Becoming His Brother's Fiancée

Before Blake could retort, Chloe slipped out from behind him, clinging to his arm.

"Sarah, I heard you lost your memory in the accident. I've been so worried. It's so good to see that you and Julian are still so in love."

Her words were dripping with saccharine venom.

My breath hitched when I saw the fresh hickey blooming on her neck.

At the end of the night, Julian got an urgent call about a cross-border merger and had to leave, asking Blake to drive me home.

But the moment we were in the car, Chloe pressed a hand to her temple.

"Oh, I feel a little dizzy. And I need to stop by the bank to handle something."

I wanted to get my own cab, but they insisted I come along.

In the bank's private VIP lounge, Chloe suddenly produced a folder.

"Sarah, I'm launching my own personal brand for content creators, and I need a little startup capital. I was hoping you could…"

Before she could finish, Blake grabbed my wrist.

"She's your sister. Just co-sign the loan from your trust fund, what's the big deal?"

I stared at him, shocked, and tried to pull my arm away.

He frowned, his patience already wearing thin.

"You've been targeting Chloe ever since you got back. What's the big deal? Just guarantee the loan. God, Sarah Dubois, why do you have to be so cold?"

His grip was like iron; I couldn't break free.

I could only stand there, my face pale, as the bank manager and a lawyer cornered me, pressing me to sign the guarantee agreement.

Chloe watched with a smug, triumphant smile, her red lips curved in victory.

Blake's tirade continued, as if I were the villain. "Why are you making such a scene? Just cooperate and this will all be over. Chloe's your sister, too. Don't be so selfish. It's just money, it's not going to kill you."

He didn't seem to notice my lips turning white, my body swaying as the room started to close in.

Then—

The door burst open. It was Julian.

He strode in, ripped the contract from the manager's hand and tore it to shreds, his face a dark storm cloud.

"Blake, is this how you take care of my fiancée?"

As he spoke, he guided me into a chair, his touch so careful it felt like I might shatter. A second later, he grabbed a pale-faced Blake by the arm and hauled him into a side office.

Without another word, Chloe snatched her Hermès bag. "It's getting late. I'm heading home." She practically fled.

I followed silently and stood outside the office door.

The temperature inside seemed to have dropped to freezing.

Blake snapped, "Sarah is my fiancée. I'll do what I want. You're the one acting weird—don't tell me you've actually fallen for her."

He missed the storm gathering in Julian's eyes and barreled on. "You've never even been with a woman. Sarah's a bore, not your type at all. I was sick of her ages ago. You should find someone… untouched."

He was dead wrong.

Julian's fist slammed down on the desk. He lunged forward, grabbing Blake by the collar.

Blake flinched, clutching his chest and coughing.

The next second, Julian's hand was around his throat, pinning him against the wall.

"Blake, have I been too good to you? Is that how you talk about her? What the hell does that make you?"

His grip tightened. "I've been cleaning up your messes your whole life. If you're so unhappy with this arrangement, why don't you go tell her the truth?"

Blake's face was turning purple as he choked out, "I get it… I misspoke. But you still need to back off. It's bad for your reputation. You don't have to be so attentive just for my sake."

And just like that, it was settled.

But a strange glint flashed in Julian's eyes.

Something felt off.

Back at his place, Julian made cream of mushroom soup from scratch.

He watched me finish every spoonful before pulling me into his arms and lying down on the bed with me.

The man who'd promised to back off was now holding me as I slept.

As if his brother's warning meant nothing at all.

That night, I dreamt of the day Blake's business rivals had kidnapped me.

He was always so reckless, making enemies was practically his hobby.

He'd said he would pick me up from my gallery opening. I waited for two hours.

His enemies showed up instead.

They dragged me to an abandoned pier, their filthy hands all over me, their foul breath on my skin.

Julian was the one who rescued me.

As for Blake? He was off at a fashion week event with Chloe.

At the time, he'd told me, "She's your sister. I was helping you maintain family ties."

And I, like a fool, had believed him.

I woke with a start, drenched in a cold sweat, tears streaming down my face.

Julian, still half-asleep, pulled me tighter into his embrace. "Baby, don't be scared. I'm here."

I looked at his sleep-softened face, feeling a wave of dizziness.

Before, he wouldn't spare me a glance, acting as if my very presence annoyed him. Now, this gentleness came so easily. Was it real? Or was this all just an elaborate ruse to teach his brother a lesson?