Semua Bab The Brother's Temptations: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Jescyka’s POVI didn’t go looking for the truth that Friday night. Honestly, I just wanted to see Marvy smile. One real smile, not the polite, half-hearted ones he’d been throwing at me lately.On the way, I stopped at his favorite shop and picked up a bottle of “Château Margaux”, the one he swore made every bad day better..It felt kind of stupid, showing up unannounced with wine like I was trying to bribe the relationship back to the way it was. But I told myself it was the right thing to do because I loved Marvy. Or maybe it was a reminder…hey, we used to be happy once.Marvy had been distant for weeks. Too many late nights, too many “work emergencies,” and way too many moments where his eyes were on me, but his mind was somewhere else entirely. I kept trying to make excuses for him…stress, deadlines, burnout…anything but what I already knew deep down.I thought maybe a small gesture would fix it. Maybe I could pull us back before we slipped completely out of reach.But when I pushe

Jescyka’s POVDarren’s hand was locked around the wheel, his veins taut, jaw set so tight I thought his teeth might crack. The city lights kept flashing across his face—amber eyes catching them, turning gold for a second, then dark again.Every time he glanced at me, I felt it. Like heat radiating all over my body.The car was too quiet, but not in a peaceful way, the silence was suffocating. The kind of quite that fills your lungs until you forget how to breathe.I crossed my arms, pretending I wasn’t shaking. “So what is this, huh?” My voice came out croaky, still edged with tequila. “You come to play hero now? Or are you just finishing what your brother started?”He didn’t answer right away. His jaw flexed once, then again. When he finally spoke, his voice was low but stern, but dangerous in the way still water hides a current.“I don’t want his scraps.” He shot me a look, and something in my chest stuttered. “I want what’s mine.”I let out a dry laugh, the kind that hurts your thr

Jescyka’s POVThe whole day went by in a blur. I couldn’t stop replaying what happened with Darren—how wrong it was, yet how right it had felt in the moment. Maybe it was just the tequila. Maybe it was loneliness. Either way, I told myself not to dwell on it.Marvy spent the day trying too hard—cracking bad jokes, telling stories I already knew were lies. I smiled when I had to, but mostly, I kept my eyes on my phone, pretending to be busy.Later, I went upstairs, stripped down, and stepped into the shower. The hot water hit my skin, and I wished it could wash everything off—the anger, the guilt, and that stupid ache I still couldn’t name.When I finally came out, hair dripping, half-dressed, I found myself staring at the woman in the mirror. How did my life go from bad to worse? But regret was luxury for me as Marvy pushed the door and stalked inside like he owned every part of me.He looked wrecked: Taking a closer look at his face, I saw dark circles, wrinkled shirts, a bit of stub

Jescyka’s POVI had come here with a plan: humiliate Marvy so thoroughly he’d finally understand what it felt like to be on the other end of someone’s mercy.But somehow, the word had flipped the whole point on me. Instead of him drowning in shame, perhaps after I have exposed his carelessness and irresponsibility as a son of the coldridge. I was the one standing here feeling my lungs tighten and my eyes sting. Tears pooled at the brim, ready to spill over, but I blinked hard, forcing them back.No. I wasn’t going to cry. Not here. Not in front of everyone here.“Are you okay?” Mrs. Coldridge — Darren’s mom — jerked me straight out of my wandering thoughts.Her tone didn’t sound concerned at all. More like… a reminder. Like she was just pointing out that I was still there, and awkwardly standing in their midst. And I remembered still existing in that space that suddenly felt too loud and too bright.“I’m fine. I’d like to be excused,” I said, forcing my voice not to break.“Of course,”

Jescyka’s POV“Jescyka.” A voice called from outside the door, low, but somehow not as terrifying as it should have been. It was familiar. My heart stuttered.I moved right towards the door, whispering, “Ethan?” No answer. Of course, it couldn't be him, it didn't sound like him. I perceived a smell, faint but was there, I've definitely smelt that before.I don’t know what carelessness—or foolish curiosity—pushed me, but I pushed the door open. My breath hitched immediately.“Jesus!” I gasped.It was Darren. He starggered slightly, barely holding himself upright. Panic shot through me.“Darren, what happened to you?” I asked, my pulse hammering as I hurried toward him. My hands trembled. I touched him, his shirt was soaked in blood. I hurried him inside.He leaned against me, weak but alive. I quickly shot the door.“ I’m just tired,” he whispered, each word strained and hoarse. “Tired? We should get you to a hospital,” I suggested desperately. “You can't die on me.” “No,” he said i