The Brother Swap He Deserved

After a bunch of tests, the doctor actually said my "amnesia" came from a childhood blood clot.I curled my fingers, nails digging into my palm.'Yeah, right.'Milo's eyes lit up. He didn't even try to hide it.So that's it—he wasn't worried at all.The realization hit cold, like I'd dropped straight into ice water.Sean, on the other hand, draped a blanket over me, careful, steady."Wait here. I'll take you home in a minute."I looked at his sharp, sculpted features and nodded blankly.Then I slipped after them.Milo's voice floated up the stairwell, all fake sweet. "Sean, just help me out this once. I finally get to dump Abigail—that clingy headache. Just seeing her face annoys me, and I still have to act like I'm obsessed with her. You have no idea how miserable I've been."Sean's voice was ice-cold. "You're the one engaged to her. If she gets her memory back, it's gonna blow up."A pause. Then Milo again, practically pleading."You know I've liked Dorothy forever. But

Milo was about to speak, but Dorothy slipped out from behind him and hooked her arm through his."Abigail, I heard you lost your memory. I've been so worried. You and Sean are still SO lovey-dovey."Yeah—dripping with sarcasm.My breath hitched when I saw the marks on her neck.When the party finally wrapped, Sean got an urgent call and had to head to the company. He told Milo to take me home.But the second we got in the car, Dorothy grabbed her head."My blood sugar's dropping. Take me to the hospital."I was gonna call a cab and leave, but they dragged me along anyway.The doctor just told Dorothy to go home and rest, but she frowned, all delicate about it."Milo, what if I need a transfusion later? I heard rare blood types are hard to find."The second she said that, Milo grabbed my wrist."You've got the same blood type. Give some so we can store it for her."I just stared at him, stunned, and tried to pull away.He frowned, already annoyed."Ever since you came back

Her lips pressed tight. Suspicion flashed in her eyes—then settled into certainty.Her eyes widened. She covered her mouth. "You never lost your memory. You lied to us. I'm telling Milo—you've been playing us."She turned to leave.I spoke, calm. "Go ahead. Tell him now, and you'll just watch him become my fiancé again."Silence.When I got back to bed, I didn't notice Sean's lashes flicker.***At sunrise the next day, we climbed to the top just as gold light spilled over the horizon.Under the rising sun, Sean pulled out a ring.He dropped to one knee, his profile almost unreal in the glow."I may already be your fiancé, but I still want to do this right. Abigail Ashton, will you marry me?"Under Milo's nearly bloodshot stare—I smiled. "I will."The massive diamond ring slid onto my finger.Milo's voice came out rough. "Abigail, are you crazy? What about me?"I froze.Sean smirked and pulled me into his arms."Watch your mouth. That's your future sister-in-law."Mi

Sean really did know his brother.One talk, and Milo was right back to being lovey-dovey with Dorothy.He even went all out—put on a huge drone show.Over downtown, the lights spelled it out: [Dorothy, I love you.]Dorothy told me all about it on the phone.Sounded like she was waiting for me to crack.I just congratulated her.After she hung up—clearly disappointed—I went back to painting.The roses at Sean's place were in full bloom.I used them as inspiration for next week's exhibition.Maybe I'd been too well taken care of lately.A foreign collector who bought one of my paintings for a high price once said there was love growing in my work.I didn't get what he meant.Not until the exhibition ended—when Sean pressed a key into my hand.An estate.He ruffled my hair. "Abigail, congrats on the show. This is the key to our home. From now on, everything in that house is your call."A beat."Including me."I threw myself into his arms and let him hold me.Ever since

The next evening, Dorothy called me.Her voice was slurred, thick with tears. "Abigail, I'm drunk. Can you come get me?""I'll have the bodyguards pick you up."She broke down. "I know I was wrong. I treated you badly. You were always good to me. I'm going overseas to study piano—I just... I want to apologize in person before I leave."I sighed, got dressed, and headed to the bar.In the private room, Dorothy was slumped on the couch, empty bottles all around her.She lifted her hazy eyes. "Abigail... why did you have to come back? If you hadn't, I'd be the Ashton heiress. I'd be the one engaged to Milo. I wouldn't have to worry about money—or suck up to those gross rich kids."I let out a cold laugh, grabbed a bottle, and poured it over her head."You want to marry rich and live that life, so you bounce between men. Your choice. What does that have to do with me?"She shrieked, wiping liquor from her hair. "You crazy bitch!"Playing both Schneider brothers—feels good, right?