MY FATED LOVE

THE BROTHER'S ARRIVAL AND THE WALL OF GLASS

Chapter 6: The Brother’s Arrival and the Wall of Glass

The morning after the big fight felt like walking through a graveyard. Aries had not slept. Her eyes were red, and her heart felt heavy. She had lost her dream contract with L’Aura, and she felt like Julian had insulted her hard work by trying to "buy" her success from Natasha.

Julian wasn’t doing much better. He had spent the night in his office, staring at the wall. He was a man who solved every problem with money or power. He didn't understand why Aries was so angry. In his head, he was protecting his wife. In her head, he was treating her like a child.

Aries was in the kitchen, quietly making a piece of toast, when the quiet was shattered.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Someone was hitting the front door of the penthouse so hard the decorations on the walls were shaking.

"Julian! Open this door right now before I kick it off the hinges!" a deep, angry voice roared from the hallway.

Aries froze. She knew that voice. It was a voice that had protected her from bullies when she was six years old. It was a voice that had cheered the loudest at her graduation.

"Ethan?" she whispered.

Julian came running out of his room, buttoning his shirt. He looked confused and annoyed. "Who on earth is making that noise at eight in the morning?"

Julian opened the door, and for a split second, he looked like he regretted it.

Standing there was Ethan, Aries’ older brother. Ethan was a construction engineer who spent his days on building sites. He was taller than Julian, broader than Julian, and currently looked like he wanted to turn Julian into a pile of dust.

Before Julian could say "Hello," Ethan’s fist moved like lightning.

THWACK!

The sound echoed through the marble hallway. Julian’s head snapped back, and he fell against the wall, clutching his jaw.

"Ethan! Stop!" Aries screamed, running toward them.

Ethan stepped into the apartment, ignoring the luxury furniture and the expensive art. He pointed a thick finger at Julian, who was trying to stand back up. "You! I saw the news! I saw those photos of you and that snake Natasha. I stayed away because Aries told me she could handle it, but then I heard about her losing her contract because of your drama. You are a pathetic excuse for a man."

The Clash of Titans

Julian wiped a bit of blood from his lip. His eyes were dark and cold. Most people would be terrified of Ethan, but Julian was a Thorne. He didn't back down.

"Get out of my house," Julian said, his voice a low, dangerous hiss.

"Make me," Ethan challenged, stepping closer.

Aries jumped between them, pushing her hands against Ethan’s chest. "Ethan, please! This isn't helping! You can't just walk in here and punch my husband."

"Husband?" Ethan laughed bitterly. "Aries, look at him. He’s using you. He’s a billionaire who thinks he can buy people. Our family might not have his billions, but we have honor. And there is no honor in this house."

Ethan turned back to Julian. "I’m taking her home. Pack your bags, Aries. You’re coming back to our parents' house. You don't have to stay here and be humiliated by this clown."

Julian felt a cold spike of fear in his chest. He looked at Aries. He realized that if she walked out that door, she might never come back. The "contract" wouldn't matter. The money wouldn't matter. He would just be alone in a big, empty glass box.

"She’s stayng," Julian said. He wasn't shouting now; he sounded desperate. "I know I messed up. I know the Natasha thing is a mess. But I’m trying to fix it."

"You’re a liar," Ethan spat.

The New Arrangement

Aries looked at the two men. One was her past—the brother who always fought for her. The other was her strange, complicated present—the husband who didn't know how to love but was trying in his own messy way.

"I’m not leaving, Ethan," Aries said firmly.

Ethan looked shocked. "Aries, why? You’re miserable here!"

"Because I’m not a quitter," Aries said, her voice growing stronger. "If I leave now, Natasha wins. Marcus wins. Everyone thinks I ran away because I couldn't handle the pressure. I stay. But," she turned to look at Julian, "things are changing."

Julian nodded quickly. "Anything. What do you want?"

"This apartment is huge," Aries said. "From now on, the left wing is yours. The right wing is mine. We do not enter each other's space without an invitation. We only see each other for 'business' events or family dinners with your grandfather. And," she looked at her brother, "Ethan is moving into the guest suite. He’s going to stay here for a while to make sure you keep your promise."

Julian’s jaw dropped. "He’s moving in? He just punched me in the face!"

"Consider it a security guard you don't have to pay for," Ethan said with a mean grin.

Life with the Brother-in-Law

The next few days were the most stressful days of Julian’s life.

Julian liked order. He liked expensive wine, quiet mornings, and classical music.

Ethan liked chaos. He liked loud rock music, eating pizza over the sink, and leaving his muddy boots in the middle of the living room.

Every time Julian tried to speak to Aries, Ethan was there.

If Julian tried to talk to Aries in the hallway: "Back off, Thorne. She’s busy," Ethan would say, standing like a giant wall in front of her door.

If Julian tried to eat dinner with Aries: Ethan would sit at the head of the table, talking with his mouth full about how much he hated "corporate sharks."

One afternoon, Julian was in the kitchen trying to make a protein shake. Ethan walked in, took the blender out of Julian’s hand, and started making a massive sandwich.

"You know," Ethan said, not looking at him. "Aries used to talk about finding a 'fated love.' She wanted someone who would see her for who she is. Not a CEO. Not a business partner. Just a woman. You aren't that guy, Julian."

Julian felt a sting of pain. "I could be. I just don't know how."

Ethan stopped chewing and looked at him. For a second, he didn't look like he wanted to punch him. He looked like he was studying a difficult puzzle. "Then stop trying to be her boss. Start trying to be her friend. But if you touch her hair without her permission, I’m throwing you off this balcony."

The Growing Jealousy

While Julian was struggling with Ethan, Aries was trying to move on. She had started a new project, and she was meeting with a new consultant—Theo, her old flame from the coffee shop.

Theo started coming to the penthouse to help Aries with her marketing data. Since he was a "business guest," Ethan let him in.

Julian would sit in his glass-walled office, watching through the door as Theo and Aries laughed over a laptop. Theo would lean in close to show her something on the screen, and Julian would feel like he was suffocating. He wanted to run out there and tell Theo to leave. He wanted to tell Aries that she was his wife.

But he couldn't. He had a contract. He had a brother-in-law watching him. And most of all, he had a wife who didn't trust him.

One night, after Theo left, Julian saw a bouquet of lilies on the table. They were Aries’ favorite. The card said: “To a beautiful woman and an even better partner. – Theo.”

Julian picked up the card and crushed it in his hand. He felt a fire in his veins that had nothing to do with Natasha. This was real, burning jealousy. He was realized that he didn't just want Aries to stay for the contract. He wanted her to want him.

The Secret Threat Returns

As the chapter ends, Aries is in her room, finally feeling a bit of peace. But then, her phone pings.

It’s an email from an anonymous sender. Attached is a video.

Aries clicks play. It’s a video of her and Theo from years ago—it looks very romantic, and if it were leaked now, it would look like she was cheating on Julian.

The message below the video says:

"Your brother can't protect you from the truth, Aries. If you want this video to stay private, tell Julian to step down from the Thorne Group board. You have three days to decide. Tell anyone, and the video goes live."

Aries dropped her phone on the bed. She realized that Marcus and Natasha weren't just trying to ruin her career anymore. They were trying to destroy the entire Thorne family using her past.

She looked at her door. Julian was on the other side. Ethan was on the other side. She felt more alone than ever.