My Ex Is My Fiancé’s Elder Brother

"Is the diamond necklace too much for a family dinner?" I ask, turning away from the vanity mirror.

Sterling leans against the doorframe of my bedroom, crossing his arms. He inspects me from head to toe. "For my family? There's no such thing as too much."

"I just want to strike the right tone."

"You look perfect," he says, checking his watch. "But we need to leave. My mother is already texting me in all caps."

I grab my clutch from the bed. "I still don't understand the urgency. We’ve been dating for exactly ninety days. We just saw your parents on Sunday."

"My older brother finally flew back from London."

"You older brother? " I ask, following him out into the hallway.

I'd known of him for some time, yet we'd never crossed paths.

"Yeah. He landed three hours ago and immediately demanded a family dinner. He wants to meet the woman who finally got me to settle down."

I lock the door behind us. "I didn't get you to do anything. We made a mutually beneficial arrangement. Our families merge, our stock prices stabilize, and we both get our parents off our backs."

"Does your brother know about our arrangement?" I ask as we step into the elevator.

"No. No one knows except us," Sterling says, glancing at me. "As far as my family is concerned, we met at that charity gala, fell madly in love, and are rushing toward the altar because we just can't bear to be apart."

"Right. The official story."

"Exactly. So tonight, you need to look at me like I'm the center of your universe."

I offer him a dry smile. "I'm an excellent actress, Sterling."

"I know you are, Wren. That's why I picked you."

The drive to the Voss estate is quick, filled with Sterling listing off his brother's eccentricities.

"He doesn't do small talk," Sterling says, keeping his eyes on the road. "If he asks you a question, give a direct answer. He hates hesitation."

"Noted."

"And don't bring up his ex."

I turn my head. "He has an ex?"

"Someone he met in Europe, I think. He never brought her home. Never even told us her name. But when they ended, he went off the rails for a solid six months. Almost tanked a merger."

My stomach does a strange flip. "I'll make sure to avoid the topic of romance entirely."

"Smart choice. He's ruthless on a good day. Cold on a bad one. He built the European branch from nothing, and he doesn't trust easily."

"Why did he stay away so long?" I ask, watching the streetlights blur past the window.

"No one knows. He went to London to secure a minor deal, then just refused to come back. Cut off most contact. My father thinks he was just proving a point."

I nod, looking at my reflection in the dark glass. London. My chest tightens at the mere mention of the city. I spent a year there, hiding from my family, hiding from my name. I lived a completely different life. I loved a completely different boy.

But that was in the past.

The car slows to a halt in front of the sprawling wrought-iron gates of the estate. They swing open, and we pull up the long, circular driveway.

"Ready?" Sterling asks, shifting the car into park.

"Always."

We step out into the crisp evening air. My soles tap against the marble stairs leading to the grand entrance. Before Sterling can even reach for the heavy brass knocker, the door swings open.

"Wren, darling!" Eleanor Voss beams, stepping forward to pull me into a tight hug.

"Good evening, Mrs. Voss."

"Oh, stop with the formalities. Call me Eleanor." She pulls back, holding me by the shoulders. "You look absolutely flawless. Three months in, and my son is still entirely smitten."

"I try my best," I say, forcing a polite smile.

Mr. Voss steps into the foyer, adjusting his cuffs. "Sterling. Wren. Glad you made it."

"Where is the man of the hour?" Sterling asks, looking around the empty hallway.

"In the living room," Mr. Voss replies, gesturing down the corridor. "He's been pacing since he got off the jet. Go on in."

"Don't keep him waiting," Eleanor adds. "He’s eager to see who finally tamed you, Sterling."

Sterling offers his arm. I loop my hand through his, letting him guide me down the vaulted corridor. The lighting dims slightly as we approach the back of the estate, casting long shadows across the polished hardwood floors.

"Relax," Sterling whispers, leaning close to my ear. "Your grip is cutting off my circulation."

I loosen my fingers instantly. "Sorry. I just want to make a good impression."

"You're a Gallagher. You always make a good impression. Besides, Rhys is just a guy. A very grumpy, overly serious guy."

We stop in front of the massive double doors leading to the main living room. Sterling pushes them open.

The room is vast, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the dark, sprawling.

The massive double doors swing open.

The man standing by the fireplace turns around.

My heart slams against my ribs, freezing the blood in my veins.

It’s him.

It's Rhys?!