After He Became My Brother-in-Law Chapter 08
Leanna’s POV
That day, I tuned out Christopher’s begging and left with Garrett.
Garrett had a dark bruise on his chest.
I felt awful about it and couldn’t stop apologizing, but he just comforted me, insisting it was nothing and that he was completely fine.
He was also considerate enough not to pry into what had just gone down between Christopher and me.
He simply told me to let him know if I ever needed anything.
As he spoke, his bright, expressive eyes locked onto mine with deep earnestness.
For a split second, his gaze completely threw me off guard.
To dodge Christopher, I holed up in my room, while Adeline gave the staff strict orders to ban him from the dorm.
Two days later, Estrella knocked on my door.
She leaned casually against the frame, haughtily fanning herself with her slender fingers before launching into her pitch.
“Look, Christopher did me a favor,” she said.
“He wants me to bring you to him.
“You know the Rowlett family is struggling financially right now.
Do me a solid, will you?”
I stayed quiet, totally torn over what to do.
But Estrella didn’t wait for an answer – she just grabbed me and dragged me along.
Clearly worried I might make a run for it, she talked non-stop the entire drive over.
“Anna, it’s just a meeting.
Nothing bad is going to happen.
“Think back to when we were kids – I had your back plenty of times, right?
“I even warned you right from the start that he wasn’t a good guy.
“Don’t sweat it.
If he won’t let things go later, I’ll step in and handle it for you.”
I looked down at her hand clamped around my arm and gave a soft murmur of agreement.
Truthfully, I didn’t resent Estrella for taking the fake credit for saving Christopher.
If anything, I was actually a little glad it gave her the leverage she needed to get his help.
I honestly didn’t think claiming the credit myself would have changed how things ended between Christopher and me anyway.
His kindness had always been superficial and conditional.
And Estrella, for all her selfish motives, had never actually hurt me.
Back when we were kids at the orphanage, her knack for charming people brought me a lot of perks.
When we got older, she even publicly claimed me in the press as her lookalike, saying she treated me like a younger sister she needed to protect.
Thanks to that, I bypassed a lot of the usual hardships on film sets.
I also understood why she banned me from telling anyone we were biological sisters.
The Rowletts were incredibly strict, and her life over the years hadn’t been as easy as I’d imagined.
Back when I was completely blinded by my romance, she was the one dropping harsh truths, constantly trying to talk me into leaving him.
I held zero resentment toward her.
Our blood tie helped me see the messy, complicated love she had for me in all those small, easily missed moments.
I let her pull me wherever she needed to go, and I smiled as I called out to her.
“Daphne Whitmore.”
She froze for a second, then hurried her pace, tossing back a single reply.
“Don’t call me that.
“I’m the daughter of a wealthy family and a huge international star now – Estrella Rowlett!”
Estrella brought me to a private estate.
Christopher was waiting in the courtyard, right in front of a massive flower garden.
When he spoke, his smile was heavy with affection.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“I bought this estate, and I want you to have it.
“Every single flower here is special.
I had them plant every domestic and foreign variety that can actually survive this climate, just for you.
“From now on, I’ll bring you out here to stay for a bit every year.
“As for the marriage – once we’re back in Chicago, I’ll ask the elders from both families to call off the engagement.
“Lea, I’ll do whatever you want, just forgive me.
“Name your price.
“Please, just forgive me!”
I stood rooted at the entrance, refusing to take a single step further inside.
I had to admit, the flowers were in full bloom and looked absolutely stunning.
But I didn’t like those flowers.
I didn’t even look at Christopher.
I just kept my voice quiet.
“Mr. Prestley, it’s too late!”
Christopher’s eyes instantly went red.
He closed the distance between us impulsively, grabbing my hand, his voice hoarse.
“Why would you say it’s too late?”
I finally tilted my head up and looked him dead in the eye.
“Because I loved you for years.
“And I haven’t loved you for years, either.
“It’s simply too late.”
Christopher tightened his grip on my hand, his jaw clenching tight.
He stared at me, visibly frustrated.
“Lea, don’t push me.”
For once, I actually smiled at him.
“Mr. Prestley, this is San Francisco, not your territory.
“I’m not the little girl I was nine years ago.
“So please, don’t push me, either.”
