I knew it made me a hypocrite too because when I blackmailed Ethan and Ava to get my revenge, I’d known that my father was going to react poorly to this secret, and Ethan must have known too because he complied easily.
But there was something I had not taken into account in my equation: Ethan’s love for Ava. He loved her enough to risk everything and he loved her enough to stand up for what was right.
I felt like the lesser brother for the first time in my life, and it was not a nice feeling. I needed to stand up for Ethan.
“No, I will not leave.”
“Hugo, I have no time for this.”
“I am not giving in. I will speak with Ethan and I will make sureyouare not getting embarrassed.”
“I’m not sure I like this version of you, Hugo. Rebellion does not become you.”
“I’ve been working so hard to become like you without realizing the level of self-loathing and despair it would create. I think I knew, ultimately I did, but I kept on going, having given too much already.”
“I’m sorry you had a life full of money, power and women. What a sad life it must have been,” he added mockingly.
I shook my head. He could not understand the emptiness of it all because he had not seen the other side; he had not met someone like Ava or experienced what it was like to be an outsider looking in.
“I will make sure that any scandal that may explode is one that you and our peers will approve of.”
My father nodded. “Don’t make me come back and have another discussion with you.”
I simply looked at him, my eyes unwavering and challenging. Normally I would have reminded myself that I was the CEO now. I was a grown man not looking for his father's approval and whatever threat he was throwing my way was a waste of time. It was not like he could step back into my seat; not when I'd taken our empire and made it even bigger than it ever was.
But I was done with the theatrics and empty discussions. I had to find my brother and try a new tactic because apparently, he had more balls than I thought.
After my father left, I went to sit in the corridor to wait for Ethan and called the housekeeper of my estate, giving her the details of Dr. Klessner's office to make sure everything would be ready for when Ava moved in.
It was no longer a question ofif, it was a done deal.
As soon as the swing doors at the end of the corridor opened revealing Ethan, I stormed toward him and unceremoniously grabbed him by the arm, pulling him into the first room I found, thankful that it was unoccupied.
I pushed him with irritation as I let him go.
He took a few steps back and I cursed myself. It was probably not the best way to start mending our barely existing relationship.
“What the fuck is your problem?”
“You are!” I barked, pointing a finger at him. “Father came here. What did you do, Ethan?”
He straightened up and despite the resignation in his eyes, he smiled.
“Ah, what did you think of that masterstroke, huh?” His smile turned almost sadistic. “You’d said it many times yourself—I’d never get Father’s interest or respect no matter what, so it was better to burn it to the ground.”
"Back off, Ethan," I warned coldly. "I don't know what you're aiming for here, but if you are doing it to punish me, I need to remind you that Ava is not a toy."
"Are you telling me I'm the one toying with her?" Ethan scoffed, pointing at his chest. "She is my best friend. We’ve been each other’s anchors for years. Who was the one who willingly dragged her into his world to torture and break her?"
I had to force myself to keep my eyes locked on him and not look down at the anguish this cold truth caused me.
“I didn’t think she was that genui—”
“Oh, shut up, Hugo!” He threw his hands up in exasperation. “You, who’s always claiming to be so observant! You must have seen that she wears her heart on her sleeve. There is no way for this woman not to grow attached and you knew it."
I thought it was impossible for someone to be that good, that real. I thought she'd been playing me. But I just shook my head—how could I admit to my brother that my own self-righteousness had led me astray?
"And you know that I'm the best person to take care of her! As long as you stand in the way, as long as she thinks she can lean on you… " I paused, trying to maintain some semblance of control. "As long as you're in the picture, there is no chance for me to fix things, do you understand? I have her best interests at heart–even you can't deny that!"