บททั้งหมดของ Dirty Secrets With My Brother-In-Law: บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

Chapter 11EmilyThe afternoon sun spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the hotel suite in warm golden light. I stood in front of the mirror, admiring how the smoky red lingerie clung to my body like a second skin. The delicate lace barely covered anything, yet somehow made me feel more powerful than naked.I knew it would get to this point eventually. I had seen it coming. Still, I wasn’t ready for it to end Atleast not yet. Strangely, this time, the guilt wasn’t overwhelming. It lingered somewhere in the background, quiet… almost ignorable.My gaze dropped to what I was wearing Xavier had sent the set earlier with a small black card that still made my cheeks burn whenever I thought about it“Let’s see how many times you can get fucked before your wedding.”The memory sent heat rushing through me.I could hear the shower running in the bathroom. The entire wall was made of clear glass, giving me an unobstructed view of Xavier. Water cascaded down his broad shoulder

MARCUSOne look. That was all it took. One stupid look. “Damn pull it together” I whispered The words slipped out before I could stop them. The girl pulled back. “Sorry?” “Oh.” I cleared my throat. “no no not you, I just thought out loud” I extended my hand. “It was nice meeting you…” I trailed off, realizing I didn’t know her name. “Amaya.” she supplied with a bright grin. “Nice meeting you Amaya” I shook her hand “hope to see you around” “Same M. maq” she smiled As I walked away, my palms were already sweating. My pulse hammered beneath my skin. Because Ethan was still staring. Not glancing. Not looking around. Staring. My mind immediately spiraled. Do I have something on my face? Did I spill something? Does this shirt look ridiculous? Why is he looking at me like that? Every question crashed into the next. Yet none of them stopped me. I kept walking toward him. Slowly. Deliberately. Trying to appear calm. Trying not

MARCUS“Damn.” She smacked my hand. “You are in a messed-up situation, Marcus.” “Ugh… I know, Merlina. Help me.”“Help you?” She barked out a laugh , leaning back. “How the hell am I supposed to do that?”“I really… “ I rubbed a hand over my face “I don’t know.”“Exactly.”“And it gets worse”Her posture straightened immediately eyes narrowed with curiosity. She scooted forward on the seat, the leather creaked softly under her weight. “It does?” she whispered, glancing around the dimly lit bar. “What else did you two do?”“No, no that’s not what I meant.” I shook my head quickly, heat rising in my cheeks. “Come on, Merlina, have some faith in me.”“Faith?” She scoffed, rolling her eyes as she traced a finger along the rim of her own untouched drink. “That’s a strong word. Having faith in you is like believing world hunger would end tomorrow. You do the most random stuffs.”I managed a weak smile. “you’re starting to sound like my sister.”“Well, somebody has to tell you the

JAKEThe call had yanked me from the warmth of my bed into the biting night air.I wasn’t supposed to be out here chasing after a drunk Marcus—I was supposed to be resting.Instead, I found myself near the empty parking lot of a bar.By the time I arrived, most of the lights inside had already been killed.Only a faint neon sign flickered above the door like a dying heartbeat.I slipped through the door, which led me into the bar.A waitress emerged from the shadows of the back room, her ponytail slipping loose and a dish towel slung over one shoulder. She moved with the slow, heavy steps of someone who’d been on her feet for far too long.“Sorry, we’re closed,” she called out, her voice sharp with exhaustion.Her tone struck a chord of recognition.“You called me about fifteen minutes ago… remember?”She paused mid-stride, her eyes narrowing as she studied my face.“Oh, are you… Jake?”“Yeah.” My gaze swept the dim room—overturned chairs, sticky tabletops, and the faint smell of spil

ETHAN The front door shut behind me harder than I intended, morning air hit my face, cool and sharp.My jaw was tight as I crossed the driveway, keys already in my hand.The car door hissed open with that smooth sound that usually settled something in my chest.Today, it did nothing.I slid in, engine roaring to life before I’d even decided where I was going, anywhere was better than that kitchen, with its domestic smell and the weight of Jake’s words still ringing in my ears.“Poor guy had a rough night.”“He got beaten.”“Took care of him.”“Stayed the night.”My fingers tightened around the steering wheel until my knuckles turned pale.I loosened them immediately.Then tightened them again a few seconds later.I was losing patience with myself.The city blurred past the windows as I merged onto the highway without a destination.Focus.I repeated it like an anthem, my voice low and flat in the silent cabin.You’re marrying his sister in a day. Keep it together.Pointless.My thoug