Rejected While Pregnant. Claimed by His Ruthless Brother

Chapter 14: Not Everyone Plays Fair

The event was louder than I expected.

Not in sound—

But in presence.

Voices layered over each other. Laughter that felt too sharp. Conversations that didn’t feel real.

Everything here was polished.

Perfect.

And completely controlled.

Just like his world.

“Stay close.”

Sebastian’s voice was low beside me as we stepped inside.

“I am,” I replied quietly.

But it didn’t feel close enough.

Not here.

Not with the way people turned to look at us.

At him.

At me.

At the space between us.

The bracelet on my wrist felt heavier tonight.

More noticeable.

More intentional.

Like a silent statement I didn’t fully understand yet.

“You’re being watched.”

I didn’t turn.

“I figured.”

“They’re not subtle.”

“No,” he said. “They’re not.”

A pause.

Then—

“Let them look.”

The confidence in his voice grounded me slightly.

Just enough.

A man approached first.

Older.

Confident.

Too familiar.

“Sebastian.”

They shook hands.

Firm.

Controlled.

“Didn’t expect to see you here tonight,” the man continued.

“I was invited.”

A beat.

Then his gaze shifted to me.

And stayed there.

Longer than necessary.

“And you brought company.”

Not polite.

Not curious.

Assessing.

“She’s not company,” Sebastian replied.

“She’s with me.”

The words landed differently.

Stronger.

Clearer.

The man’s expression shifted slightly.

Recognition.

Understanding.

Something else underneath.

“Ah,” he said slowly.

“That explains the rumors.”

Rumors.

Of course.

“They travel fast,” Sebastian replied.

“They always do.”

A brief silence.

Then the man nodded once and stepped back.

But the look he gave me before leaving—

It lingered.

Like he had already decided something.

And I wasn’t sure I liked what that was.

“You handled that well.”

I glanced at Sebastian.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You didn’t need to.”

A pause.

Then—

“That’s the point.”

I wasn’t sure how to take that.

Before I could respond—

A voice cut through the space behind us.

“You’re getting comfortable.”

I turned.

Olivia.

Of course.

Her gaze moved between us.

Sharp.

Unimpressed.

“You’re everywhere today,” I said before I could stop myself.

A faint smile touched her lips.

“I go where I’m needed.”

“Or where you want to be?”

Her eyes flickered slightly.

Then settled.

“Be careful,” she said softly.

Again.

Always the warning.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because not everyone here plays fair.”

The words settled in.

Cold.

Real.

“And you do?” I asked.

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“No.”

At least she was honest.

“Olivia.”

Sebastian’s voice cut in again.

Controlled.

Final.

She glanced at him briefly.

Then back at me.

“Just remember,” she added quietly,

“This world doesn’t forgive mistakes.”

Then she walked away.

Again.

Always leaving something behind.

Something unfinished.

Something dangerous.

“She talks too much,” I said under my breath.

“She says enough.”

That wasn’t reassuring.

I looked at him.

“She’s not wrong, is she?”

A pause.

Then—

“No.”

The honesty caught me off guard.

“So what exactly am I walking into?” I asked.

His gaze held mine.

“Something you need to learn quickly.”

The word again.

Learn.

Adapt.

Survive.

None of it sounded optional.

The room shifted again.

Subtle.

But noticeable.

People weren’t just watching now.

They were waiting.

For something.

For someone.

“What’s happening?” I asked quietly.

Sebastian’s attention moved past me.

Toward the entrance.

“They’ve arrived.”

My chest tightened.

“Who?”

He didn’t answer immediately.

Then—

“My father.”

The words landed heavier than anything else tonight.

Heavier than the room.

Heavier than the tension.

Heavier than everything I thought I had already faced.

Because if his mother had been difficult—

Something told me his father would be worse.

I followed his gaze.

Toward the man walking in.

Tall.

Commanding.

Presence that didn’t need attention—

It took it.

Effortlessly.

The room shifted around him.

Subtly.

Respectfully.

Carefully.

Like everyone understood exactly who he was—

And what he represented.

Power.

Legacy.

Control.

And the moment his eyes landed on me—

Everything inside me stilled.

Because I knew.

Without question.

This—

Was going to be a problem.