My Brother-in-law is my Ex

Chapter One

Her Arranged Marriage

Audrey's POV

"Do we know each other?" He asked.

"Maybe not," I force a smile.

It’s better this way—if we pretend we’re strangers, maybe the pain will hurt a little less. Five years have passed since we last saw each other, yet being apart from him feels like torture. He looked good on his suit more professional not like the Asher I knew. How did we end up here?

It all begins five years ago, when I’m seventeen and Asher is nineteen.

When I got home, Dad’s voice echoed from the living room the moment I stepped inside.

“Audrey, come here.”

I hesitated. It was rare for my parents to be home—they were always traveling for business. Beside them stood Lily, my adopted sister, flashing a smug little smile that set off alarms in my head.

Dad had adopted Lily when she was eight, after her parents died in a car accident—at least, that was what he said. From that day on, nothing in our house felt normal. She made me look ungrateful and spoiled in front of my parents, throwing all her mistakes on me and letting me take the blame.

That was when everything changed. My parents began to adore her, calling me a troublemaker while she was the perfect one. I became the disgrace of the family. They stopped trusting me, all because Lily kept feeding them lies.

“What’s going on?” I asked, sensing something was off.

Dad’s gaze pinned me in place. “You’re going abroad to continue your studies.”

I froze. Abroad? Now? What about Asher? My friends? My life here in London?

“But Dad, I’m doing fine here,” I said carefully, trying to stay calm.

Without warning, he hurled his teacup across the room—the sharp crash made me jump, my knees nearly buckling beneath me.

“I’ve already arranged your engagement to the Zenith family’s eldest son,” Dad said, his tone like ice. “And you will cut things off with that Asher. He’s just the second son—he’s nothing. Your sister told us everything.”

“I can’t—” I started, but before I could finish, her hand struck my face. The slap was sharp and humiliating.

“Sister, please listen to them,” Lily said, stepping forward like some fake angel. “They’re only thinking of what’s best for you.”

I stared at her, stunned. Her voice trembled with fake worry, but her eyes were practically dancing.

Mom held Lily’s hand like she was some precious jewel. “Why can’t you be more like her? She’s obedient. She’s grateful.”

A familiar hollow feeling rose inside me. No matter what I did, they never saw me—their real daughter—as enough.

I bit back my words and stayed silent, knowing there was no winning here.

“You’ll only ruin Asher's life if you stay selfish,” Mom hissed. “But if you go abroad... he’ll be safe.”

I clenched my fists. Asher didn’t deserve to suffer because of me. My heart breaking, I forced myself to nod.

“Yes, Mother,” I said through trembling lips.

After they left, it was just me and Lily. She didn’t even bother hiding her gloating smile.

“This is what you get for stealing Asher from me,” she sneered, stepping closer. “You should just leave already. Asher deserves better than you.”

Her words pierced deeper than any slap.

“You have everything! Everything that should have been mine!” she hissed. “I’m better than you in every way, but everyone still treats me like an outsider!”

Before I could think, my hand snapped across her face.

“You’re insane,” I spat.

She lunged at me, but I caught her wrist, squeezing harder than I meant to.

“How could you do something like this to me?” I said, my voice shaking.

She ripped her arm free and laughed, low and bitter. “You think this is bad? This is just the beginning.”

With that, she walked out, leaving her venom hanging in the air.

I didn’t call or text anyone for a week. I skipped school and locked myself in my room, sulking while hugging Asher’s picture frame. My room was dark and messy, full of shattered glass.

Then, someone knocked at the door—it was my mom’s personal maid.

“Young lady,” she said, “the madam asked you to get ready. She made a reservation at a five-star restaurant and arranged a meeting with the Zenith family.”

I pulled myself together. I didn’t want to go, but I know Mom would do everything to make me.

“Smile,” Mom hissed under her breath at the restaurant. “Don’t ruin our impression of the Zenith family.”

I sat stiffly across from her, barely holding it together. All I could think about was running away—but I knew Asher would suffer if I did.

“Yes, Mother,” I whispered, forcing a smile.

Mrs. Zenith and her son, Marcus, arrived. I recognized him—we’d met a few times before—and just like I remembered, he looked way too serious.

Mom and I stood up to greet them, putting on fake smiles.

“Such a handsome young man,” Mom gushed.

“Good genes,” Mrs. Zenith joked, and they both chuckled politely.

I caught Marcus rolling his eyes slightly.

I couldn’t help it—I muttered, “They’re so fake.”

He leaned in, amused. “You’re right.”

I laughed awkwardly. “I was just kidding.”

He smiled—not a fake one—and for the first time, I saw a glimpse of something real in him.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I agree with you.”

Embarrassed, I looked away while the mothers carried on, already acting like we were some dream couple.

“They’re perfect together,” Mrs. Zenith beamed.

“An engaged couple!” Mom added.

I muttered under my breath, “As if.”

Marcus hid a chuckle behind his napkin.

Just then, my phone buzzed—Asher. My heart squeezed painfully. I silenced it, but it kept ringing.

Marcus noticed. “You should answer it.”

I nodded stiffly. “Excuse me,” I said, standing up.

As I slipped outside, I heard my mom’s syrupy voice, praising Marcus.

I answered the call.

“Jazz? Babe? Are you okay? You didn’t show up at school... and you’ve been ignoring me. Are you sick?” Asher's voice was full of concern.

A tear slid down my cheek. I gripped the phone tightly, feeling my chest about to cave in.

“Meet me at your studio,” I said, my voice shaking. “I need to tell you something.”

Before he could say anything else, I hung up.