His Stepbrother

Chapter 9_ His step brother 

 Every day, Landon regretted his decision. He regretted being used by his father for his own selfish gains. If everything had not been based on an arranged marriage, he would never have married Gianna, a woman whom he felt absolutely nothing for. 

 He had thought that perhaps, with time, he would grow to love her, but that had never happened. Her character was simply unbearable. It irritated him to no end and made him regret his choice even more. 

 But could he really be to blame? He had been just a twenty three years old young man when he had been forced to make such life altering decisions. 

 If he had been older and wiser then, he would not have allowed his family to influence him into making such a terrible mistake by marrying Gianna. 

 Even after twelve years, he still did not truly know the kind of person Gianna was. 

 ******

 Landon studied her movements carefully and could see how terrified she was. Her entire body trembled tremendously. 

  He could tell it was a reaction of guilt. 

 “Why do you look so shocked, as if you've seen a ghost?” he questioned, his tone filled with curiosity. 

 “Tell me the truth, you did not lie about her, did you?” Waves of disappointment coursed through him as a pensive thought struck his mind 

 he had never thought about this before, how could he have trusted this woman? These bloody,sinking liars standing in front of him. 

 He bit his lips angrily and took a slow, deep breath. A lump forming in his throat. He did not even want to hear any explanation from her right now. The truth was right in front of him and he was going to look for Avery. 

 And once everything she had told him turned out to be a lie, he would divorce her immediately and cut ties with her. 

 “It is not what you think. I can explain!!” she pleaded , her breath heavy as she tried to compose herself, but Landon stormed out angrily. It was too late. 

 ******

 “Any news?” A deep, commanding voice resonated through the doorway, reaching into the office before the person even entered. 

 Smith Robert,the man being addressed, quickly stood up from his chair, his expression breaking into a wide smile _ one that signified good news .

 “Yes! there it is!!” he exclaimed happily, twirling around like a delighted child who had received his favourite toy. 

 “Please, tell me you have finally come up with the perfect plans to destroy Landon after so Many failed attempts ,” Hayley, his woman said, her tone filled with suspicion as she leaned against the wall, her high heels crossed together. 

 Smith walked over to her, lifted her up, and twirled her around like a baby, then kissed her cheeks before settling her down. 

 “ Just spill it out already,” she demanded, impatiently. She could not wait to know what had him grinning like this. 

 “Trust me, I want it to be a surprise, so I am not going to tell you anything until the right time” Hayley's expression quickly turned blank. He did not trust her, and she could see it. 

 Feeling disappointed, she turned to walk away without another word, but Smith went after her. He knew she would be angry but he just had to do this. 

 “I am sorry, but I do not want you spilling this to Gianna. You two are too close as friends,” 

 Smith rasped, but his words only fueled her anger further as she continued walking away 

 ***

 Robert Smith and Landon were brothers. But only step brother actually. Robert, their father, had brought Phoebe, Smith's mother, to Live with them when he discovered she was pregnant. 

 Landon's mother had no choice but to accept her presence, but eventually, she passed away when Landon was just twelve years old. Leaving him in the care of his stepmother, Phoebe. He had grown up to be an intelligent man under the watchful eyes of his father. 

 Landon knew he would lose everything to his step brother, Smith, if he did not follow his father's plan_ agreeing to an arranged marriage with the billionaire daughter, Gianna..

 Smith, on the other hand, had married Hayley his high school sweetheart. Fortunately, she came from a wealthy family, so his parents had fully supported their relationship. they had been blessed with a son and this made Smith believe he could stand a chance against his deceitful brother.

 Recently, Smith had overheard Gianna speaking to a man during his last visit to their home. Now, everything was starting to make sense to him. adding up. 

 He had always wanted to find a way to take everything from Landon and bring him down but until today, he had never found the perfect opportunity. 

 The conversation he had overheard had been shocking. From what he had gathered, their only child, Luke, was not actually Landon's. 

 So today, he was going to pay Landon a visit and perhaps, find a way to take Luke and his own son out together. 

 ******

 Fortunately, it was Sunday and Smith was lucky to find them at home. Gianna was in the living room, making business calls, when he walked in and sat on a sofa with his son, Liam, by his side. 

 “Good morning aunt,” the five years old boy greeted with a smiling face, pulling Gianna's attention, she quickly ended her call and turned towards them. 

 “Good morning ,darling!” She responded back with a smile which died away the moment she faced smith. Her smile vanished. “Good morning, smith. What brings you here today?” she questioned with a disdainful look. 

 It was no secret she hated him. Of course he was her husband's brother and also her friend's husband, which was the only reason she remained civil with him, but deep down, she despised him so much that she can't be in the same room with him. 

 “Where is my brother?” Smith asked as he stood up and made his way towards the hallway.

 “Why are you going that way?” Gianna questioned. 

 “Of course, I am going to meet my brother. He is around, is he nott??" Smith replied before proceeding to the Landon room and banging on the door. He wanted to see his brother one more time before exposing his secret to the world. 

 “ When will you leave me alone?” Landon's irritated voice echoed from inside, he assumed it was Gianna, as he had already warned her to give him space ever since that incident happened. 

 Smith smirked, bursting into laughter, he knew he was about to provoke Landon beyond reason, this time, he kicked the door hard with his left foot, forcing Landon to stop what he was doing and walk towards the door. 

 “I will fucking kill you, Gianna!” Landon bellowed, a raw anger coursing through him as he flung the door open, only to meet with a smith smug face. 

 Landon's expression darkened even further. He did not bother exchanging pleasantries, instead , he simply shook his head in disappointment. Grabbed the door, and attempted to shut it, but Smith stopped him. 

 “Seems like you are running away from me.” Smith said, laughing hysterically, like someone who had been possessed. 

 Landon let out a deep sigh and released the door, staring at him with barely concealed irritation. 

 “Go on, I am listening. What do you want?” Landon knew the kind of person Smith was. He knew Smith was up to something and he would definitely figure it out. 

 “ Stop that act brother, we are not fighting!!” Smith bellowed at him with seriousness. He hates how he always takes everything so seriously. 

 “I heard what happened to you and I'm just here to confront you,” his voice was a little low as he let out those words with a fake sympathy voice. 

 Landon didn't say a word although he was curious to know what he was talking about. He could only raise his brow at him, giving him a questionable gaze. 

 “I heard some hackers hacked into your account and made away with some money. Have you been able to catch them?” Landon memories quickly flashed to that event and that was when he remembered the triplets. He hasn't been able to approach them because he has been too busy. 

 Landon gave him a dangerous gaze then retreated his steps a little and slammed the door against him, which almost hit his leg. 

 Angers surge through Smith's veins as he stares at the door, his eyes flaring with anger on how his brother could be so ruthless. Assuming the door hit his leg, it would have been damaged. 

 Well, he should get started on why he was here. Luckily, he was able to take a strand of his hair when they were talking. Now he just needs to find Luke and take his hair as well. 

 Change of plan, he wouldn't be taking them shopping anymore. 

 When he got to the living room, Luke was already there, playing with his son. 

 Gianna observed his countenance for a while and could see he was provoked. Just like she had predicted. 

 “I guess it didn't end well!!” she snapped at him, laughing. 

 “Do you guys always quarrel with each other?” Smith asks as he hugs Luke who ran to him and in the process, he takes a strand of his hair. 

 So easy. 

 With a deep breath, Gianna nodded her head. 

 “I should get going!!” 

 He carried his son in his arms and walked away, disappointedly because his ego had been brought down and he just can't wait to make him regret it. Just a few hours from now, he would lose everything he had worked so hard for. He just can't wait to see the expression on his face when that finally happens. 

 **********