All Chapters of Want Me Back? Ask My Brothers First: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

~LORETTE~“Hi, Lorette. Wow… you’ve grown even more beautiful since the last time I saw you.”Aaron rises the moment I step into the café. A warm smile spreads across his face as he walks over to greet me, taking my hand and pressing a gentlemanly kiss against the back of it.Heat creeps into my cheeks, but I quickly hide it with a smile.“You don’t look bad yourself, Aaron.”That isn’t a lie.If anything, he’s even more handsome than he was back in college. His shoulders are broader now, his frame more muscular like he’s spent years in the gym, and he carries himself with the quiet confidence of someone who’s found his place in life.If our former classmates could see him now, they’d probably develop fresh crushes all over again.Aaron pulls out a chair for me before taking the seat across from mine.“Honestly, Lori, you haven’t changed at all.” He chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief. “You still look like you’re eighteen.”I laugh softly. “You’re exaggerating.”“Not even a little.

~LORI~ “If you have any further questions, you can always ask me.” Aaron smiles as we wrap up the tour around the gallery. I’d arrived early this morning, and he’d introduced me to my colleagues, then personally taken me through every corner of the place, introducing me to the different exhibition halls, studios, storage rooms and creative spaces. Although Lumen Muse is still a startup gallery, it’s nowhere near as small as I’d imagined. In fact, it’s surprisingly spacious. The walls are lined with breathtaking pieces, each one carrying its own personality and story, and everywhere I turn, I find another artwork that leaves me impressed. I can already tell I’m going to enjoy working here. Throughout the entire tour, however, my phone keeps vibrating inside my jeans pocket. I ignore it the first few times, assuming it’s just another congratulatory message or business inquiry, but the notifications refuse to stop. “Sorry… excuse me for a second.” I finally pull my phone out, o

~LORETTE~ Aaron’s silence stretches longer, the suspicion in his eyes sharpened as he searches my face, as if the truth might somehow be written there in plain sight. “Same brushwork… similar concepts…” His voice drops lower. “And the way you managed to get your hands on an original Masked LRT painting when she’s never sold a single one or appeared in public…” He leans in slightly, studying me with quiet intensity. “You really are her, aren’t you?” I feel like a deer caught in headlights. There is no clever lie I can spin when he has already connected every single dot. I quickly glance around to make sure we are alone, then lower my voice. “Please… promise me you’ll keep my identity a secret.” The moment the words leave my mouth, Aaron’s eyes widen. His lips part in disbelief before something almost like reverence slowly replaces the shock. “No way…” He takes a half-step back, looking at me as if he is seeing me for the first time. “Masked LRT… working at my gallery? I must be

~LUCAS~ “Brothers… could you please do me a favor?” Lori’s voice reaches us the moment she steps through the door. Paint still stains her fingers, and the worried look on her face makes my stomach twist instantly. I sit up straight. “What’s the matter, Lori? Did something happen?” God help that ex-husband of hers, Nate, if this has anything to do with him. I will make sure he regrets ever laying eyes on our sister. She shakes her head quickly. “Nothing serious.” A brief hesitation crosses her features before she continues. “I just need your help getting my social media account back. I can’t log in.” Relief loosens the tension in my chest. “Of course. Hunter is good with these things. He’ll sort it out.” Hunter is already on his feet and walking toward her. “What account do you need help with, sister?” Lori hesitates again, then hands him her phone. “It’s an old account where I used to post my artworks. I painted something new and… I want to upload it.” From the couch,

~LUCAS~ “I’ve made a decision. I will be unveiling myself as Masked LRT.” The moment those words leave Lori’s mouth after she returns from the gallery, Hunter and Jace practically jump up and hug each other like two little kids. Ella hugs Lori tight and I beam from ear to ear. As it should be. “I’m really proud of you for taking this step, Lori. Whatever you need, just say the word. We’re all here for you.” “Yeah! Whatever it is, we’re in!” Jace chirps, still grinning from ear to ear. Lori nods gratefully, a soft smile on her lips as she continues. “I spoke to Aaron, the owner of the gallery where I work. He suggested we host a grand unveiling event.” Everyone settles back into their seats, listening closely. “It’ll be an auction,” she explains. “My newest paintings will be sold to the highest bidders, and once the auction ends… I’ll take off the mask and reveal my face.” Ella claps her hands together softly. “I love it!” “It sounds elegant,” Hunter adds. “And completely