บททั้งหมดของ Want Me Back? Ask My Brothers First: บทที่ 41 - บทที่ 50

~NATE~“Congratulations on winning, Lori. You were incredible out there.”“No, that’s too much.” I drag a hand through my hair and pace near the building’s exit.“Congrats, Lori.”I stop. That sounds stupid too.For the past ten minutes, I’ve been standing here like an idiot, rehearsing different ways to talk to my wife while she remained inside accepting congratulations from literally everyone at the competition.The irony isn’t lost on me.I have spent years convincing myself Lori wasn’t talented, ambitious or worthy enough. Only for her to walk onto that stage and prove me wrong in front of hundreds of people.Not only is she talented, but she’s also exceptional.Even Ava, who had attended one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, wasn’t able to move the audience the way Lori did.Heavens, why am I overthinking things?I’m sure it’s just that I feel it’s right to congratulate her. Or maybe I simply want an excuse to properly look at her.Because ever since she’d steppe

~NATE~For a couple of seconds, Ava only stares at me. Every color drains slowly from her face, disbelief replacing the confidence she’d worn all evening.Then she lets out a shaky laugh.“Nate… what are you talking about?”“I figured you’d deny it.” Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone and tap the video.The footage begins to play.The second Ava sees herself on the screen, she looks just as pale as a ghost. After asking security to delete the footage earlier, I made sure to get a copy sent to me first because I suspected she might try to lie. And she just did.So now, not only is she a manipulator, but also a liar. The two combinations I hate the most.“Nate, I…” she stutters, the words dying before they fully form.Her shoulders sag, then tears spill down her cheeks.“I messed up, didn’t I?”“You think?” The bitterness in my voice catches me off guard. “I expected better from you, Ava.”She lowers her head as sobs shake her frame.“I was insecure and scared,” she whispers.

~LORETTE~My eyes fly open in shock.With every ounce of strength I have, I shove Nate away from me. My lips already sting from the sheer force of that reckless, infuriating kiss.“What the hell is wrong with you, Nate?”Instead of looking ashamed, he lets out a low chuckle. A smug smile tugs at his lips as he wipes a thumb across the corner of his mouth, looking far too pleased with himself.“You know,” he says, studying me with an annoyingly knowing look, “I understand exactly what you’re doing.”I stare at him. “I’m sorry?”“That little game you’ve been playing.” He takes a step closer. “Acting cold, distant, making me chase after you...”At this point, I’m honestly wondering if he’s lost his mind.His smirk deepens.“Pretending you didn’t enjoy that kiss when it’s obvious you did.” His gaze drops briefly to my mouth before lifting again. “This is what you’ve always wanted, Lori. For me to finally pay attention to you. So why are you suddenly acting like the ice queen?”His foolish

~LORETTE~“What are you doing?!” I scream at him, immediately tearing my eyes away from his naked body. Heat rushes to my face like a furnace.“What do you mean by that? I want to bathe too, of course,” he says, walking even closer to me.What the hell? Is he a pervert now?I think about just leaving the bathtub for him, but I am completely naked under the water. Instead, I sink deeper to hide my skin and look away, determined not to catch another glimpse of him.My heart hammers so hard in my chest it feels like it might fail.Did he plan this? Was that why he didn’t argue when I asked him to run the bath? Because he knew he could turn things to his advantage?Ugh, stupid, Lori. Look how your plans have backfired!“Could you please pass me the towel?” I ask, never sparing him a glance. “Please?”“Didn’t you say you wanted a bath?” The sarcasm and mischief in his tone are barely concealed. “I put so much effort into this, and now you’re trying to turn it down?”To my greatest panic, I

~LORI~“Dear, are you okay? You don’t look well.” Ella’s concerned voice follows me as I drag myself into the kitchen, wrapped tightly in a blanket with my laptop tucked under one arm. I’m terribly down with a cold but I need to sort through the offers this morning and finally decide what direction I want my career to take.“I’m fine.” I lie, only for another sniffle to betray me.Ella gives me a look that clearly says she doesn’t believe a word of it. Shaking her head, she turns back to the stove and pours a steaming herbal tea into a cup.“Honestly, Lori, you should’ve stayed at the mansion last night instead of coming home in that cold. Now look at you.”I lower myself onto one of the kitchen stools with a quiet sigh, silently regretting my decision for what feels like the hundredth time.If I’d known I’d end up catching such a terrible cold, I would’ve swallowed my pride and spent the night in one of the guest rooms.But then again… how could I have stayed after Nate obviously pla