TORN BETWEEN TWO BROTHERS

NADIRA’s POINT OF VIEW 

“I want a divorce.” 

Sage broke those words to me, shattering every piece of my heart. I couldn’t believe it. My biggest fear was happening right in my face, but at the wrong time.

I clutched the pregnancy test I was holding behind my back tightly, my eyelashes batting. “W-Why?”

He tightened his jaw, and I saw a flash of hatred in his dark eyes as they stared at me. He had no remorse in his voice, and blatantly, I heard him utter. “Daphne is back.”

I swallowed. And then my eyes widened in shock. So, that was the reason? Daphne?

“You promised…” my lips quivered, feeling the tears that stung my eyes, “I— I stayed because you promised what you had with her was over.”

I watched him scoff. And then he turned sharply to me with twisted lips. “Well, I was wrong.”

My face fell, and my shoulders slumped. “After everything?” I shrieked, unable to stop the tears that were already flowing down my cheeks. “I gave up everything for you, Sage! I—‘’

“—Enough of your nonsense, Nadira!” He thundered, interrupting me with a sharp tone. I staggered backwards in disbelief, feeling my knees go numb.

My anniversary morning couldn’t have been any worse.

He walked closer to me, his footsteps heavy and calculated. His eyes narrowed at me, and then his right hand went straight to my neck, holding it firmly.

“Not another word,” his usual coldness was back, and it lingered in the air as well as his fingers on my neck, “You’re going to sign the divorce papers peacefully and leave.”

I cried. This was the height of all betrayal. How could my husband divorce me out of the blue just because of an ex-lover that suddenly returned?

“Sage…”

“Three months,” he cut through my whisper, slowly retreating, “You have three months until we go our separate ways.”

That was it. Three months. I had three months until my marriage was finally dissolved.

I didn’t find the need to tell him about the pregnancy. He didn’t deserve to know. I was going to raise my baby… alone.

Daphne frequented the house, her slender figure always hovering around me. I tried my best to ignore them, and did my best to stay out of their way. But they always made sure they rubbed their betrayal in my face.

One sunny afternoon, I sat by the pool. Sage was in the house with Daphne, as usual. And I’d been sent out to keep out of their way and privacy.

I noticed the gates of our house, the one I’d built with Sage for the past five years. They were opened, and a sleek Mercedes drove in, grabbing my attention.

It was unfamiliar. And I was so sure I’d never seen it before. But, what did I know? I could be wrong.

I leaned forward in my chair, the gentle wind giving a rhythm to my wavy hair. The car drove straight to the parking lot, parking right next to Sage’s car.

My eyes didn’t move, not even for a second. I was curious to know who had driven in. Knowing how Sage could be, I could get in trouble if just anyone walked into the house.

My curiosity was fed when I saw the figure step out of the driver's seat. Broad shoulders, and an athletic build that accentuated his height. I could recall that face anywhere…

Asher…

I sunk my teeth into my lower lip as he closed his car door, his sunglasses adding  a type of ‘cool’ to his aura. I blinked my eyes repeatedly, making sure I wasn’t seeing or imagining things. 

Asher? Back in LA? Why?

He walked slowly and confidently, both hands firmly placed in his trousers pockets. I felt the flush that ran through my cheeks, and I tried to shove the unsettling feeling away.

He was my enemy. 

Not a harmful kind of enemy, but… An unrequited crush kind of enemy.

He never noticed me. Never even looked twice in my direction. And it got worse when I got married to his younger brother.

“Nadira?”

His voice had grown deeper, I observed. And even thicker than I’d remembered. I couldn’t believe he actually called my name. He always referred to me as…

“Nae,” he snapped his fingers in my face, making me realize how close he’d actually gotten. I forced myself back to reality, feeling my throat already going dry.

I watched him take off his sunglasses, revealing the set of green eyes I’d fallen for years ago. Those alluring, seductive eyes…

“Asher…”

He arched his brows, his eyes giving me a narrowed gaze as he stared at me in my dreamy state. “Are you okay?”

I swallowed hard. Was I really okay? No. I was losing my mind. First it was Sage. And now… him.

I forced a smile through my pursed lips, and then got up on my feet to welcome him properly.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I shrugged my shoulders, giving him my usual toothy smile, “I’m just surprised to see you… that’s all.”

He creased his forehead, and I saw his eyes twitch for a moment. His scent filled my nostrils and the air immediately I inhaled. It was a mixture of sandalwood, cedar and amber.

“Hmm.”

I was burning with shyness. And wasn’t surprised that the feelings hadn’t changed for the past five years. It felt the same— cranky, shy and knots twisting in my stomach.

“Is Sage in?” He turned his gaze away from me, searching through the environment and each corner with his eyes.

I fumbled with my fingers.

I didn’t know how to answer that question. If I said “yes” and he walked in, he was going to see Daphne. And that could bring a whole new issue which I wasn’t ready for. Something we’d tried to bury all these years.

“Actually—‘’

“—Who are you talking to, Nadira?” I heard Sage’s voice break in, cutting me short from whatever I was trying to say.

My heart pounded in my chest. I felt I knew what was going to happen. Drama. Sage and Asher were two rivals. And they had a scuffle that hadn’t been resolved.

I parted my lips, trying to respond, but found no words. Asher stole a glance at me, and I knew he’d observed my jerky movements.

Sage’s figure showed up, with Daphne by his side, of course. I watched the countenance on his face. And the way his eyes immediately darkened the moment he laid eyes on his older brother.

“What are you doing here?”

Sage’s voice was laced with contempt, and his eyes blazed with venom. I took a few steps backward, trying not to get caught up in the unfolding drama.

Asher said nothing. But I saw his gaze firmly rested on Daphne, sharp, shocked yet fierce. Her hands held onto Sage tightly, and her lips started quivering. 

“Daphne?” 

The shock in his tone was evident. And I knew why. I knew what was happening. And why it was happening.

The four of us stood there, our gazes shifting across each other. I needed no soothsayer to tell what was happening.

We were back to where we left things five years ago…