The Brother I Was Never Supposed to Want

Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

The Gala

The cream-colored envelope sat on Ava's kitchen counter.

She had opened it so many times over the past three days that the edges were beginning to curl.

Walker Foundation Annual Charity Gala.

Guest: Miss Ava Carter.

Every time she looked at it, her stomach twisted.

"What am I doing?" she muttered.

Mochi stretched lazily across the couch, completely uninterested in her crisis.

"You think this is easy?"

He blinked once before closing his eyes again.

Ava sighed.

"I don't belong at a gala where people probably spend more on dinner than I make in a month."

Her phone buzzed.

Chloe Calling...

Ava answered immediately.

"You sound stressed."

"I am."

"I knew it."

"I think I'm going to cancel."

There was a loud gasp on the other end.

"You absolutely are not."

"I'll embarrass Nathan."

"No."

"I don't know how rich people behave."

"They behave like people with more money."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

A knock sounded at Ava's apartment door.

"Hold on."

She opened it.

Chloe walked in carrying three garment bags and two shopping bags.

"What..."

"I came prepared."

"You planned this?"

"I've known you for years."

Chloe dropped everything onto the couch.

"I knew you'd panic."

"I am not panicking."

"You called yourself a financial burden to a billionaire."

"...I did."

"You've been panicking since the invitation arrived."

Ava rubbed her forehead.

"I don't even own a dress."

"I rented one."

"You what?"

"I rented one."

"Chloe!"

"What?"

"I can't afford that."

"You don't have to."

"I already paid."

Ava stared at her best friend.

"I'll pay you back."

"No."

"I will."

"You can."

"When?"

"When you're a world-famous artist."

Ava laughed despite herself.

"You really believe that?"

"I don't believe it."

Chloe smiled.

"I know it."

---

Forty minutes later...

Ava stepped out of the bedroom wearing a midnight-blue gown that flowed elegantly to the floor.

The dress hugged her waist before falling softly around her legs.

She had never worn anything like it.

She stopped in front of the mirror.

"I look ridiculous."

Chloe almost dropped her makeup brush.

"Excuse me?"

"I look like I'm pretending to be someone else."

Chloe walked behind her.

"No."

She gently rested her hands on Ava's shoulders.

"You've spent your whole life trying to make yourself smaller so people wouldn't judge you."

She met Ava's eyes in the mirror.

"Tonight..."

"You stop apologizing for existing."

Ava looked at her reflection again.

She still saw the girl who painted murals on forgotten walls.

But...

Maybe that wasn't something to be ashamed of.

A knock echoed through the apartment.

Chloe peeked through the window.

"Oh."

"What?"

"Your billionaire's here."

---

Nathan stepped out of the black SUV precisely at seven.

He adjusted the sleeve of his tuxedo while glancing toward the apartment entrance.

The door opened.

Ava walked outside.

Nathan forgot every sentence he'd planned to say.

She looked...

Beautiful wasn't enough.

She looked effortless.

The evening breeze gently moved a few loose strands of her hair as she carefully walked down the steps.

She stopped in front of him.

Nathan simply stared.

Ava shifted awkwardly.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

"...Then why are you looking at me like that?"

He blinked.

"I'm trying to remember how to speak."

Ava laughed.

The nervousness she'd been carrying all day eased instantly.

"That's a terrible line."

"I wasn't trying to impress you."

"You weren't?"

"No."

"I was stating a fact."

She shook her head, smiling.

"You always know what to say."

"I usually don't."

He opened the passenger door for her.

"You just make it difficult."

Her cheeks warmed.

She climbed into the SUV before he could notice.

Unfortunately...

He already had.

---

The drive through Manhattan was peaceful.

The city glowed beneath thousands of lights.

Ava watched people walking along the sidewalks.

"Nathan?"

"Hm?"

"What if your father hates me?"

Nathan didn't answer immediately.

Finally...

"He probably will."

She looked at him.

"That's supposed to make me feel better?"

"No."

"I don't lie to people I care about."

She looked out the window again.

"What if everyone hates me?"

"They won't."

"You just said..."

"They don't know you."

He glanced at her briefly.

"And anyone worth knowing will."

His calm certainty settled something inside her.

---

The Walker Foundation Gala occupied the grand ballroom of one of Manhattan's most prestigious hotels.

Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead.

A live orchestra played softly.

Servers moved gracefully through the room carrying trays of champagne.

Luxury.

Elegance.

Power.

Ava suddenly wished she had stayed home.

Nathan noticed.

Without saying anything, he offered his arm.

She hesitated.

Then, slipped her hand through it.

The ballroom doors opened.

Conversations stopped.

Dozens of heads turned.

Whispers spread almost immediately.

"That's Nathan Walker."

"Who's the woman?"

"Isn't that Ethan's ex?"

"I heard she's an artist."

"Richard won't like this."

Ava heard enough to make her stomach tighten.

Nathan quietly placed his hand over hers.

She looked at him.

"You okay?"

She nodded.

"I think so."

"If it gets too much..."

He smiled faintly.

"We leave."

She blinked.

"...Just like that?"

"Just like that."

Something about knowing she had an escape made it easier to stay.

---

Victoria Walker spotted them first.

Her face lit up.

"There you are."

She walked over and hugged Ava before the younger woman even had time to react.

"You look absolutely beautiful."

Ava smiled shyly.

"Thank you."

Victoria lowered her voice.

"Nervous?"

"A little."

Victoria laughed softly.

"So was I."

"You?"

"My first Walker gala."

Ava looked surprised.

Victoria nodded knowingly.

"I spent the entire evening convinced someone would discover I didn't belong."

"And?"

"They never did."

She smiled warmly.

"Because I finally realized something."

"What?"

"The people who make you feel like you don't belong usually aren't worth impressing."

Ava smiled.

"I'll try to remember that."

"I'll remind you if you forget."

---

Unfortunately...

The peaceful moment didn't last.

Richard Walker approached with several influential businessmen beside him.

"Nathan."

"Father."

Richard's eyes settled on Ava.

"So..."

"This is Ava Carter."

Ava extended her hand politely.

"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Walker."

He shook it.

His smile never reached his eyes.

"I've heard quite a lot about you."

"I hope it was good."

"That depends."

The words were polite.

The meaning wasn't.

Nathan noticed Ava's shoulders stiffen.

He stepped slightly closer.

The movement was subtle.

Protective.

Richard noticed it immediately.

Before he could speak again, a familiar voice interrupted.

"Richard."

Every head turned.

A woman entered the ballroom wearing a champagne-colored gown that seemed designed specifically for her.

Elegant.

Poised.

Confident.

She greeted several guests by name before approaching the Walker family.

Richard smiled.

"There she is."

Nathan's expression remained unreadable.

The woman stopped before him.

"It's been a long time."

"It has."

She smiled.

"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten me."

"I haven't."

Her eyes shifted toward Ava.

"You must be Ava."

Her smile was warm.

Almost too warm.

Ava offered her hand.

"It's nice to meet you."

The woman shook it gently.

"Isabella Sinclair."

"I've heard your name."

"I'm sure you have."

She glanced at Nathan.

"We've known each other for most of our lives."

Richard smiled proudly.

"Our families practically grew up together."

"And Nathan," Isabella added lightly, "used to complain every time I beat him at chess."

Ava looked at Nathan in surprise.

"You play chess?"

"I lose occasionally."

Isabella laughed.

"Only to me."

For the first time that evening...

Ava felt like she was standing outside a story that had begun years before she arrived.

She didn't know the memories they shared.

Or the history between them.

Nathan noticed the uncertainty in her expression.

Without hesitation, he turned toward her.

"Ava."

She looked up.

"Would you like something to drink?"

The simple question broke the tension.

"Yes, please."

"I'll be right back."

As soon as he walked away, Isabella looked at Ava.

"You seem kind."

"I try to be."

"I can see why Nathan likes you."

Ava smiled politely.

"I enjoy spending time with him."

"I'm sure you do."

Isabella's tone remained pleasant.

"But Nathan has always had a habit of protecting people."

She took a sip of champagne.

"Sometimes..."

"He mistakes responsibility for affection."

Ava's smile faded slightly.

Before she could answer, Victoria appeared beside them.

"I've been looking everywhere for you, Ava."

She slipped an arm through Ava's.

"Come."

"I want to introduce you to the gallery director I told you about."

Ava looked relieved.

"I'd love that."

As they walked away, Victoria glanced back once.

She met Isabella's eyes.

The two women exchanged polite smiles.

Neither trusted the other.

Across the ballroom...

Nathan returned carrying two glasses.

He frowned.

"Where's Ava?"

Isabella smiled.

"Your mother rescued her."

Nathan nodded once.

"Good."

He walked away without another word.

Isabella watched him go.

For years...

She had known exactly how to hold Nathan's attention.

Tonight...

He hadn't looked at her twice.

And for the first time in a very long time...

Isabella realized she might actually have competition.