “Yes.” Even saying yes felt like swallowing glass. Last chance to turn back, a voice whispered. No. She lifted her chin. If he’s proposing to someone else, I want to watch him choke on regret when he sees me. The attendant opened the ballroom doors, and the first thing she saw was Caleb. Smiling on one knee. Holding a ring. To another woman. For a moment, there was no sound. No ballroom. No guests. No music. Just that one image — Caleb, beaming up at a brunette in a glittering red gown. His eyes were shining in a way they had never lit up for her. The crowd erupted into cheers as Isabella Crane covered her mouth in faux surprise. “Oh my god, Caleb— YES!” Applause. Laughter. Champagne flutes clinking. Tiana stood frozen in the doorway like a ghost no one could see sick to her stomach. Someone brushed past her without noticing. The scent of their perfume jolted her back into sound. Her ears rang, her throat closed. Tears pricked, but she blinked hard. No. Not here. Not in front of them. She turned — ready to leave — when she heard his voice, Loud. Laughing. Careless. “So you’re really done with that single mom chick you were dating?” someone asked. Caleb grinned proudly. “Please. What man in his right mind wants to spend his life raising kids that aren’t his?” The group around him burst into laughter. Tiana didn’t move. Her body shook once — not from tears, but from something darker. Something like humiliation. Something like rage. She took half a step forward, ready to march up and slap him into the next century Then she stopped,No. He wasn’t worth a scene. He didn’t deserve her tears. He didn’t deserve anything. She inhaled, spine straightening. And walked away, Not fast. Not dramatic, Just… silent. As if she had never been there at all. The bar wasn’t far — just across the street from the hotel — dimly lit, quiet enough to disappear in, loud enough to drown out her thoughts. Tiana slid onto a stool and didn’t bother looking at the menu. “Whiskey,” she said to the bartender. “Neat. And keep them coming.” The first sip burned. The second numbed. The third finally slowed her breathing. She wasn’t crying. She wasn’t shaking. She wasn’t breaking. She refused to break for him. ~~~~~ She was on her fourth drink when a shadow fell across the bar. “Well, well. Didn’t expect to see a woman like you drinking alone.” She didn’t bother turning. “Not interested.” “Oh, come on. I’m just being friendly.” A hand touched her arm, She stiffened, ready to break the glass on the head of whoever it was. “I said—” “She said she wasn't interested.” A deeper voice cut through the tension, cool and firm. The hand on her arm disappeared. The man muttered something under his breath and backed off. Tiana exhaled slowly… then turned. And blinked. Tall. Broad-shouldered. muscles that clinged to his Black suit, undone tie. Sharp jaw, darker eyes. dark Hair slightly messy like he’d run his hands through it a few too many times. He leaned casually on the bar, but there was a quiet intensity to him — someone who didn’t have to raise his voice to be heard. He looked… familiar. She stared. He stared back, And then it hit her. Her voice came out low, “…You’re Caleb’s brother.” His brows lifted slightly. “halfbrother.” She let out a humorless laugh. “Figures.” He studied her more closely now. His head tilted “You were at the hotel.” Not a question. She looked away, swallowing. “Yeah. I was.” Silence stretched between them. He didn’t ask why she’d been there. Didn’t ask what she’d seen. But something in his eyes said he already knew. After a moment, he spoke. “So. He hurt you.” She let out a breathy laugh. “Is it that obvious?” “Only to someone who’s been there.” She turned back to him, curious despite herself. “Caleb hurt you too?” A faint smirk touched his lips. “He’s hurt almost everyone he knows. He’s consistent like that.” She snorted. A real laugh slipped out before she could stop it. God. She hadn’t expected to laugh tonight. He extended a hand. “Alex.” She hesitated… then accepted. “Tiana.” His gaze lingered on her hand a moment longer than necessary before he released it. There was something unspoken in the air now. Not romance. Not attraction. Understanding. Shared resentment. A flicker of… alliance. He nodded toward her glass. “You planning on drinking yourself unconscious tonight?” “Thinking about it.” “Don’t.” She raised a brow. “Why not?” He leaned in sl ightly, voice low — not gentle, but deliberate. “Because Caleb Thompson doesn’t deserve to be the man who destroyed you.” Her heart stilled. He continued, gaze sharp. “He thinks you’ll crumble now. That you’ll disappear. That he’ll forget you ever existed.” Her hand tightened around her glass. Alex leaned back. “Prove him wrong.” She stared at him. Something dangerous — something alive — stirred inside her. “And how do you suggest I do that?” He didn’t blink. “Marry me.”