The Brother I Was Never Supposed to Want

Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

The orchestra began playing a slow waltz.

Conversations throughout the ballroom gradually faded as couples drifted toward the polished dance floor.

Richard Walker smiled with quiet satisfaction.

This was the moment.

For years, the first dance at every Walker Foundation Gala had been more than tradition, it was a statement.

His eyes found Isabella.

Elegant. Sophisticated. Poised.

Exactly the woman he had always imagined beside Nathan.

Several guests were already whispering.

"They'll dance together."

"They always looked perfect."

"They were practically engaged once."

Ava heard enough to understand.

She lowered her gaze to the sparkling floor.

Maybe she should step back.

Maybe bringing her here had already caused Nathan enough trouble.

She quietly took a step away.

"I think I'll get some fresh air."

Nathan caught her wrist gently before she could leave.

"Stay."

She looked up.

"They're expecting..."

"I know what they're expecting."

His voice remained calm.

"I don't intend to disappoint myself just to satisfy them."

Across the ballroom, Richard watched his son with growing anticipation.

Nathan adjusted his jacket.

Then, instead of walking toward Isabella...

He walked toward Ava.

The ballroom grew silent.

Nathan stopped in front of her and extended his hand.

"May I have this dance?"

Ava stared at him, stunned.

"...Everyone's watching."

His expression softened into a rare smile.

"Then let's give them something worth watching."

For a heartbeat...

Ava couldn't move.

She could feel hundreds of eyes fixed on her.

Business executives.

Socialites.

Reporters.

Even the orchestra seemed quieter as everyone waited for her answer.

"What if I step on your feet?" she whispered.

Nathan's smile deepened.

"Then I'll survive."

A nervous laugh escaped her.

She placed her hand in his.

The ballroom erupted into hushed whispers.

"They're really dancing together."

"Did he just ignore Isabella?"

"Richard looks furious."

Nathan led Ava onto the dance floor with effortless confidence.

She swallowed hard.

"I've never done this before."

"I know."

"You still asked me?"

"I wanted to dance with you."

The orchestra swelled as he gently rested one hand at her waist, careful to leave enough space so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable.

His other hand held hers lightly.

"Relax," he murmured.

"I'm trying."

"No."

His eyes met hers.

"You're thinking."

She laughed softly.

"You've known me for five minutes, and you've already figured that out?"

"I've known enough."

Slowly, they began to move.

To Ava's surprise, Nathan wasn't showing off.

He guided her patiently, matching every uncertain step she took.

A few moments later, she stopped looking at her feet.

"You were right," she admitted.

"About what?"

"I haven't stepped on you."

"You still have half a song left."

She rolled her eyes.

"I was trying to compliment you."

"I know."

For the first time since arriving at the gala, Ava forgot about the whispers surrounding them.

She forgot about Richard.

She even forgot about Isabella.

It felt as though there were only two people in the ballroom.

Across the room, Victoria watched them with a fond smile.

"They look happy," she said quietly.

"They look reckless," Richard replied sharply.

"They look honest," Victoria corrected.

Richard's jaw tightened.

A few feet away, Isabella stood with a champagne glass in her hand.

Her smile never disappeared.

But her fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around the stem of the glass.

Nathan had walked past her without hesitation.

She hadn't expected that.

Not from him.

She looked toward the dance floor again.

Then, after a moment, she smiled to herself.

"This isn't over," she whispered.

The music slowly came to an end.

For a moment...

Neither of them moved.

Applause echoed through the ballroom as the other couples stepped away from the dance floor.

Ava finally realized everyone was looking at them again.

She quickly withdrew her hand, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

"I think everyone just watched me make a fool of myself."

Nathan looked at her.

"I don't."

"You have to say that."

"I don't."

She laughed softly.

"You really are stubborn."

"So I've been told."

Before Ava could reply, a photographer approached them with a polite smile.

"Mr. Walker?"

Nathan turned.

"Would you mind one photograph?"

Nathan instinctively looked at Ava.

"Only if she's comfortable."

The photographer smiled reassuringly.

"It'll only take a second."

Ava hesitated.

"I've never... done anything like this."

Nathan leaned closer so only she could hear.

"If you don't want to, we'll leave."

She searched his face.

There wasn't the slightest hint of pressure.

Only patience.

She took a small breath.

"...Okay."

The photographer directed them toward a backdrop decorated with white roses and the Walker Foundation logo.

"Just a little closer."

Ava awkwardly shuffled half a step.

The photographer chuckled.

"A little more."

She glanced at Nathan.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Permission?"

She nodded.

Nathan gently rested a hand against the small of her back, careful and respectful.

The photographer's camera flashed several times.

"Perfect."

"One more."

Nathan looked down at Ava just as she laughed nervously.

Click.

The photographer lowered his camera with a satisfied grin.

"That's the one."

As he walked away, Ava looked up at Nathan.

"I wasn't smiling on purpose."

"I know."

"It just... happened."

"I'm glad it did."

Before the quiet moment could settle again, a familiar voice interrupted.

"Ava."

She turned.

Isabella stood a few feet away, elegant as ever, wearing the same composed smile.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all," Ava replied politely.

Isabella glanced toward the photographer who had just walked away.

"You'll probably be in tomorrow's society pages."

Ava blinked.

"I didn't think about that."

"Most people don't."

Her smile remained pleasant.

"Life changes quickly when you're standing beside a Walker."

Ava wasn't sure how to respond.

Isabella continued gently.

"It can be... overwhelming."

Nathan stepped beside Ava.

"Isabella."

She looked at him.

"I was only talking."

"I know."

"I was telling Ava how different this world can be."

Nathan's expression remained calm.

"She'll decide for herself whether she likes it."

For the first time that evening, Isabella's smile faltered.

Only for a second.

Then it returned.

"Of course."

"I look forward to getting to know you better, Ava."

With a graceful nod, she walked away to greet another group of guests.

Ava watched her leave.

"She's..."

Nathan looked at her.

"What?"

"...Nice."

Nathan didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he quietly picked up two glasses of sparkling water from a passing server and handed one to Ava.

"Be polite," he said calmly.

"But don't mistake kindness for honesty."

Ava frowned slightly.

"What does that mean?"

Nathan met her eyes.

"It means not everyone who smiles at you is your friend."

Before Ava could ask another question, Richard's voice echoed across the ballroom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention..."

The room gradually fell silent once more.

Nathan's phone vibrated.

He glanced at the screen, his expression barely changing.

"I need to take this."

Ava nodded.

"I'll be fine."

"You sure?"

She smiled.

"I survived your father."

A faint chuckle escaped him.

"I won't be long."

As Nathan walked away, Ava picked up a glass of sparkling water from a passing server.

"Enjoying the evening?"

A familiar voice spoke beside her.

She turned.

Isabella.

She wore the same elegant smile she had worn all night.

"I am," Ava replied politely.

"I'm glad."

For a moment, they stood in silence, watching guests laugh and dance.

Then Isabella spoke again.

"You know..."

Ava looked at her.

"You're the first woman I've ever seen make Nathan smile like that."

Ava felt warmth rise to her cheeks.

"I don't know about that."

"Oh, I do."

Isabella's smile remained calm.

"I've known Nathan for most of my life."

She took a slow sip of her champagne.

"He doesn't let people in."

Ava didn't know what to say.

"So..."

She simply listened.

Isabella turned fully toward her.

"I almost envy you."

Ava blinked.

"...Envy me?"

"For seeing this side of him."

Her smile softened.

"That's why..."

She paused just long enough to make Ava's heart beat a little faster.

"...I almost feel sorry for you."

Ava frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Isabella looked toward Nathan across the ballroom.

"He belongs to a world that destroys everything it touches."

Then she met Ava's eyes one last time.

"And sooner or later..."

"It'll come for you too."

She walked away before Ava could ask another question.

Ava remained exactly where she was.

The music continued.

People laughed.

Glasses clinked.

But somehow...

The ballroom suddenly felt much colder.