It can’t just be concern.
Then why is he letting me go?
“I’m good. Zander just wanted to ask a few questions. You know your brother. He worries…about all of us.” Rose’s words make my breath hitch.
As if that’s the cue Zander has been waiting for, he says to Zane, “I had a funny conversation with Mary. She seems to be confused about your wedding date. Then I wondered if it’s her or us who have it wrong. When did you get married, bro?” The bite behind Zander’s honey-coated words slices through my heart, but when I look at Zane, I die a thousand deaths. His hazel eyes almost look like he’s in pain.
What have I done?
I made this man deceive his family. If I’d have known the Teagers before, I never would have gone through with this charade.
I can’t even imagine how painful it’ll be for everyone.
Soreness develops in the back of my throat. I feel like time has slowed down as Zane’s gaze meets mine. His face blurs as tears brim in my eyes, and I clench my fist, determined not to let them spill.
“It’s-s not important wh-when we got married. You jus-st need to know Vienna and I ar-re getting a divorce.”
33
ZANE
“What the fuck is going on?” Zach wastes no time showing how much he hates being summoned into Beast’s study on a sunny winter afternoon.
“Everyone’s here now.” Beast gets up from the leather couch and waves toward me and Lukas. “Tell us what happened, Zander,” he says to my brother, who still has that irritated look on his face—lips pinched together, brows furrowed.
Once I told them about the imminent divorce, Rose and Zander went into shock. For the next few moments, all I could hear were Rose’s gasps and Zander’s loud breathing.
I was about to take my sister-in-law back into the hospital when she couldn’t stop trembling, but Zander curled her into him, and as always, did something magical when he pressed his hands lightly on her shoulders. Rose calmed and went limp in his arms.
Vienna’s tears spilled down her cheeks as if she wasn’t prepared for us to share our news. Confirming my suspicion, she called Ivy to pick her up and left the hospital with her friend.
I had thought we would at least say a proper goodbye, maybe even share a kiss and a hug. But my wife couldn’t wait to leave me.
Sometime in between, Zander arranged this intervention. He forced me to get into his car, and because of Rose, I couldn’t risk him blowing his top. She already had one near panic attack because of me today. I couldn’t risk another.
Zander drove us to Beast’s house in St. Peppers, and on the way, called Zach and Lukas. Once Rose was comfortable with Sophia, we gathered in this office, where I’m fucking waiting for a grilling session.
Being the youngest sucks sometimes.
“Zane and Vienna are getting divorced.” Zander doesn’t beat around the bush.
“What the fuck?” Zach’s curse is followed by Beast’s “Nonsense!”
“You aren’t surprised?” Zander’s gaze bores into Lukas, who has been mostly silent this afternoon. “You knew this was going to happen.”
My empty stomach fucking quivers at Zander’s remark.
“What are you saying, Zander? How would Luke know, and what sick joke is this?” Zach takes a step forward, squeezing himself between Beast and our elder brother.
My skin prickles as three pairs of eyes bore into me and Lukas.
“Zander’s right. I knew something like this could happen.” Lukas’ voice is calm, and unlike everyone else, his breathing isn’t labored but measured. Something I’m sure he learned in his Navy SEAL training days.
“Of course you did, because you knew this was a fake wedding. You knew she was marrying him for money—”
“She d-didn’t mar-rry me for money.” I’m on my feet in a rush. Anger like I’ve never experienced infiltrates my insides as my brother’s words rip my heart out.
“Did she not marry you because she couldn’t afford her hospital bills once she was diagnosed with a tumor…much before your wedding?” Every word from my brother’s mouth feels like acid dripping on my raw wounds.