They Didn't Regret It Until I Left

The girl my family sponsored was a manipulative opportunist. She had my childhood friends wrapped around her finger.

I helped her out of pity for her poor background, but she climbed her way up, slowly taking my place.

She faked innocence in front of the brothers while sabotaging me behind my back. When they found out, they called me petty rather than blame her.

I got fed up, married my college crush, and moved on.

But they flew in overnight, begging for forgiveness.

...

"Angie, how could you betray me?"

"Who was that guy dropping you at the hotel? When did you meet him?"

The Quinn brothers stormed toward me. Their faces twisted with possessive anger, like they wanted to lock me up.

I laughed, then shot back, "What's it to you? Mind your own business."

They fumed at my harsh tone. "What do you think our bond is? I'm not letting another guy near you."

I lounged on the couch. "And who are you to say that? Get out."

The loyal butler of my family handed me a warm towel. Then he turned to the brothers. "Gentlemen, you heard the lady."

They weren't having it.

Roger Quinn, the older one, stated, "We'll let this slide today. Just promise you'll never see that guy again, or I'll make sure he disappears from Arvandor."

Gerard Quinn echoed, "If we find him, he's losing his leg. Anyone who messes with the Quinn-Brown alliance is done."

The butler waved for security, and the guards escorted them out.

They yelled defiantly, "We've been so nice to you! How could you treat us like this? Don't you remember how close we were?"

...

Our families were old allies. Roger and Gerard had liked me since we were kids.

Once, I saved them from drowning in a river, thanks to my swimming skills. From then on, they vowed to protect me forever.

Over the years, they did everything to win me over. To them, I was a unique, perfect partner.

In college, when I interned at my family's company, a drunk guy harassed me. Roger rushed in, beating the guy bloody and not stopping.

I later found out he had tracked my every move, even renting an apartment across from mine. He couldn't rest easily until my lights went out.

Gerard joined the same company, cooking for me daily. If any male coworker got close, he'd turn menacing, scaring them off.

Their antics made me the talk of the office. When word reached my parents, they urged me to choose one of them soon, or their obsession might tear them apart.

Around then, I met a girl named Lauren Jefferson, poor but independent.

Impressed, I decided to help her. But then, the heirloom left by my grandmother went missing.

After some digging, I found out Lauren took it.