My CEO brother wants me

Lucien sat by the window of the long black luxury sedan, his arm resting against the door as he stared outside. The city moved past them in a blur of lights and glass buildings, but he wasn’t really looking at any of it.Across from him, his mother kept glancing his way.“Lucien,” she said gently, “about what happened earlier…”He didn’t turn. “I told you already,” he said. “I couldn’t control it.”Seraphina sighed softly and leaned back in her seat.The outburst that morning had been bad. A shattered vase. Raised voices. One of the house staff had to be sent home in tears.It wasn’t the first time, and they weren't sure it would be the last.His father, Alaric, sat beside him, calm as always, hands resting on his cane.“Your therapist made another recommendation,” Alaric said.Lucien didn’t react, but he was listening.“He thinks it might help if we adopted a child,” Alaric continued. “A young girl. Someone who could stay close to you. Someone you could bond with.”That got Lucien’s

AvaI took a breath and walked down the stairs.I didn’t see him yet, but I heard his voice. It was deeper than I remembered, the kind of voice that didn’t need to be loud to be heard.“I’ve been busy,” he said.Seraphina clicked her tongue. “Busy is not an excuse, Lucien. You disappear for months and think visiting now fixes it.”“I call,” he replied.“Once in a while,” she shot back. “You didn’t even visit when Ava was still abroad.”I slowed my steps without meaning to.Alaric sighed softly. “You two have been having this same argument for years,” he said. “Let him breathe.”I reached the bottom step just as Seraphina looked up and saw me.Her face softened immediately. “There you are.”Lucien turned, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.He was taller, somehow impossibly taller than he was six years ago. I didn’t even know how that was possible. I had seen him on screens, interviews and articles. The media loved him.But none of it came close.He was wearing black from head t

AvaThe moment he left my room, my legs gave out. I didn’t even realize when I sat down on the bed.My heart was still racing and my thoughts were running faster than I could hold onto any of them.Marry him?Lucien?I placed my hands on my face to try to calm my breathing. But the more I thought about what he said, the more the past started rearranging itself in my head.Small things, things I never questioned before, like the day he told me not to call our parents Mom and Dad.I was nine.We were having dinner, and I remember calling Seraphina “Mom”. Lucien’s voice cut in immediately.“Don’t call her that.”I had looked at him, confused.“Why?” I asked.“Because they’re not your parents,” he said flatly.I remembered how quiet the table had gone.Seraphina had tried to smooth it over, saying I could call them whatever made me comfortable but Lucien didn’t agree.Back then, I thought he was just being rude and cold. I thought he didn’t like me.Never in my wildest dreams did I think

AVA When I stepped out of the house, I saw the black Rolls-Royce from yesterday parked at the entrance. The same one that had picked me up from the airport. The driver stood beside it, along with one of the Hale security men. Both straight-backed, professional, waiting like they had been there long before I came out. The moment they saw me, they bowed. “Good morning, Miss Ava,” the driver said. “Good morning,” I replied. “Where are you headed, ma’am? The boss told us to prepare the car.” I frowned slightly. He knew I would go out. Of course he did. I exhaled, then answered, “Greenfield.” He nodded immediately and moved to open the back door, but I stopped him. “I can’t take this car.” I said. He blinked, confused. “Ma’am?” “It’s too much,” I explained. “I’m going to apply for a job, not attend a gala. I can’t show up in a Rolls-Royce.” Understanding dawned slowly on his face. “I see.” He straightened again. “Please follow me, Miss Ava.” He led me past t

AVA Lucien. It had to be him. Foolish of me to think his influence wouldn’t reach here, when he practically controlled the economy of Port Elam. Greenfield included, apparently. I looked at the lead interviewer, then at the others. They wouldn’t meet my eyes for long. I exhaled and forced a small smile. “It’s fine,” I said. “I understand." The interviewers looked relieved, maybe because I wasn’t making it difficult for them. “I’m very sorry, Miss Carson,” the lead interviewer said again. “You’re a very qualified candidate.” “Yes,” another added quickly. “Under different circumstances, we would have-” “It’s alright,” I cut in gently. There was no point hearing the rest. They weren’t rejecting me, they were simply complying with someone more powerful than their hiring policies. I gathered my folder and stood. They all rose too in polite response. “We do wish you the best in your future applications,” the lead interviewer said. I nodded once. “Thank you