My Brother Made Me Marry His Secret Lover

After ending the call, I finally descended the stairs. Before exiting the room, I reached for my hearing aid in my pocket and placed it back in my ear.

My brother caught sight of me and couldn't help but furrow his brows, his face marked with disdain.

"What's taking you so long? Are you dragging your feet? What have you been doing?"

I moistened my dry lips. "I'm not feeling too great today..."

Before I could finish, Madeleine interjected.

"Just let it go, Liam. If she doesn't want to do it, don't pressure her. I can handle it..."

Hearing this, my brother's anger intensified. "Amaya, can you stop being so self-centered?"

"You can't even whip up some ravioli. Caiden's been gone for days, and Madeleine hasn't been eating well. She finally has an appetite today, and you're just delaying! Do you even have an ounce of sisterly duty?"

Listening to my brother's rant and seeing the disdain in his eyes, I felt a sharp pang in my heart.

Vicente chimed in from the side, "Just get through it. Don't rile up your brother."

His cold words made my throat constrict. I nodded, turned around, and headed into the kitchen.

Soon enough, Madeleine sauntered in, sporting a smug look.

"Oh, who would have thought that the Aguilar family's eldest daughter would end up like this..."

"You're just like a housekeeper, it's pathetic!"

I cast an expressionless glance her way and continued with my task.

Madeleine always wore that smug expression in private; I'd become accustomed to it since childhood.

Seeing me ignore her, she grew irritated.

"Amaya, I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear? How arrogant for someone who's deaf!"

Her biting words sent a chill through me.

She had taken Caiden, swayed my brother, and captivated Vicente's attention.

Yet even with all that, she wasn't satisfied. She wanted to crush me completely.

"Honestly, when you think about it, you're quite pitiful. Your fiancé was taken by me, your brother prefers me, and even your husband holds me in higher regard!"

"And you probably still don't know, but it's your beloved brother who arranged for someone to damage your hearing."

Madeleine watched me intently, searching for any sign of pain or despair on my face.

But I simply responded, "I know."

Taken aback by my calmness, she changed her tone and raised her eyebrows, gesturing to my belly.

"Oh, right, you're pregnant, aren't you?"

"Recently, your brother and your husband decided I should have access to the latest heart available."

"So... you better deliver that baby safely."

It was shocking to realize they were now setting their sights on my unborn child.

Unable to contain myself, I slapped her hard across the face.

The sound echoed loudly enough to draw the attention of the two in the living room.

Hearing their hurried footsteps approaching, Madeleine covered her face, eyes shimmering with tears.

"Sister, I know you don't like me, you're still bitter about Caiden and Liam's affection for me. I could leave..."

Vicente rushed in first, instinctively shielding her, leaving me no opportunity to explain.

"Amaya, what are you doing? Can't you talk things out? Why resort to violence?"

I lifted my head to look at the man I'd loved for four years. The explanation got stuck in my throat.

Before I could react, my brother entered and slapped me across the face.

Caught off guard, I stumbled and fell to the floor.

"Amaya, do you want to ruin everything? Apologize to Madeleine immediately, and on your knees!"