Chapter 23 Addison The shock that settled across Mrs Carter's face is unlike anything I can describe . Her face , which was previously twisted in rage , contoured into stark shock as she looked Zane up and down , almost like she couldn't believe her eyes . " Z- Zane ... " she whispered slowly , her eyes still blown wide . I could feel the warmth of Zane's body seep into my body from where I was pressed into his side . Once again , like last night , he had come in to defend me . I felt embarrassed just thinking about the fact that he has had to defend me so much in such a short period , which might definitely make me seem like a weakling , but I'm definitely not . " Hello , mother . How have you been ? " Zane responded easily , his voice indifferent . It wasn't cold but it wasn't warm either . Mrs. Carter's eyes widened even more as she looked from him to Marco , then back to Zane as she finally spoke . " W- what are you doing here ? " I frowned slowly , wondering if that was how she was supposed to greet her son . Zane hasn't hugged her when he arrived minutes ago as well , making me wonder what kind of relationship this family shares . " I'm here to support my brother on his wedding day , but isn't that already a given ? " Zane drawled through a small chuckle , then he tugged me closer . When I glanced up at his face , our eyes met for a moment and the chilling coldness I met in there has a gasp catching in my throat . " I- we didn't know you were invited . Marco , did you invite him ? " She responded , still looked shocked and completely caught off guard . Marco stepped forward , going around to stand beside his mother as he shook his head . " No , mother . He showed up unannounced. " Marco responded , his eyes locked with Zane , and the coldness in his eyes was very sharp . " Clearly I wasn't invited cause I don't need an invite to come support my little brother , cause that's already expected of me . " Zane drawled and Marco snorted . " No one expects anything of you , Zane . " Zane waved him off . " Anyways , I'm here to support you , and that's that . You can't send me away . " He pointed out and Marco gritted his teeth , clearly furious . I felt confused as I glanced between the two brothers , wondering what could be the reason why they were this hostile towards each other . 1/5 11:52 Wed , 3 Sept A 49 Chapter 23 Mrs Carter seems to have finally recovered from her shock as she cleared her throat then pointed towards me . " What is she doing here though ?! " " She's my girlfriend , mother . You just insulted her and you should apologize . " I watched as Mrs Carter's face reddened as she sputtered in rage . " What ? Apologize to this wrench ? " I flinched a little , feeling myself returning to the girl I was five years ago who had broken down after receiving a verbal lashing from her about my appearance and family background . " She's not a wrench . And yes , apologise to her . You were very rude to her , and insultive on top of that . As her boyfriend , I took offense , so apologies . " His voice was hard this time and once again , Mrs Carter spluttered . " This woman is definitely here to ruin this wedding ! Why should I- " she was speaking when Zane cut her off , his voice sharp . " Do it . Did she do something to you ? She's only here to support Marco as his friend , and she's also here as my date since she's my girlfriend . So , apologize . " " How can you talk to your mother like this ? " Mrs Carter finally cried out , and I watched as Marco wrapped his arms around his mother's shoulder and tugged her against his chest . " Zane , stop speaking to her like that ! Apologize ! " Zane scoffed . " The fuck ? Why ? Just because I asked her to apologize to Addison ? She insulted her by all what she implied so she needs to apologize . " Marco rolled his eyes . " She doesn't need to apologize , Addison didn't even pick offense , right Addison ? " They all faced me and I struggled for what to say . I didn't want to let Marco down , but an apology from his mother would definitely be nice . " - " I was still speaking when Zane cut me off . " What Addison wants doesn't matter . As her boyfriend , I demand an apology . " At this point , Mrs Carter had managed to tear herself out of Marco's grip and was pointing a hand between myself and Zane . " Wait , did you really mean it when you said she was your girlfriend ? " She cried out , then she laughed while shaking her head . 2/5 +23 Chapter 23 " Can't you really see that she's clearly after the family's money ?? " She continued , crackling loudly . " Stop speaking nonsense , mother ." Zane snapped but she ignored him . " She has no money , she's definitely with you for the family's money . Look at this dress she's clad in , it's the latest Gucci collection and I'm certain she roped you into getting it for her , cause she definitely can't afford it herself . " She continued and I felt a wave of mortification come over every inch of my body just as she continued . " If she's really your girlfriend and not your latest toy , you should discard her either way . Someone willing to jump between two brothers like her is beyond disgusting . She'll end up stealing all your money at the end . " " Since when did you start caring for me this much , mother ? " Zane murmured after a few moments Mrs Carter seemed to be at a loss of what to say at first before she got herself together . " I- I always cared about you , Zane . It's you who hates following rules . And you should know disobeying rules comes with consequences ." Zane snorted beside me while Marco nodded beside his mother . " Whatever , just apologize to my girlfriend ." Mrs Carter squared her jaw , her gaze sharp with after . " I'll never do that . If you chose to still be with her , that's your choice . However , do us all a favor and keep an eye on the wrench . You must ensure she doesn't try to ruin the wedding . " She bit out sharply , glaring at Zane . " Mrs Carter , I'm really only here to support Marco ." I finally breathed out but she gave me a sharp , icy glare . Usually it would make me instantly cower , but I refused to back down , holding her sharp gaze with mine till she scoffed and looked away . " What else were you gonna say anyway ? " She snapped through an eyeroll . Marco put his arm across his mother's shoulders again as he finally spoke . " Mother , I don't think Addison can do that . She's just here to support me . " His mother looked up at him before finally signing and nodding . " Alright . " I let out a scoff of disbelief , feeling extremely angry cause again Marco chose to finally speak up after the issue had gotten so dragged out , and over the fact that she seemed to finally agree after Marco spoke , but completely ignored all what Zane had been saying since . It shows that Marco was definitely the favorite child . Although they didn't look alike , they had the same eyes and smile , but while Marco had brown hair , his mother had blonde hair . 3/5 11:52 Wed , 3 Sept Chapter 23 @ .49 % & I still remained tense , my heart still pounding around in my chest till Mrs Carter finally left the kitchen , then I was finally able to breathe again . That entire exchange had felt so scary , and also humiliating on my part , but I was glad that at least the other guests of the couple hadn't witnessed it happening . I felt very grateful to Zane for defending me again when he definitely hadn't had to . The way he and his mother had interacted showed that they didn't get along , and I wondered if he'd tell me the reason if I ask him about it once we're alone . He didn't get along with Marco , or his mother . Does it mean that he and his entire family aren't on good terms ? I'm so damn curious . " You alright ? " Zane's voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I blinked up at him as I nodded , feeling entranced by his eyes which still has some coldness lingering in there . He reached down and cupped my face , his thumb slightly stroking my cheek and I felt myself melt against him a little . I completely forgot where we were in till Marco's voice pulled me back to the present , then I was blushing hard and glancing down at my feet , feeling my heart pounding against my ribs cause for a moment back there , I completely forgot that Zane asking if I was okay then stroking my face , was all an act for Marco . " Where are you two going ? " Marco asked , his eyes still hard as he grumbled out . " Oh , to a date . " I breathed out as I exhaled shakily . Truly , after this encounter with Mrs Carter , I didn't feel like going out anymore and wished to stay in so I could get a long sleep . " Why ? Aren't you two here to have together with the couple ? Which is myself and Aisha , so you aren't supposed to go out by yourselves ." He pointed out . " And besides , I have something important to reveal to you , Addison . " and he shrugged My eyes widened . " What's that ? " I blurted little . " It's truth from the past ." He revealed and my eyes widened , my he a wondered what that was about . my eyes widened , my heartbeat accelerating as I I was about to tell him that we could stay in , cause I was curious as hell right now . Before I could get the word out , Zane was speaking , his grip tightening on my shoulders as if signaling for me to remain silent . " I want to have a little fun with my girl , Marco . I wanna show her around and all . After we return , we'll all hang out with you and your fiancée . " Marco scowled at Zane . " Selfish as usual , Zane . " Zane chuckled easily . " Well , you learn to be selfish when you have something you wanna seize . And 4/5 11:52 Wed , 3 Sept A Chapter 23 49 % D +23 ) no man is born selfish , he's forced to learn that skill as a survival trait , lest he perishes in the claws of monsters . " I frowned as I looked between the two of them , feeling pretty sure that they were presently speaking about something else entirely . Before either of them could say something else , Aisha sauntered in . " Our mums just left , babe . " She said as she came around to stand beside Marco , glancing between the two brothers as well . Marco still had his eyes on Zane as he spoke . " You know what ? You're right . " He breathed out , his lips twitching , making him look very breathtaking right now . That was the exact person I fell for , that was always smirking back in school . He was stil staring at Zane as he spoke to Aisha . " Babe , what do you think of a joint date with Zane and his girlfriend ? " Aisha grinned without hesitation , her eyes falling on Zane to briefly check him out before she nodded vigorously . " That sounds fun ! " 田 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!