All Chapters of Marrying My Ex’s Older Brother: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Her words made Julian frown.Five years earlier, Vanessa had told the family she was dating Adrian. Julian had been twenty-three. He'd said nothing and exchanged the watch he'd bought for her birthday for a necklace.At nineteen, she'd announced that she would marry Adrian. The next day, Julian had left the country.He'd been away for three years.On the day he returned, he'd learned Adrian had left her waiting at the registry. He'd called her before he could talk himself out of it.Julian took a moment before answering.“Why would I scold you? They hurt you. You didn't deserve that.”Vanessa looked down at her injured hand. Adrian had blamed her for getting hurt. Julian was still here, holding her water.He leaned forward so she would look at him.“Stick to your principles. Don't let anyone push you around.”He brushed her hair away from her face.“I'll stand by you. You don't have to face them on your own.”She nodded, wiping her eyes.“I'll remember that.”Perhaps he was only doing

The two families had always worked together. Any action against Miles's family would affect both their relationship and their business interests.Natalie frowned.“Julian used to find Vanessa unbearable. Why is he helping her?”“He probably doesn't want to ruin the deals between our companies,” Adrian replied. “He's the head of the group. He'll always do what's best for the Ashfords and the business.”Natalie lowered her eyes. She knew Adrian resented being pressured.“This is all my fault. Miles was only defending me. If I'd put up with it at the time, none of this would have happened. You wouldn't be forced to marry her.”“If she enjoys playing these games so much, I'll teach her a lesson once we're married. She needs to stop being so manipulative and spoiled.”“I know you only agreed to marry her because of the promise you made three years ago,” Natalie added gently. “You're still young. You could choose any girl from a good family. I hate seeing you sacrifice yourself like this.”

“Nat needed several stitches because of you. You've really gone too far.”“Tomorrow, after we sign the papers, I want you to apologize to her. Otherwise, this isn't going to work.”Vanessa read the messages without answering.He still thought he could tell her what to do.She started downstairs, leaving the phone on the table.Another message arrived just before she left it behind.“I'll be waiting at the registry office at nine tomorrow morning. I've done my part to sort this out. Stop throwing a tantrum.”Downstairs, a sound from the kitchen and a delicious smell caught her attention.Julian stood at the stove in an apron, his shirtsleeves rolled up. Vanessa stopped in the doorway to watch him.Vanessa wanted to take a photograph. Then she remembered her phone was upstairs.The house was unusually quiet.“Where's everyone?” she asked, approaching him.“I gave them the day off.” Amusement flickered in his eyes. “Dinner's ready. Wash your hands.”She washed her hands and came back. He

She would have to discuss it with Julian later.Julian was in the living room, drinking coffee. Vanessa stopped in the doorway.He noticed her and set down his cup.“Finished talking?”“Am I really that handsome?”She looked away, embarrassed to have been caught staring.Fortunately, Arthur emerged from the study just as the butler announced the meal. Vanessa hurried toward the dining room, not daring to look back.Her birthday meal finished around four in the afternoon. Arthur needed to rest. Before retiring, he gave Julian a stern look.“Take good care of Nessa, or you'll answer to me.”Julian agreed without hesitation.Vanessa listened without interrupting.She didn't doubt Julian would treat her well. What bothered her was the thought that he might eventually want to marry someone else.She was silent throughout the drive home. As soon as they arrived, she went upstairs.Julian watched her retreat, frowning. After a moment, he followed and caught her arm.“What's wrong?”She nearl

Vanessa went quiet. He knew what her work meant to her, and he'd mocked it anyway.Vanessa lost her mother at ten and her father at eighteen. That year, Adrian promised her father that he would care for her and always be there.Soon after her father's death, Adrian had begun dismissing her and finding fault with what she did.She'd told him why writing mattered to her. In her scripts, she could give her characters parents who were alive, families who came home to one another. He knew how much she missed her own parents.He kept talking anyway.“You disgust me.”Adrian stopped. She hadn't looked at him like that before.“Vanessa, I...”The car stopped.“We're here, sir,” his assistant said.“Come on. Go up and apologize properly.”Vanessa laughed without saying a word.* * *At Firax Group, Julian tried calling her again after the first call ended. Her phone was switched off. Uneasy, he told Daniel to find out what had happened.A few minutes later, Daniel reported that Adrian had take