All Chapters of Meet My Overprotective Brothers : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

The kiss seemed to go on forever. Neither of them wanted to stop. Neither of them wanted to face the reality of what they were doing and what it meant.But eventually, slowly, Ryan began to pull away.Not all at once. Not with the sudden panic of before. But gradually, like it was physically painful to break the connection between them.When their lips finally separated, they were both breathing hard. Ryan rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closed, his hands still tangled in her hair."We have to stop," he whispered. "We have to stop doing this.""I know," Cora whispered back. But she did not move away from him."I am serious, Cora," Ryan said. His voice was strained. "We cannot keep kissing. We cannot keep crossing this line.""I know," Cora said again."Then why are you still standing so close to me?" Ryan asked."Because you are still holding me," Cora pointed out.Ryan seemed to realize his hands were still in her hair, his arms still around her. He pulled away completely,

Ethan stood at Ryan's door, his expression still skeptical. The silence was thick with suspicion."Look," Ryan said, breaking the tension. "I know this looks strange. But there is a perfectly reasonable explanation.""I am listening," Ethan replied, crossing his arms."Cora and I have been doing tutoring sessions," Ryan explained. "Teaching her programming and tech fundamentals. We had been meeting every day at the mansion before I moved out.""I know about the tutoring," Ethan said. "That does not explain why she is here at your house at night.""Because we missed several days of sessions," Ryan continued. "When I moved out, we did not have any lessons. Cora was concerned that her training was falling behind. So she came here to ask if we could resume.""And that required an in-person visit?" Ethan asked."She wanted to see my workspace," Ryan said, gesturing back into the house. "I have a full tech setup here. Equipment. Software. Things that would be useful for her to see as she le

Cora tried to compose herself. Tried to find a way to deny what Ethan was asking without making it obvious she was lying."Ethan, I think you are reading too much into—" she started."Do not," Ethan interrupted. "Do not try to deflect or minimize or pretend I am imagining things. I know what I saw tonight. I know what your silence just told me. So please, just answer the question honestly."Cora felt trapped. Caught between the truth and the lie. Between protecting Ryan and being honest with Ethan."It is complicated," she said finally.Ethan closed his eyes briefly. "That is not a denial.""No," Cora admitted quietly. "It is not.""God," Ethan muttered. He ran a hand through his hair, looking stressed. "How far has this gone? What exactly has happened between you two?""I do not think I should—""Cora, I need to know," Ethan said urgently. "I need to know how bad this is. How much damage control we need to do. How close you are to destroying Ryan's entire life.""We have not destroye

Ethan watched his father's face carefully as he made his suggestion about publishing. He was hoping Alexander would jump on the idea. Would see it as a perfect opportunity to redirect Cora's attention away from Ryan.But Alexander just smiled and shook his head."That is a thoughtful idea, Ethan," Alexander said. "And I appreciate you thinking about Cora's options. But I am not going to push her toward anything she has not expressed interest in herself.""I am not suggesting we push her," Ethan said quickly. "Just that we present it as an option. Let her know that publishing exists as a possibility.""And if she is interested, we can certainly discuss it," Alexander replied. "But Cora has already told us what she wants to do. She wants to learn technology. She wants to work with Ryan. And I am going to support that choice.""But what if she changes her mind?" Ethan pressed. "What if after a few weeks of tech training, she realizes it is not for her?""Then we will explore other option

Ryan had not slept well. He kept replaying the events of the previous night over and over in his mind. The kisses. Ethan showing up. The realization of how close he had come to destroying everything.He knew now, without question, that he had a weakness when it came to Cora.A weakness he could not afford to indulge.So when morning came and he prepared to go to the mansion for their first tutoring session in the library, Ryan made himself a promise. He would be professional. Distant. Careful.He would not let himself get too close to her. Would not let his guard down. Would not allow himself to be alone with her in any situation where control might slip.He arrived at the mansion at exactly ten o'clock. Cora was already in the library, setting up her laptop and notebooks on one of the large tables.She looked up when he entered. Their eyes met. And Ryan felt that pull. That immediate attraction that made everything complicated.But he pushed it down. Locked it away."Good morning," h