CHAPTER 4: Nasty Brother-in-law

Spencer stood and gave her a devilish smile.

“Sinned.”Monica blinked, lips slightly parted. She looked stunned. This guy was certainly a maniac.

“What the hell is your problem, Spencer McKenzie?”

Her breath caught in her throat. His gaze—locked on hers—wasn’t bluffing. It was sharp, intense… and teasing like he had all the time in the world.

“Spencer, you need to leave. Now.” Her voice cracked, tight with panic.

He tilted his head, eyes glinting like a wolf playing with his food.

“Are you disgusted that we spent the night together, Monica?” he drawled.

The way his lips parted. That maddening smirk. Images of his bare chest in her head didn’t help either. Her eyes shut, and a shaky breath managed to leave her lips.

He looked like sin—carefree and reckless. So unlike Liam, who was always controlled, proper, cold.

“What the hell, Spencer!” she snapped, her voice rising. “I was drunk. I barely remember anything. So, no—we didn’t spend the night together!”

He chuckled darkly. “Maybe you need a reminder.”

“Stop it, Spencer.”

He moved a step closer, and she backed up instinctively.

“Or do you just hate how much I turn you on?” he said smoothly.

“Turn me on?” she scoffed, crossing her arms. “In your dreams, Spencer.”

He smirked, voice dropping lower. “You really wouldn’t want to know my dreams. Maybe we’ve already fucked a couple of times in there.”

Her eyes widened.

He took another step toward her, closing the space.

She stepped back again, heart pounding.

“We could test it if I actually turn you on,” he murmured. “Find out if I’m lying or not.”

Her back hit the wall, and she shivered as his eyes moved over her face. The closeness felt suffocating.

“Move away,” she groaned, flustered by how near he was.

“Or what?” he whispered, his voice low as he leaned in even closer.

He was too close. Her eyes couldn’t help but wander to his face—his jaw sharp, his nose perfect, and those lips that looked so curved and rosy like he touched a red paint.

Spencer smirked. “Take a picture, Monica. It’ll last longer.”

“Shit,” she hissed, pulling her eyes away. She was losing it—why was she even looking at him like this?

He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear.

“I don’t mind if I turn you on,” he whispered.

Her body jolted as his tongue lightly grazed her ear. Angry, she shoved him back.

“Fuck you, Spencer.”

His grin only grew.

“We almost did that last night. Shame you can’t remember. You were... quite the tigress,” he teased, winking at her.

She swung her hand at him, but he caught her wrist and pulled her against his chest.

“Spencer…”

He looked at her with a dark smile. “Do you know what you do to me when you say my name like that?”

She froze. How could he be so sure of himself? She heard footsteps from the kitchen, the maid nearby, maybe even Liam still at home—it was too much.

“Stop it,” she said, voice shaking. “You’re just messing with me.”

She felt overwhelmed. Why did he look at her like that? Like she was an item to him.

“You need to leave,” she said again, this time more firmly and pushed him away causing him to chuckle.

Liam was coming down the stairs when he saw the two of them staring at each other.

“What’s going on here?” he asked.

Monica jumped back. Spencer just smiled. Liam’s eyes moved to her face… then froze on the hickeys on her neck.

“You ungrateful bitch,” he shouted. “You left just to sleep around?”

Monica slapped him. Hard.

“Don’t talk to me like that, Liam,” she said. “I don’t sleep around. But you? You cheated on me first.”

Liam turned to Spencer, angry.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Monica’s stomach turned. This was bad. Liam had cheated, and now she had stayed at his brother’s place. Even if it was revenge, it felt wrong.

“Just got back to the country,” Spencer said.

“So?” Liam snapped.

“I want my mom’s property,” Spencer replied.

Liam scoffed. Monica didn’t wait. She walked up the stairs fast.

“We’re not done talking, Monica!” Liam yelled after her.

Monica reached the bedroom, still shaking. This had always been their room—hers and Liam’s. Just two nights ago, they made love here. It had been her first time.

Her heart stopped.

Brie was in her bed. Wearing her nightgown. Sleeping like she owned the place.

“What the hell!” Monica shouted, rushing in and pulling the covers off.

Brie slowly opened her eyes and sat up, brushing her hair back.

“Sister, you’re back,” she said sweetly.

Monica’s voice trembled.

“You’re in my bed. Wearing my nightgown. What’s wrong with you?”

Brie smiled and stretched.

“Well, you were gone. The bed was cold… and your nightgown is so soft. I didn’t think you’d mind.”

Monica’s hands balled into fists.

“You thought I wouldn’t mind you stealing my husband and my life?”

Brie let out a soft laugh.

“Life? Monica, your husband can’t even stand you. This room already feels like mine—just like your husband.”

Monica stared at her, shocked.

“You little—

“You’ve always been dramatic. Always so perfect. The one who figured her life out so easily. But guess what?” Brie’s eyes narrowed, her voice full of spite.

“No one wants a Barbie doll. Maybe Liam just needed a real woman. Someone who knows how to keep him interested.”

Monica slapped her hard.

Brie gasped, holding her cheek as she stumbled back. Then, all of a sudden, her hands flew to her stomach.

“Ahh! My baby!” she cried out. “Sister, please—don’t hurt my baby. I know I’ve hurt you, but leave the baby out of it!”

Monica froze. Her heart pounded.

“What? I didn’t even touch your stomach—”

Brie dropped to her knees, tears filling her eyes.

“You’re hurting me… it hurts… so much…”

Monica stared, stunned. She’s faking it. She had to be.

But before she could say a word, loud footsteps rushed up the stairs.

“What’s going on?” Liam shouted, storming into the room. His eyes landed on Brie.

Brie looked up at him with trembling lips, still holding her stomach.

“She hit me,” she said softly. “She slapped my belly.”

Monica’s mouth dropped open. That’s a lie.

“You’re lying,” she whispered.

Liam turned to her, angry.

“Why would you hit her? Are you trying to kill her?”

Something inside Monica broke.

“Liam, she’s lying—”

Brie cried louder and crawled behind Liam.

“Don’t let her hurt me again!” she sobbed, curling into herself.

Monica stood frozen as Brie whimpered dramatically on the floor, hands wrapped around her belly.

“Sister, I didn’t mean to upset you… I swear I can just leave if you hate me that much…”

Monica stood still, staring. Not confused. Just done.

She had already seen them together. Already felt the pain. Already cried.

She told herself maybe it was a mistake. Maybe she dreamed it. Maybe Brie didn’t mean it. Maybe Liam was drunk.

But now?

Now Brie was in her nightgown, in her bed. Liam was standing there like she didn’t exist. He even pushed her. The bastard even allowed his mistress into their matrimonial room.

And he didn’t care.

Brie wasn’t sorry. Liam wasn’t either.

They had picked each other. And didn't care about her.

Monica’s heart didn’t break this time. It went cold.

Brie looked up from the floor, fake tears in her eyes.

“I upset her… and then she slapped me,” she said softly.

Liam stood in front of Brie and pushed Monica hard. She hit the floor.

“You pushed me,” she whispered as she looked up at him.

She got up slowly, eyes on him.

Then she walked over to her suitcase and started packing. Her hands shook.

“Where are you going?” Liam asked with a frown, an arm around Brie.

She didn’t look at him.

“I want a divorce, Liam.”

Liam didn’t answer right away. His eyes were stuck on her neck.

“Where did you get those hickeys?” he asked.

Monica froze for a second, then zipped her bag halfway and turned. Her face was calm.

“Why?” she asked. “Are you jealous?”

Liam’s jaw tightened. “Answer me.”

She took one step closer.

“It’s funny. I used to dress up for you. You never noticed.”She laughed, "I dared to think something was wrong with me, but you were getting it somewhere else."

She moved past him, slowly.

“But now you see a few marks, and you care?”

He turned to her, angry.

She looked him in the eye.

“I guess someone finally touched me the right way.”

He stepped forward. “Monica, don't push it…”

She leaned in just a little.

“You really want to know who it was?”

He didn’t speak. Just stared.

She said it clearly.

“Your brother, Liam. Spencer.”