Chapter 1 – The Brothers She Never Stopped Believing In
Chapter 1 – The Brothers She Never Stopped Believing In
Ryan laughed so hard that the sound echoed through the marble foyer.
"You actually called them?" he scoffed. "Good. They'll get front-row seats when I teach you another lesson."
His wife, Emily, slowly lifted herself from the floor, one hand protecting her pregnant belly.
"I didn't call anyone," she answered.
"They've been watching."
Ryan frowned.
"What?"
Emily's eyes shifted toward the blinking security camera.
"For months."
The smile disappeared from Ryan's face.
Before he could react, one of the men in black stepped forward.
He was the tallest of the three.
His expression never changed.
"Ryan Carter?"
Ryan tightened his grip on the bat.
"Who the hell are you?"
The man ignored the question.
"My name is Daniel Brooks."
He reached inside his jacket—not for a weapon, but for a leather folder.
"You have exactly thirty seconds to put down the bat."
Ryan burst into laughter again.
"And if I don't?"
Daniel looked at him as though he were discussing the weather.
"Then we'll defend our sister."
Ryan's eyes widened.
"Sister?"
The second man finally spoke.
"We warned you before the wedding."
The third removed his sunglasses.
"You assumed we were bluffing."
Only then did Ryan begin to recognize them.
Years ago, Emily had been adopted by one of the wealthiest families in the country after losing her parents in an accident.
She never cared about money.
She never mentioned her family name.
She simply wanted a normal life.
Ryan thought she'd cut ties with them forever.
He was disastrously wrong.
Daniel slowly walked toward Emily.
He gently removed his expensive suit jacket and wrapped it around her bruised shoulders.
His jaw tightened as he saw fingerprints around her neck.
His hands trembled—not from fear.
From barely controlled rage.
Emily whispered,
"I'm sorry."
Daniel shook his head.
"No."
His voice cracked for the first time.
"You have nothing to apologize for."
Ryan suddenly felt the room becoming much smaller.
Outside, black luxury SUVs filled the driveway.
Security personnel quietly surrounded the property.
Every exit was covered.
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For the first time in years...
Ryan realized he wasn't in control anymore.
