All Chapters of Tempting My Ex’s Brother : Chapter 21 - Chapter 27

“Happy birthday,” I said as I handed him my gift.He took it, smiling warmly. “Thank you, Ruelle.”His gaze shifted to the side, landing on Xerces. I had to elbow him subtly, just enough to signal him to say something. I even caught the soft, annoyed exhale he let out.“Happy birthday,” he muttered flatly.I frowned at the tone, which sounded more like he was commenting on some unfortunate news than celebrating.I nudged him again, quietly whispering, “Smile.”He ignored me, so I forced myself into a small smile instead. Apollo chuckled faintly at my effort.Seraphina approached us, radiant in a blue dress that flattered her figure and highlighted her flawless skin.“Happy birthday,” she said to Apollo, her voice light and airy.Apollo smiled gently and thanked her. They exchanged a few words before she faced us. Her face lit up the moment her eyes landed on Xerces. She stepped closer and hugged him war

It was already past midnight when we left the party. I groaned as I sank comfortably into the passenger seat of Xerces’s car, my heels finally getting a break.“Your seatbelt,” he reminded me without looking at me.I let out a small laugh after realizing I still hadn’t buckled up. “Yeah, yeah. Got it.”The engine started, and soon enough, the car pulled away from the street.“That was a night,” I murmured, letting my head fall against the headrest. My eyes slipped shut as exhaustion slowly crept in.“You’re wasted.”I nodded lazily. “Had too much fun.”He scoffed. “You’ve been drinking almost every day. You seriously think you’re gonna make it to your thirties without getting ill?”“Hey, that’s such an exaggeration,” I complained, turning my head toward him.“Is it?”“Yes,” I insisted. Then, after a short pause, I added, “Well, not every day.”“Tell that to yourself.”“I don’t even drink every day,” I told myself, just like he told me to.He snorted.For a moment, only the low hum of

As I pulled up in front of Xerces’s house, I stepped out of the car and walked toward his front door. I knocked once, then twice, but there was no response. I pressed the doorbell several times after that, yet the house remained quiet.With no other choice, I headed straight to my house and took a quick shower instead. After getting dressed, I made my way to my bedroom balcony, where I could see the street clearly. His favorite car wasn’t parked in his garage, so I knew he wasn’t home yet.The next day, I tried again to talk to him, but it seemed like he hadn’t been home last night. I started getting ready. I chose a simple but classy dress and grabbed Zeus’s number from my bedside table before sending him a message.To: ZeusWhere are we meeting?I’m sorry but I think I’m gonna be late. I’m still finishing a few things.I finished my makeup, setting it lightly with powder while waiting for a reply.Zeus: No wo

As a child, I was in a hurry to grow up. I thought adulthood meant freedom. Funny how things turned out. Now, all I want is to be that little girl again—the one whose biggest dilemma was choosing clothes for her Barbie dolls. I’ve always heard how much adulthood sucks, but you will never really understand how exhausting it is until you experience it yourself. Sometimes, I honestly wish I could crawl back into my mother’s womb and start over.Money is great, but so is having a will to live. At this point, I think I need a full year off just to romanticize my life again.“Jesus, it’s freakin’ hot,” Lana grumbled. “I’m still alive, but I swear this is what hell must feel like.”“Consider it an early orientation. You still have time to repent,” Elizabeth teased with a grin.“Shut up. Stop talking about yourself.”“Oh, please. With a list of sins as long as yours, I wouldn’t be so confident if I were you.”I shook my head wh