Chapter 11: Moving

By the time Veronica got back to London, the public had already picked a side. The business world saw a powerful alliance. Everyone else saw a scandal. Some people managed to hold both opinions at once. She had asked for space that morning, time to get back to the house, pack, and breathe before the move could turn into a story for the cameras. Alden had agreed and left the Cotswolds. He had his driver take a different route.Maya scrolled through updates on her tablet during the drive back to London with Veronica.“Meridian is recovering faster than anyone projected,” she said. “Ashford Capital reversed their withdrawal this morning.”Veronica watched the familiar skyline fill the window, the bridges, the Thames, the grey of the city she had built her life inside. “And the board?”“Harrison sent a congratulatory email.”Veronica turned from the window. “Harrison? My supposed arch enemy on that board?” A short, dry laugh escaped her. “Isn’t that a surprise.”“Beckett and Arden stocks

Chapter 12: First Night

The staff lingered near the doorway with her luggage, everyone suddenly aware they had witnessed something deeply private.Veronica found her voice first."I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs. Sterling." Her voice rose. "I mean that sincerely. But what you just said, in front of your staff, in front of everyone standing in this hall, was disrespectful. You should know better."Sutton turned to look at her fully."Disrespectful?" Sutton’s voice rose with hers. "You're standing in my son's home with your luggage and you want to talk to me about disrespect?""Take Ms. Beckett's things upstairs. Everyone else, out." Alden's voice cut across the room. The staff moved without hesitation, the butler lifting the luggage and the others disappearing as though they had never been there. The entrance hall emptied around the three of them.Sutton's eyes barely left Veronica. "Your father did well for himself in business. And now you think we are of the same class? We are not. We have never been. We never

Chapter 13: Carry On

Alden moved quietly through the room, one hand already reaching for the watch he had left on the bedside table. He had showered in one of the guest rooms along the east wing and crossed back through the quiet hallway wrapped only in a towel, not thinking much of it at that hour. But now that he stood here, he paused. Veronica was still asleep.The bedside lamp caught the side of her face, softening the sternness that usually lived there. Her breathing was steady, one hand resting near her collarbone, and she wore an unguarded expression he was not accustomed to seeing. For a moment he stood still, the watch forgotten in his hand.She looked young. She was years younger than him, that seemed obvious now.Alden looked away. He took the cufflinks, his notes, and the folded shirt from the chair, then stepped back toward the door. The room remained quiet behind him, untainted by the fact that he had been there at all.That lasted exactly until he opened the door.A maid further down the co

Chapter 14: Smile, The Cameras Are Watching

Her call with Maya ended a few minutes later. Veronica stayed where she was for a moment, finishing the rest of her tea, until a housekeeper eventually appeared in the doorway.“Mrs. Sterling,” she said politely. “Mr. Sterling asked if you would join him in his office when you’re ready.”Veronica set her cup down and stood.Alden’s office sat toward the back of the house. Veronica knocked once before entering. Alden looked up from behind his desk.Ethan Mitchel sat across from him with a folder resting against one arm, as though the meeting had already been underway for some time. “Good morning, Mrs Sterling,” Ethan said politely.“Just Veronica, please.”She stepped fully into the room.“Alden asked me to go over Thursday’s press arrangements,” Ethan said, closing the folder slightly. Veronica crossed toward the desk instead of sitting.Alden slid a file toward her without comment, and she opened it.Inside were guest lists, seating arrangements, press restrictions, and approved me

Chapter 15: Burgundy

Rick saw the photograph before the tabloids did.One of the private contacts he kept on retainer had forwarded it less than twenty minutes earlier with no text attached, as though the image explained enough on its own.Rick leaned back slowly in his chair, studying the screen again.Veronica stood beneath the pale afternoon light outside Alden Sterling’s estate, one hand against Alden’s chest while she kissed his cheek. Alden’s hand circled her wrist. Not pushing her away. Holding her there.Interesting.Rick knew Alden well enough to recognise the problem immediately.It was not the kiss itself. It was the look on Alden’s face afterward.Rick stared at the image a moment longer before setting the phone down.Traffic crawled slowly outside the car while his driver navigated through the streets.Then he reached for another contact. Jane answered on the fourth ring.“Jane.”“Rick,” Jane answered. “I hope this is important. Some of us are still pretending to contribute meaningfully to soc

All Chapters of Bound By His Brother's Heart: Chapter 11 - Chapter 15

Chapter 11: Moving

Chapter 12: First Night

Chapter 13: Carry On

Chapter 14: Smile, The Cameras Are Watching

Chapter 15: Burgundy