Between Two Brothers

               CHAPTER EIGHT

            Between Two Brothers 

Annie’s POV

Diaman’s grip tightened around my wrist as he pulled me to a quieter corner of the hallway. 

“So tell me,” he snapped, looking me up and down, “is that how desperate you’ve become for money?”

I stiffened.

“You are pretending to date Grey,” he continued, with a low venomous voice. A bitter laugh escaped him. “Thank God I found out early. Imagine if I had made the mistake of marrying someone this cheap.”

His fingers bit into my wrist harder, and a sharp pain shot up my arm. I couldn't pull away. My heart was pounding so loud I could hear it in my ears. 

Four years of standing by him, of believing him, shrinking myself so he could feel bigger. And this was what he saw me as now. Cheap. Desperate. My throat burned, but I swallowed it down. I would never cry for him. Not here. Not ever again.

“You cheated. Lie. And marry someone else!” I continued, my voice shaking with fury, “but suddenly I’m the cheap one? Suddenly I’m desperate?”

He clenched his jaw.

“You lost the right to judge me the moment you chose her. So don’t stand there acting like you’re better. You’re not.”

“You have no place in my family, Annie,” he said coldly. “And now you’re after my brother?” He shook his head in disgust. “I didn’t think you could sink this low.”

“Just look at you,” he continued, his eyes scanning me like I was something dirty he'd stepped on. “This isn't who you pretended to be with me. Or was that all an act too?”

That one hit harder than the rest. My hand twitched. For a second, I wanted to slap him. To ask him how dare he reduce everything I gave him to a lie.

Instead, I let out a sarcastic laugh, as anger was starting to boil over me. “You don’t believe it? You think you know me so well?”

He scoffed. “I know enough.”

“What if I wasn’t as loyal as you thought?” 

“You’re doing this because of me?”

“Doing what?” I snapped. “Standing beside a man who actually wants me there? Is that what you mean?”

“That’s not Grey. You don’t even know him.”

I laughed, bitterly. “And you do? You didn’t even know he owned the company you’ve been buying from for two years.”

"That is none of your fucking business! You just have to stay away from me, my brother, and my family!" He said in gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry, Diaman, that's too late. Besides, I still have a lot of things to do," I said, turning, only for him to grab my arm again.

"I'm not done talking to you! What do you really want to happen, huh? What do you want from our family? Is this how desperate you are for money?!"

I brushed him off, meeting his eyes evenly. "Don’t you dare disrespect your elder brother's girlfriend."

"Annie!" His teeth gritted. "Stop this nonsense and stay out of our lives. Two years with my brother, have you forgotten we were together for four years?"

I laughed sarcastically. “Well, what if I actually two-timed you? Come on, Diaman. You are not the only one who can do that. Don’t let Katy, your wife, see you here.”

His face twisted between rage and disbelief. “You're lying,” he spat. “You couldn't—”

“Couldn't what?” I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Be like you?”

"You…."

I was almost gone when Grey stepped into the hallway.

Diaman stiffened, his grip loosening as if he'd lost control. Grey stood at the far end of the hallway, watching. His gaze moved from me to his brother.

Grey’s POV

I knew my family well enough to read their eyes. They had already trusted and accepted Annie.

"Grey, we’re so proud of you and Annie. She’s perfect for you. You both will make a great couple, just like your brother and his wife. You should bring her home more often, even to family dinners. And… we’re expecting a baby from your brother soon. We want that from you too. What will you give us?" Mum’s hands fluttered, painting the air with enthusiasm.

“Annie is different,” she continued. “Very composed. Just like Katy was when we first met her.”

I looked at her in disbelief. "Mum, we’re just dating. Not even married yet. And you’re talking about children?"

"I know, darling. I believe you love her enough to make her your wife someday. No pressure, but she’s perfect for you."

This was exactly why I came up with this stupid plan. I’m tired of them dictating my life.

"We’re still learning about each other, mum. We’re not rushing into marriage."

"Take your time, my boy, but don't let us wait too long," she said, smiling, walking away.

I forced a smile as she left, irritation coiling in my chest. I needed to control all these.

I was speaking to Annie in the hallway when an urgent business call came in. I left to handle it, only to return and see Diaman confronting her.

"Annie, go inside. I’ll join you soon."

She obeyed immediately. Diaman turned to me, tense.

"Grey, I need to tell you something. About your girlfriend. It’s obvious she’s after our family’s wealth. You don’t even know her that much."

"I know Annie, and I want her to be my girlfriend. My decision is final."

"Bro, that’s impossible. What did she tell you? I swear she’s not the kind of woman you’d want to date or marry."

“Because she’s your ex-girlfriend?"

His eyes widened. "I… I…"

"If Mum and Dad knew what you did to her, you’d be dead. Now, stay out of my personal life, Diaman. I know what I’m doing."

"You’re stupid, Grey. I swear you’ll regret dating her. Don’t blame me later." He walked away, teeth clenched.

I massaged my temples. Grey is a spoiled younger brother of mine. Even when we were kids, I was always the one who takes the punishment of whatever he does.

Speaking of Annie. Of course I will definitely check her background. Even if it's a fake relationship, I need every detail. Women were liabilities, distractions and weak point to empires like mine.

Also, she seems decent. I just have to play along, support her briefly, then discard her after. My empire allows no mistakes. I have built it all my life. There's no way I would let a mere woman ruin it all. Falling for a w

oman like her? Not in the plan. 

Everything is just for convenience for now and I will never fail my plans.