Chapter 6
1143words
The body heat beside me burns hot—Luke.
He moves closer, half asleep and half awake, his breath cascading on my neck, carrying that crisp scent unique to young men.
"Ella..." he murmurs my name, like a puppy seeking affection.
Just as his lips are about to descend, the phone screen on the bedside table suddenly lights up.
I turn my head, avoiding his kiss, my gaze landing precisely on that illuminated screen.
Vince.
[Where are you? Did you go to find Ella?]
The game should end now.
Luke doesn't notice my change, still stubbornly trying to kiss me.
I extend one finger, pressing against his warm lips, my voice cold as ice.
I look at the latest message notification, then raise my head to look at him.
"Vince, why is someone saved as Vince sending you messages?"
Luke's body suddenly stiffens, all sleepiness gone. His beautiful eyes instantly fill with panic and helplessness, his lips trembling, yet unable to utter a single word.
The color drains completely from his face, slowly merging with my memory of Vince's pale face from last night.
"Who are you?"
He finally lowers his eyes, his voice harsh and hoarse.
"I'm Luke, Vince's brother... I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" I laugh coldly as I sit up, the silk sheets sliding from my shoulders, revealing collarbones covered with intimate marks. I don't care, only scrutinizing him with my gaze, torturing him inch by inch.
"You brothers teamed up to deceive me. Was that fun? Vince was busy secretly dating his Audrey, so he sent you, his obedient little brother, as a stand-in?"
"Do you need my money that badly? You two are truly shameless!"
Every word is like an ice-cold blade, stabbing deep into Luke's heart.
He suddenly looks up, his face full of disbelief. "You... you knew all along?"
"It's not like that! Ella! It's not what you think!" Luke is completely panicked. He crawls over, kneeling before me, trying to grab my hands, but I avoid his touch with disgust.
"Ella, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! My feelings for you are genuine... Vince doesn't deserve you! He doesn't love you at all!"
His explanation is pale and laughable.
"Genuine?" I sneer, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look at me. "Your genuine feelings led you to pretend to be your brother and climb into my bed?"
Tears well up in his eyes as he desperately tries to explain, his voice breaking.
"I... I came here on my own. I was jealous of him, jealous that he could have you!"
Looking at his pitiful, pathetic state, I release my grip, my tone taking on a playful edge.
"So, what do you plan to do now, Luke?"
He seems to grasp at the last straw of hope, his eyes blazing with desperate light.
"I can help you! I can help you take revenge on him!" He grabs my hand, his grip so strong it almost crushes my bones. "All of Vince's business secrets, those contracts that can't see the light of day—I can give them all to you! Just give me a chance, Ella! Don't leave me!"
As soon as he finishes speaking, Luke's phone begins to vibrate frantically at the worst possible time. On the screen, Vince's name flashes like a death warrant.
I lean forward, leisurely pick up his phone, and slide my fingertip across the screen. A series of exasperated messages pop up.
"What are you doing? Why aren't you responding to my messages?"
"Come back immediately! Plan terminated!"
"Don't touch her. She's mine!"
I turn the phone screen toward him, the corner of my lips curling into a cruel arc.
"Look, your brother is so anxious."
Luke's gaze fixes on those words, and from that handsome face, the last trace of color completely disappears.
I withdraw the phone, toss it onto the velvet bedsheet, my voice light as a feather yet carrying undeniable weight.
"I'm going to break up with Vince."
Luke suddenly raises his head, a faint glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.
I savor his pitiful expectation as I add word by word: "But you can get lost too."
...
When I see Vince again, it's at my apartment.
He stands in the entryway, his face bearing a gentle smile I've never seen before, attempting to mimic that clean, soft quality Luke possesses. He's even changed into a white cashmere sweater, trying to make himself appear harmless.
This appearance only makes him look ridiculous and disgusting.
These two brothers—one cold and heartless, wanting to have his cake and eat it too. The other with rock-bottom moral standards, selfish and shameless.
"Ella," he comes over, trying to take my hand, his voice deliberately gentle, "let's talk, shall we? Everything before was my fault."
I let him hold my fingertips, feeling the cold sweat in his palm.
"Talk about what?" I withdraw my hand, pick up a glass of red wine from the cabinet, and swirl it gently. "Talk about your wedding date with Audrey, or talk about how accomplished you felt treating me like a fool?"
Vince's expression instantly freezes, his fake gentle mask shattering to pieces.
"You..."
I chuckle softly, approaching him step by step, cornering him against the wall, extending my crimson-polished finger and pointing it at his chest.
"Vince, your pride is as cheap as your greed." I look up at him, my eyes filled with mockery. "You think just bowing your head a little would make me come back?"
Vince's pupils suddenly constrict, his body leaning against the wall, slowly sliding down.
A few days later, Luke corners me at the entrance of my apartment building.
He looks much more haggard, the dark circles under his eyes making his face appear particularly vulnerable. He rushes up, grabs my arm, his eyes filled with final desperation.
"Ella, I've given you everything! Vince is done for! I can do anything for you, please..."
He can't finish his words.
A black Bentley silently glides to my side. The door opens, and a young man in a black tailored suit steps out. His eyes are deep-set, carrying a wild aggression.
He walks straight to my side, naturally wraps his arm around my waist, and intimately whispers in my ear with a sexy, husky voice.
"Baby, did I keep you waiting too long?"
Luke's face instantly turns ashen. He looks at us in disbelief, his eyes changing from pleading to jealousy and venom.
I lean into my new boyfriend's embrace, not even bothering to give Luke another glance, and announce his elimination in the most indifferent tone.
"Luke, game over."
I hold onto my new boyfriend's arm and turn to walk toward the car. Behind me, Luke's gaze pierces my back like poison needles.
It doesn't matter anymore. Old toys should be thrown away.
