Bloodline [Chapter 7]

The faint click of the door handle broke the silence. Glen stepped inside, sharp eyes landing on her. In his hand — a sleek, luxurious black dress.

“Wear this,” he ordered coolly, holding it out to her. “We’re going somewhere. Make sure you look good.”

Akiko didn’t move. The towel clung to her damp skin, her hair still dripping from the shower. She hadn’t expected him to barge in — though, by now, she should’ve known better.

"Can't you knock first?" Akiko snapped, irritated by his intrusion. Yes, the apartment was his, but she was still a woman—she deserved privacy.

"I do what I want," Glen shrugged, unfazed.

His hand remained steady, the fabric dangling between them like a silent command. Reluctantly, Akiko took the dress. The silk was smooth beneath her fingers, elegant… but short. Too short.

“Is there nothing else?” she asked, inspecting the outfit with mild distaste.

“What’s wrong with it?” Glen’s brow lifted, head tilting as he raked his gaze down her. “You’d look perfect in that… exactly how I want.”

“I don’t like short dresses.”

Without waiting for his response, she crossed the room to the wardrobe and pulled out a long, elegant gray gown — modest, simple, more her style. Glen didn’t argue. He just stood there, eyes lingering like they always did — cool, possessive, impossible to read.

“Could you leave?” she asked quietly.

Glen leaned lazily against the doorframe, eyes trailing over her with practiced arrogance.

“Just put it on. I won’t look,” he replied, though the way his gaze lingered betrayed the lie.

Eventually, with a low sigh, he pushed off the doorframe and turned away. “Fine, I'm leaving,”

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Akiko alone once again.

They weren’t going to the office today — for once, no endless hours trapped behind that glass fortress. But tonight… they still had to play their part in Glen’s world.

Glen was attending a party—a problematic one. That's why he brought Akiko. Her quiet, unbothered presence always calmed him. She never overreacted, never raised her voice. And the way her hand slipped into his whenever tension rose? Addictive.

"Let's go," Glen said when she appeared, greeting her with a kiss—his usual possessive ritual.

“At the party, don’t talk to anyone. Don’t eat anything. Understand?”

Akiko nodded quietly. What would she even say? She didn’t know a single soul here — except Glen.

Luxury cars lined the driveway as they arrived. Inside, sparkling chandeliers dripped from the high ceilings, gold accents gleamed along the walls, polished marble floors reflecting the soft glow of wealth and quiet, dangerous power.

They had barely taken three steps inside when a familiar voice greeted them.

“Well, look who finally decided to show up,” the man drawled, a sharp smile curling his lips.

Glen’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tensing. His hand found Akiko’s wrist — not protectively, but tightly, as if bracing himself.

“Still acting like the annoying brat, I see,” Glen retorted coolly, his voice laced with quiet disdain.

Marlen Xander.

His older brother by five years. The one who used to be his best friend. His shadow, his protector — until their family shattered like glass.

Glen chose their father.

Marlen stayed with their mother.

The rift had only grown since then, twisted by betrayal, resentment, and silence. Now, they stood on opposite sides of everything — business, loyalty… blood.

“And who’s this lovely girl?” Marlen asked, his eyes drifting lazily over Akiko. There was amusement in his tone — the kind that pried, provoked.

Glen didn’t answer. Instead, his arm slid protectively around Akiko’s waist, pulling her behind him with quiet, possessive force.

“So… my little brother has a girlfriend now?” Marlen smirked, his words soaked in mockery.

“Mom! Look who’s here,” Marlen called, his voice carrying across the grand hall.

Akiko followed his gaze as a woman turned at the sound. Her eyes widened in shock the moment she saw Glen.

“Glen…” she whispered.

Harley. Their biological mother.

The woman Glen had spent years avoiding. The one he’d shut out completely, even throwing her out when she dared to set foot in his office.

“Sit,” Glen instructed Akiko curtly. She obeyed without protest, settling onto the plush seat beside him, though her pulse quickened under the heavy tension that filled the room.

This wasn’t just any party.

It was Harley’s grand celebration — the opening of her luxurious jewelry boutique. A display of wealth, power… and calculated image. She had invited Glen, likely praying he’d show up. What she didn’t expect… was that he’d bring someone with him.

A woman.

Proof that, even after cutting them all off, Glen could still walk in here — thriving, successful, untouchable.

“Glen, I want to talk to you for a moment,” Harley said softly, approaching their table.

“What right do you have to talk to me?” Glen snapped, his words sharp, cold as glass.

Harley flinched but quickly masked it, switching tactics — playing her old games to ease the tension.

“Is she your girlfriend?” Harley asked, her gaze shifting to Akiko, studying her. “She’s beautiful.”

“Of course,” Glen replied stiffly, his voice clipped, guarded.

Harley sighed, lowering herself onto the chair across from them, her shoulders heavy with regret.

“Please, Glen… just for a moment. I really want to talk.”

“Talk about what?” Glen’s voice dropped lower, quiet but venomous. His bitterness laced every syllable. “You want to tell me you regret having a son like me?”

Harley’s eyes faltered. Her gaze fell to the floor, the mask of confidence slipping, replaced by raw, heavy guilt.

Beside him, Akiko felt Glen’s grip tighten around her hand — cold, unrelenting. His fingers curled possessively over hers, not for comfort… but control. As if grounding himself. As if reminding her, and everyone else, exactly where she stood — by his side, whether she wanted to or not.

Before Harley could respond, a man in a sharp tuxedo approached, flashing a polished smile. “Mrs. Harley, the investors are asking for you.”

Harley hesitated, her eyes flickering between Glen and the man. “Please… don’t leave yet.” she whispered to Glen, almost pleading.

Without waiting for his reply, she turned, quickly masking her emotions behind a perfect social smile as she walked toward the crowd.

A heavy silence settled over the table for a brief moment — until another familiar voice cut through the air.

“Glen,” Marlen’s sharp tone called from the side, his expression unreadable. “Come with me. We need to talk.”

Glen didn’t react right away. His thumb traced slow, dangerous circles against Akiko’s wrist as his eyes locked with his brother’s.

Finally, he stood.

“Wait here,” Glen ordered Akiko, his voice low, steady, absolute. “Don’t eat anything until I get back.”

His fingers lingered on her wrist for a brief second longer — possessive, warning, final — before he let go and walked away.

Akiko sat frozen, her pulse loud in her ears as she watched both men disappear into the crowd.

Two brothers

Bound by blood

Shattered by everything else.