The Brother's Bride : Claimed by My Ex's Billionare Brother

Crystal chandeliers shimmered throughout the Astoria Hotel ballroom, scattering golden light across hundreds of guests dressed in expensive gowns and elegant suits. Tonight was one of the most lavish parties of the year. The engagement night of Luna White and Ethan Hale. At least… that was what everyone was celebrating. But for Luna, the night felt a little different. She stood near the ballroom balcony, her fingers wrapped around a glass of champagne she had barely touched. The dark blue gown she wore was simple compared to the socialites filling the room, yet her elegance still drew attention. Several guests whispered as they passed her. “Is she Ethan Hale’s fiancée?” “Isn’t she just a girl from an ordinary family?” “I don’t understand why the Hale family approved this.” Luna had heard things like that far too many times. She took a slow breath and tried to ignore it. Only one person truly mattered to her. Ethan. The man who had been by her side for five years. The man who promised he would protect her from all those cruel remarks. “Luna.” A gentle voice called from behind. Luna turned and immediately smiled. “Elena.” Elena Monroe walked toward her in a striking red gown. Her smile was as sweet as ever as she wrapped Luna in a warm embrace. “The bride-to-be looks nervous,” she said with a soft laugh. “Of course I’m nervous,” Luna replied quietly. “This is a big night.” Elena tilted her head. “Relax. After tonight, you’ll officially become part of the Hale family.” Luna smiled, but her eyes drifted across the room again. “By the way… have you seen Ethan?” Elena paused for a moment before answering. “Oh… he might be taking care of something.” “What do you mean?” “Well, you know Ethan. He likes surprises.” Elena’s tone sounded casual, but there was something strange in her gaze. Something Luna couldn’t quite explain. Before she could think further about it, a hotel waiter approached her with a slightly nervous expression. “Excuse me, Miss White.” Luna turned. “Yes?” “Mr. Ethan Hale asked that you meet him in the suite upstairs.” Luna blinked in surprise. “Now?” The waiter nodded. “He said it’s important.” A small smile appeared on Luna’s face. Maybe Ethan wanted to give her a surprise before the party officially began. She handed the champagne glass to the waiter. “All right. Thank you.” As Luna walked toward the ballroom doors, Elena called out behind her. “Suite seventeen.” Luna glanced back. “Elena… how do you know?” For a brief moment, Elena looked startled. But she quickly smiled again. “Oh, Ethan told me earlier.” Luna nodded without suspicion. “Okay. I’ll be back soon.” But as Luna walked out of the ballroom, she didn’t see Elena’s smile slowly change. It was no longer friendly. Instead… it was filled with triumph. The elevator stopped on the seventeenth floor with a soft ding. The hotel corridor was silent, lit only by dim wall lamps. Luna’s footsteps sounded faint on the thick carpet as she walked toward Suite 1708. Her heart began to beat a little faster. Whether from nervousness… or from the strange sense of unease that had suddenly appeared. She stopped in front of the door. The lights inside the room were on. But there was no sound. Luna lifted her hand to knock. But before her fingers touched the door… she heard something. A soft laugh. A woman’s voice. Luna frowned. Maybe Ethan was talking to someone? But the next second, a man’s voice she knew all too well came from inside the room. Ethan’s voice. Low. Close. Far too close. Luna’s heart began pounding harder. Without realizing it, she stepped closer to the door. The woman’s voice came again. This time clearer. And within a single second… Luna felt the blood in her veins turn cold. That voice… she knew it. Too well. Impossible. But before she could convince herself otherwise, Ethan’s voice came again from inside the room. Laughing softly. Then saying in a tone full of desire, “God… Elena…” Luna’s hand froze on the door handle. Her entire body went cold. Her mind refused to believe what she had just heard. But the voice inside the room sounded again. And this time… there was no doubt. The woman inside that room was Elena Monroe. Her best friend. Luna slowly turned the door handle. And with one small movement… the suite door began to open.