The Secret Between Brothers

I thought signing Adrian Blackwell's contract would solve at least one of my problems.

I was wrong.

Luca's surgery was finally moving forward, and I had money in my account. For the first time in weeks, I could breathe without worrying about how I'd pay the hospital.

But Nicolas was back in my life, and I had no idea how to deal with that.

The worst part? I'd be seeing him almost every time I saw Adrian.

A week after the family gathering, I stood outside the Blackwell mansion, telling myself dinner was just dinner.

I was there because Adrian had invited me. I was his companion, and this was part of our deal.

Nothing more.

I rang the bell, and a staff member opened the door.

“Good evening, Miss Rossi. Mr. Blackwell is expecting you.”

“Thank you.”

I followed her inside, pulling down my dress. I'd spent too much time choosing what to wear, trying to look good without looking like I'd tried too hard.

It was silly, really. I was here to do a job, not enter a fashion show.

Still, I wanted to make a good impression. Adrian was paying me well, and I couldn't afford to mess this up.

“She’s here,” the staff member said as we walked into the sitting room.

Adrian stood near the fireplace, looking at his phone.

He looked up. “You're on time.”

“I'm glad I could meet your very high standards.”

He put his phone away. “You'll get used to them.”

“That's what I'm afraid of.”

A small smile crossed his face.

I found myself smiling too. Talking to him was easier when he wasn't giving orders or looking at me like he expected me to make a mistake.

“Dinner will be ready soon,” he said. “Come on. I'll show you where we're eating.”

I followed him toward the dining room, then stopped when I saw the man standing beside the table.

Nicolas.

Of course.

He turned when he heard us. His eyes met mine, and the small smile on his face disappeared.

I looked away first.

I wasn't going to let him see how much his being there still affected me.

“Welcome to the family circus,” Adrian said, not seeming to notice anything. “Nicolas moved in this morning.”

“I can see that.”

Nicolas looked at me. “Hello, Elena.”

“Hi.”

That was all I had to say.

What did he expect? Welcome home? It's nice to see you again?

Please.

Adrian looked between us. “You're both acting like you're at a funeral.”

“Maybe we're tired,” I said.

“Then dinner should be fun.”

He pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down. Nicolas took the seat across from me, so I'd have to look at him every time I lifted my head.

Great.

Dinner started well enough. Adrian asked about my week, and I told him I'd spent most of it dealing with hospital papers and making sure Luca's surgery payment had gone through.

“Everything sorted?” he asked.

“Almost. The hospital confirmed the payment, and they're working on the next steps.”

“Good.”

He didn't ask me to explain everything, and I was glad. I didn't want to talk about Luca's health in front of everyone, especially with Nicolas sitting across from me.

“Your brother's doing better?” Adrian asked.

“Stable. They're watching him closely.”

“If you need time to visit him, tell my assistant. We can work around your schedule.”

I looked at Adrian, surprised.

“Thank you. I will.”

It was a simple offer, but it made me feel a little better. I'd been so busy worrying about Luca and this deal that I'd forgotten I could ask for help.

Then Nicolas spoke.

“That's nice of you, Adrian.”

Adrian looked at him. “It's practical. I need Elena to come to our events, but I'm not going to act like she has no life outside them.”

“Since when did you become so understanding?”

“Since I learned that not everyone likes being managed like one of your business deals.”

Nicolas laughed. “You say that like you don't manage everyone around you.”

“Someone has to keep things running.”

“And there it is.”

I almost smiled. They knew exactly how to annoy each other. They sounded like brothers who'd spent years getting on each other's nerves.

For a moment, I wondered what my life would look like if Nicolas and I had stayed together.

Would I have known Adrian? Would I have ever entered this house as anything other than a hired companion?

I pushed the thought away.

There was no point thinking about a life that never happened.

Halfway through dinner, Adrian's phone rang. He checked the screen and let out a breath.

“Excuse me. I need to take this.”

He left the room, and Nicolas turned to me as soon as he was gone.

“Can we talk?”

I put down my fork.

“About what?”

“Please, Elena.”

I looked toward the door. Adrian wasn't coming back yet, and I didn't want to have this talk in front of the staff.

“Fine. But make it quick.”

Nicolas led me into the sitting room. He stopped near the window, leaving enough space between us.

“I know you don't want to talk to me,” he said.

“Then why do you keep asking?”

“Because I don't want us to keep acting like strangers.”

I let out a short breath. “We aren't strangers, Nicolas. That's the problem.”

He looked down.

“I know I've hurt you.”

“You left when I needed you most.”

“I know.”

“Stop saying that.” My voice came out louder than I wanted. “You keep saying you know, but you weren't there. You have no idea what those months were like for me.”

He looked at me, his face tight.

“I can't change what happened.”

“No, you can't. But you could've told me why you left.”

His jaw tightened. For a moment, I thought he might finally tell me what I'd spent five years trying to understand.

Instead, he said, “There's more to it than you know.”

I stared at him.

“Then tell me.”

“I can't. Not yet.”

I shook my head. “You don't get to decide when I'm ready to hear the truth. You lost that right when you walked away.”

He said nothing.

Somehow, that made me even angrier.

I wanted him to fight for his chance to explain. I wanted him to give me something, even if the truth hurt.

But he just stood there, looking at me with the same troubled face he'd had at the family gathering.

“I never stopped caring about you,” he said.

I looked away. “That's not enough.”

“I know.”

I closed my eyes for a moment. “Nicolas, please. I can't keep doing this.”

He took a step toward me, then stopped when I looked at him.

“I'm not asking you to forgive me tonight,” he said. “I just need you to know that I didn't expect to see you again, but I'm not going to pretend you mean nothing to me.”

My throat tightened.

The worst part was that I believed him.

I believed he still cared. I believed our past still meant something to him.

But feelings weren't enough. Not after everything that had happened.

“You need to give me space,” I said.

He slowly nodded. “All right.”

For once, he didn't try to change my mind.

We returned to the dining room separately. I was glad for those few seconds alone, but Adrian was already standing near the table.

He looked from Nicolas to me.

“Everything okay?”

“Fine,” I said.

Nicolas pulled out his chair and sat down without a word.

Adrian stayed w

here he was, looking at his brother before turning back to me.

“Can I ask you something, Elena?”

My stomach tightened.

“Of course.”

He pulled out his chair, but didn't sit down.

“How long have you and Nicolas known each other?”