Chapter 3: The Man I Should Avoid

JULIET

“Oh my goodness, Adrian!” Andrew yelled in shock, pulling his brother into a tight hug.

The entire hall erupted into happy laughter.

He had definitely changed. His shoulders were broader, and he looked a little taller than Andrew now. They were identical twins—dark hair, sharp jawlines, and captivating dimples. The only real way to tell them apart used to be their eyes; Andrew had his mother’s hazel eyes, while Adrian inherited their late father’s piercing blue ones. But now, you could tell them apart just by their builds.

Andrew pulled back, scanning Adrian from head to toe before shaking his head in total disbelief. “Damn, you look good. I’m almost falling for you myself, bro.”

Adrian let out a quiet chuckle. “You’d have to be gay for that, man,” he said casually.

Everyone laughed—except me. I couldn't find a single thing funny right now. My entire life was hanging by a thread.

“You still talk nasty, Adrian,” Sofia chuckled, reaching out to touch his arm. He just scoffed.

My heart sank as I stared at her. Sofia was so lucky. She was gorgeous, and everyone loved her—including my husband.

“Hey, sister-in-law. You look pale. Are you still mad at my brother?”

My pulse spiked as I lifted my head to meet Adrian’s eyes. A small smile played on his lips as he looked at me. Something about his gaze made my heart skip a beat, and I quickly looked away. How did he know? Did Andrew tell him?

Andrew immediately chuckled, stepping closer to wrap a protective arm around my waist. My chest tightened, and I gripped the fabric of my dress.

“No, brother. I actually have to thank you—your advice worked. She forgave me,” Andrew said smoothly, pressing a gentle kiss to my hair.

“Does she even have the right to get mad at us?” Sofia’s voice cut in, as rude as ever.

“My dear, a lowlife getting angry? How hilarious,” Andrew's aunt sneered behind her.

“What the fuck is going on here?” Adrian’s voice sliced through the noise, loud and lethal.

The entire hall went dead silent.

He turned to Andrew, his eyes burning with pure rage.

“You actually let people talk to your wife like that?!” he barked at Andrew. A collective gasp echoed through the room.

He snapped his head toward Sofia, his gaze cold. “And what gives you the right to speak to her like that?”

Sofia froze, her knees visibly trembling as if they were about to give out.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I watched this man fight for me in public. Andrew defended me sometimes, but never with this kind of raw, undeniable force.

“From today on, I don't want to hear anyone call her a lowlife ever again. She is part of the Morales family now, and she will be treated like it,” Adrian declared, his voice echoing off the high ceilings. “And whoever dares go against my order will face the wrath of the Morales twins.”

Nobody moved. Nobody said a word. I knew he was the younger twin, but the authority he radiated right now felt like the oldest.

I had only met Adrian once before—on my wedding day, when he complimented my dress and told Andrew his future kids would be gorgeous because his bride was. The very next day, he flew off to the UK. He barely knew me, yet he was standing up for me like this.

“Oh my goodness, my little boy!” Grandma’s voice broke the suffocating tension.

Adrian’s sharp face instantly softened. He rushed over, scooping Grandma up in a hug that made her burst into giggles, and the crowd finally relaxed into laughter again.

Before I could stop myself, a small, genuine smile slipped onto my face for the first time since yesterday.

“Grandma, you look way too sweet tonight. May I have the first dance?” Adrian asked dramatically, extending his hand. She giggled shyly, making the crowd chuckle again.

They swayed together on the dance floor for a few moments before he escorted her back to her seat.

“I'm so sorry about earlier, Juliet. I’ll make it up to you, okay? Just wait for me right here—I need to talk to Grandma,” Andrew whispered, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek before walking away.

Almost instantly, three young women approached me.

“Mrs. Morales, you look so beautiful in this dress!” one of them said, her voice dripping with practiced sweetness.

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Thank you,” I forced a polite smile.

“You seem really close with Adrian... could you maybe put in a good word for us?” another asked softly.

Seriously? Just because he defended me doesn't mean we're close. But I knew better than to say that out loud.

“Sure, I will,” I replied with a warm smile. They all giggled excitedly, giving me quick hugs before floating away toward the bar.

I couldn't help the smile that stayed on my face. That was the very first time I’d ever been treated with respect at a family party.

“Don't get all high and mighty. That's just how Adrian is—he's always nice to the poor." Sofia’s bitter voice cut in from behind me.

I clenched my fists in my dress, turning around to face her.

I’d been swallowing every insult she threw at me for a year and a half, but after what I saw yesterday, I felt nothing but utter disgust for her. I didn't even blame her as much as I blamed Andrew—but I was done taking her hit.

I let out a soft, mocking laugh. “Oh, really? And what makes you think you're rich?”

Her brows pulled together in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

I stepped closer, leaning in to whisper right against her ear: “Don't forget we’re in the exact same boat. Except mine is different—I actually married into this family. You didn't. So if I were you, I'd be a lot more worried about where I stand.”

Her eyes widened in shock, and her finger shot up to point at me, her mouth hanging open.

Aunt Bianca’s husband had been cast out by Grandma for stealing from the company a year ago. Sofia was only allowed to stay here because Aunt Bianca begged Andrew to keep her around. She had privileges I didn't have because she had my husband’s secret affection and Aunt Bianca’s protection, but I wasn't going to let her walk all over me anymore—not after learning her dirty secret with my husband.

“Hey, young lady... may I have this dance?” a deep, familiar voice rumbled behind me.

A sudden shiver ran down my spine. I turned around to find Adrian standing there, his hand extended toward me.

“Adrian, she has a husband,” Sofia snapped immediately, but Adrian didn't even glance her way.

“Do me the honor, please,” he insisted softly.

I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my chest. He... he wants to dance with me?

Almost against my own will, my hand slipped into his broad palm. Instantly, he pulled me in, and my head lightly bumped against his firm chest. His dark, intoxicating cologne wrapped around me completely.

My breath caught as his hand settled firmly on my waist. I tried to create a little distance, but his grip remained solid.

“Hey... stay still,” Adrian murmured calmly.

My heart skipped a beat. I glanced around—people were busy talking and dancing, nobody paying any attention to us except Sofia, whose face was practically burning with jealousy.

Is she really trying to keep both brothers to herself?

Seeing the raw fury on her face triggered something petty inside me, and I decided to stop pulling away.

“You’ve changed a lot, Juliet,” he said softly, looking down at me. “You look even cuter now... and very hard to ignore.”

Everything inside me went still. I locked eyes with him, but his expression was entirely unreadable. Was that just a casual compliment to him?

Because it was making my chest shudder in a way it definitely shouldn't.