Zeus Ring

Chapter 3: All Is Fair In Love And War

Ethan stood on the porch, staring at Lily in her sheer lingerie. Her expression shifted from shock to guilt. She quickly crossed her arms over her chest, trying to shield herself from his gaze, but it did nothing to cover the fact that she was there, half-dressed, with his brother.

"Ethan," she began, her voice unsteady, "I didn’t expect you to come by tonight. I was just—"

"Lily," Ethan interrupted, his voice heavy with anger and disbelief. "What’s going on here? Why is Kyle in your apartment…dressed in a towel?"

Lily's eyes darted between Ethan and the hallway behind her, where Kyle was leaning casually against the wall, his towel hanging low on his hips. For a moment, she seemed to be searching for the right words, something to smooth over the situation. But Ethan could see the wheels turning in her head, trying to concoct a believable lie.

"I…he was just…helping me with something," she stammered, clearly flustered. "There was a leak in the bathroom, and I called him because…because you were busy and—"

"Really?" Ethan's voice was low, dangerously calm. "So Kyle's like a plumber now?"

Lily shook her head but couldn't say anything more. Clearly, there was nothing to say.

“Answer me, Lily. Why is my brother in your apartment at this time of the night? I’m supposed to believe nothing’s going on?"

Ethan’s heart fell, a sick feeling of betrayal rising in his throat. He stepped closer, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her flinch. "How long has this been going on?" His words were heavy with emotions.

But before Lily could respond, Kyle’s voice cut through. "What’s with all the questions, Ethan? Shouldn’t you be back at home, helping Aunt Margaret out or something?" His tone was mocking, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Ethan’s gaze turned to his brother, his jaw clenched so tightly that he could feel the muscles straining. "Kyle, stay out of this. I’m talking to Lily."

Kyle let out a harsh laugh, moving away from the wall and strolling over to Lily’s side. He draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. "Oh, come on, Ethan. Don’t be such a child. It’s not like you ever really had a chance with Lily anyway."

Lily opened her mouth to protest, but the words died on her lips as Kyle leaned down and pressed a possessive kiss to her neck, his eyes never leaving Ethan’s.

Ethan felt something inside him snap. "Lily, is this what you’ve been doing all along?” His voice was high and angry.

"Sneaking around with my own brother?!"

Lily’s eyes widened, a flash of guilt crossing her face, but Kyle didn’t give her a chance to respond.

"Of course, she was," Kyle said with a smirk. "Did you really think someone like her would be satisfied with a loser like you? Come on, Ethan. Look at yourself. What do you have to offer her? No money, no ambition, no future. You’re nothing."

Ethan’s fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. "You’re disgusting," he spat, glaring at his brother. "And you," he turned to Lily, his voice cold and steady, "you’re nothing but a slut."

Lily gasped, her eyes fiery but before she could say anything, Kyle stepped in front of her, shielding her from Ethan’s wrath. "Watch your mouth, Ethan," he growled. "You don’t get to talk to her like that. If you’re smart, you’ll walk away now, before things get ugly."

Ethan shook his head in disbelief and anger. “You couldn't wait to get this one thing I had, could you?" He asked Kyle.

Kyle’s expression darkened, and he pulled Lily even closer, his grip on her possessive. "You don’t have a choice. Lily’s too beautiful to waste her time with a loser like you. Did you honestly think she could afford this place on her own? Who do you think was paying for it all along?"

The realization hit Ethan like a punch to the gut. He staggered back a step. "You’ve been cheating on me with him," he said, more to himself than to them. "That’s how you’ve been living like this…"

Lily’s eyes shifted uncomfortably but she made no move to deny it. Instead, she rolled her eyes and sighed,"Ethan," she said slowly, “You'll have to move on. I'm with Kyle now."

"Move on?" Ethan’s voice cracked, the word tasting bitter on his tongue. “Lily, I gave you everything that I ever had even with my meager income, how ungrateful could you be?”

Lily looked up but there was a hardness in her gaze that Ethan hadn’t seen before. "I didn’t want to be with you, Ethan," she admitted, her voice cold. "I never did. I’ve always wanted Kyle, but you were the available brother, so I had to get close to him through you. And now, I don’t need you anymore. Kyle’s mine."

Ethan recoiled as if she’d slapped him, the words cutting deep into his heart. "You played me from the start."

Lily’s expression turned vicious, her patience finally snapping. "Get out, Ethan," she hissed. "Get lost, and don’t come back. I'm tired of hiding what I feel for Kyle. You don't deserve such loyalty. You're just a disgusting thing. Gosh! I can't believe I spent all these months with someone as poor and wretched as you."

Ethan felt the ground shift beneath him, the world turning upside down. He looked at the woman he had once loved, the woman who had made him feel like he was worth something, and now she was tearing him apart with her words.

“You didn't have to lie, Lily" He hissed.

"I deserve better!" Lily shouted, her voice echoing in the dark night. "I deserve someone who can give me what I want, who can take care of me. And that’s not you, Ethan. It’s never been you."

Ethan sneered at her, his eyes blazing. "Both of you deserve each other."

But before he could say anything else, Kyle stepped forward, his expression cold and threatening. "You need to leave, Ethan," he said, his tone low and dangerous. "Or I’ll call the cops and tell them you were trespassing. Maybe I’ll even say you tried to break in. I don’t think they’ll have a problem believing me, especially at this time of night."

Without another word, he turned and walked away, the rain pounding against his back as he stepped into the night. The sound of Lily’s voice followed him.

"Get lost, Ethan!" she called after him. "I deserve better!"