Bounded By The Brother のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 18

Lily’s POV I didn’t bring up the birthday party idea. Aaron had informed me on Thursday morning with the same manner he always used: Direct, leaving no room for my opinion or agreement. “Make sure you are free on Saturday evening,” he said. “I’m taking you to a party.” “What kind of party?” I asked. “Birthday party. An associate of mine.” He glanced at me. “Get something appropriate to wear.” I spent almost ten minutes in front of my wardrobe trying to decide what was appropriate for a man like Aaron. Finally, I decided on a red wrap dress that was elegant without being too much. When I got to the house on Saturday evening, Aaron was already dressed up and waiting in the living room. He had a black tuxedo and he looked to have freshly dyed his hair. The white color shone more. His eyes moved over me a moment too long when I appeared. Then he looked away. “Ready?” he said. “Yes,” I responded. We drove in a black Benz to the venue, which everyone knew to be the biggest

Lily’s POV I was already at the gate by eight a.m. The security guard nodded at me the same way he had been doing each morning over the past two weeks. I smiled and nodded back before walking through the gate. I convinced myself that today would be like every other day. But it wasn’t. I had information now that changed the shape of everything. And I had to sit with it inside Aaron’s house for eight hours without making it obvious on my face. I switched on the laptop the moment I placed my bag down in the office. As usual, Aaron’s light was already on in his space. He was on a phone call. And his voice was low and unhurried, the way I had come to know it to be. I sat down and clicked open the pending folder. For a few minutes, I stared at the screen without really doing anything. Dorian’s brother. I had spent some time in front of the mirror earlier in the morning, giving myself a firm conversation. Dorian was in the past. Aaron was the job. I vowed to keep them sepa

Lily's POVThe voice sounded familiar. I turned my head back slowly.Dorian stood behind me with a glass of champagne in his hand. The corners of his lips were curved up the same way he had smiled at the altar minutes ago. “I couldn't believe it when my assistant told me he saw you here,” he said. I didn't reply. I glanced at Aaron. He was shifting his gaze between me and Dorian. Then I stood up to face Dorian.“Dorian,” I said his name the way I was already used to.He didn't even spare his brother a look. “Can we talk,” he said, sipping the champagne with the calmness I knew him for. I should have said no. I turned to look at Aaron who still hadn't said a word but his brows were drawn deeper now. “Sure,” I said. I followed Dorian to a quieter corner of the hall where Aaron's gaze could still reach me. Dorian turned to face me. He didn't say a word at first, he just stared deeply into my eyes that I had to blink. “You look well,” he said. “Thanks,” I responded.“I didn’t

Aaron's POVSleep was difficult after the wedding. It had always been like this. But I lay awake longer than most nights. My eyes were on the ceiling. Many thoughts came and my mind refused to stay for more than five seconds. I knew Bella Jamie. Everyone did. I still couldn’t figure out why Dorian would decide to settle down with a woman like that. Rude. Arrogant and selfish. Those were the words people used to describe her. The corridor scene replayed. Not the near kiss but the moment before. Lily pressing against my body. Her shoulders shook as her hands rested on my chest. I thought about how she turned into me. Like her body had decided before her brain caught up. That wasn't my first time I held someone. But this was different. I turned on my side and convinced myself to stop thinking about it. By Monday morning, thoughts of Lily still hadn’t left my mind but I was at my desk by six thirty. I already knew the day’s agenda before she arrived to confirm it on paper. She knoc