All Chapters of After Divorce, I Married His Half-Brother: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

"We... we can't find your sister." My stepmother choked out, her voice trembling. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Today's her wedding to Derek Holland and she ran off with that rich Italian man!" My father stood near the window, pale and stunned like someone had punched the air out of him. He didn't speak right away. Just ran a hand down his face, then he looked at me, really looked at me for the first time in a long time. I was standing by the doorway in my lilac bridesmaid dress, frozen. His voice was low, almost like a whisper. "We can't afford to lose the Hollands." His gaze sharpened on me. "Vanessa... you'll have to step in and be the bride. Save us from this shame." I felt my chest twist at that moment. Not with fear or confusion, but with a dangerous hope. I knew Annie had been two-timing Derek Holland with some ridiculously wealthy Italian businessman. She always chased the thicker wallet. I knew she planned to vanish and leave everyone hanging,

> — — The door slammed shut behind me, and the noise from the bar faded as I stepped out of the bar and into the night. I didn't get to enjoy the soothing breeze before my phone started to buzz inside my pants pocket. My shoulders slumped slightly as I fished out the phone while walking towards the garage. I didn't need to look to know who was calling.. > I swiped the answer button and placed the phone close to my ear, my brows knitting instinctively. "Yeah?" My father's voice came in cold. "Ryker, do you still remember what's at stake?" He went straight to the point. "Nice to hear from you too." I spat out. "Where are you??" "Out." I squeezed out while staring at the sidewalk. "Ryker. I shouldn't have to remind you but two weeks is what's left. The deadline is approaching and you're yet to present a woman to the board." Here we go again—the deadline. I massaged my forehead to reduce the tension from folding there. "You're not remind

Getting told I had cancer, replaced by my sister, and divorced all in the same day wasn't enough? Now I was standing here, clutching a photo that made my stomach twist, wondering who the actual hell Ryker was. "What are you doing there?" Ryker's voice rang out from behind, and I flinched. My heart slammed against my ribs as I spun, breath catching in my throat. He stood at the top of the stairs, a puzzled expression on his face, holding a brown file—probably the contract. He raised an eyebrow, clearly waiting for an explanation. "This..." I held up the photo. "Who are these people to you, Ryker?" I kept my eyes on his face, watching his every expression. My breathing slowed, waiting for an answer. If he really was Derek's brother... Hell, I'm out. "Oh. That." He started down the stairs in the most casual manner ever, closing the distance between us. My fingers tightened around the photo. "Yeah, 'that' ." "Quick question; were you snooping around?” "No. I sa

> — — Heaven knew how unsettled I was after she left. If it was any other woman, I wouldn’t bother chasing after her. But this wasn’t just any woman. This was Vanessa Thomas— someone who had been the center of my focus for a while. Maybe not for a while—maybe for years. One moment she was hellbent on leaving. But in the next moment, she changed her mind after checking her phone. Blessed whatever it was that changed her mind. "I want to see the contract." Now, that's a good girl. I followed behind her, controlling the triumph inside me. We arrived back at the house and Vanessa dropped onto the living room couch, letting out a deep breath. Her posture screamed exhaustion, and the bruises on her neck caught my eyes—had to be Derek's handiwork. "You sure know how to make things difficult, Little Lamb." I said, quietly. "Stop that." She pulled her arms around her chest. "My name is Vanessa." I settled on the chair across from her and reached for the cont

I woke up feeling weird. My arm felt occupied, it was somewhat heavy and warm. Definitely not like my regular arm. I cracked one eye open, and there it was. A white furred animal, sitting close to my face, staring right back at me. No, it wasn't staring... it was glaring at me, judging me. I froze instantly. Seeing I was awake, it moved back, flicking its tail and twitching its paws against the grey bedsheets beneath me. I loved animals, I really do. But this cat? It was frowning, probably cussing me inwardly too. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me, Ryker." I muttered. The cat tilted its head, looking unimpressed. I pushed myself up slowly. "What are you—where did you come from? Did you break in?" Just then, the door burst open. To my shock and relief, Ryker walked in. He didn't even look at me before scooping the cat up into his arms. "There you are, Missy." Missy? That cat—that glaring, passive-aggressive goblin was called Missy? The cat curled up in his arm, suddenl