After He Became My Brother-in-Law Chapter 05
Third Person POV
Christopher stood staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows, his face unreadable.
The flat, endless beep of the disconnected ringback only fueled his anger with every passing second.
He’d originally planned to spend the night at Estrella’s party.
Instead, he’d just found out Leanna’s agency was forcing her to terminate her contract.
The news made his temples throb.
He couldn’t wrap his head around her stup1dity.
How could she just take that blatant mistreatment without fighting back at all?
He was so furious he completely forgot Estrella was resting her head on his shoulder.
He immediately called the agency’s director, outraged by their audacity.
Christopher demanded the director apologize to Leanna in person right away.
He threatened to bankrupt the entire company if they refused.
The director panicked instantly.
He rambled nervously, admitting Christopher’s own people were the ones who 0rdered the termination.
Before Christopher could demand answers, Estrella took the phone from his hand and hung it up.
She smiled, kissed his cheek, and told him to call Leanna first.
“She’s upset right now,” she murmured. “She’s probably crying. Don’t leave her hurting for too long.”
Still trying to process the mess, he listened and dialed her number.
He never expected Leanna to act so ungrateful.
She’d shut him out cold. She’d called him “Mr. Prestley” like he was a stranger, said she was done with acting, and even dared to question his intentions.
Her attitude lit a fire in him.
Instead of calming him down, she poured gasoline all over their fight, snapping that she refused to be his mistress any longer.
Christopher’s first thought was why she’d ever labeled herself that way to begin with.
Then his pride kicked in — she had no right to make demands of him, not ever.
He’d told her to leave.
To his utter shock, she’d packed her bags and walked out that same night without a second thought. She’d even hung up on him mid-call.
Now, staring at the quiet, empty apartment, he was consumed by pure frustration and rage.
He couldn’t understand it. This woman had stayed quiet and obedient for nine years.
How could she walk out on their life together over one stup1d fight?
He even started blaming himself, wondering if he’d spoiled her too much over the years.
His phone buzzed. Two texts from Estrella popped up one after another, reminding him to take his hangover meds and go to bed early.
Her thoughtfulness dulled his temper a little.
He truly cared for Estrella. She was beautiful, graceful, and came from an impeccable family.
In his eyes, she was infinitely above Leanna — a poor, timid orphan girl.
Most importantly, Estrella had saved his life.
Years ago, when he was a kid, he’d snuck off to a river during a charity event with his parents and fallen in.
Estrella was just a little girl back then, but she’d pushed past her fear, jumped in, and dragged him to shore through her tears.
To thank her, he’d given her a twenty-thousand-dollar ring.
They didn’t cross paths again for years, until a banquet hosted by the Rowlett family.
That’s when he learned the Rowletts had adopted the little girl who saved him and renamed her Estrella Rowlett.
She remembered him, but said she’d lost the ring long ago.
Christopher hadn’t cared one bit. He’d been instantly drawn to her.
He’d chased her for years, even when she kept turning him down.
Eventually, the Rowletts ran into financial trouble and arranged her marriage to him.
After that, Christopher’s life fell perfectly into place.
All except for one thing — Leanna.
On the surface, she’d always seemed totally obedient.
But deep down, she had her own will.
He couldn’t deny he treated Leanna differently.
What he had with her was nothing like what he felt for Estrella.
Somewhere along the way, he’d realized the truth.
He could go days without talking to Estrella, but he couldn’t stand Leanna ignoring him for even a second.
He only felt at peace when he knew exactly what she was doing.
Somehow, unexplainably, he’d grown completely dependent on having her around.
When he’d told her to leave, he’d only been lashing out in anger.
But Leanna had taken his words seriously.
The thought made his head throb.
He sank onto the couch and lit a cig.
Amid the hazy sm0ke, the lighter’s quick flame glinted off something metallic sitting on the coffee table.
Christopher glanced over casually.
And froze.
The cig slipped out of his fingers, sparking across the floor.
Sitting there plain and clear on the table was the ring he’d given that little girl by the river.
The exact ring Estrella swore she’d lost forever.
