In love with my Husband's Brother

ough my phone. I had been feeling numb and disconnected from the world

g, maybe we could grab dinner sometime?

I had agreed to marry, was asking me on a date. I felt a mix

a response. "Sure, Atlas. That so

s date would be like. Would it be awkward, or would we actually h

ow about tomorrow night? 7 pm at

s going to make the most of this situation, and maybe, jus

ut, sending the message bef

to wear for my date with Atlas. I settled on a simple black dress

st into my room. "Maureen, what are you doing?

tion was coming. "Emily, I've m

now him!" Emily protested,

this. For my grandmother's sake, and for

on, Maureen. You deserve so much better than some ar

nerves. "I'll cross that bridge when I

. "I just don't want to see you get hurt, Ma

concern. "I know, Emily. Bu

d tell she was still worrie

sense of resolve.

shed getting ready for my date with Atlas

I had spent hours getting ready, trying to look my best for this da

she said, leading me to a

es enjoying their meals. I felt a pang of nervousness, won

15 minutes turned into 30, and 30 turned into 45. I checked my ph

around the restaurant, but I couldn't shake off the feeli

ong enough. I asked the hostess to call me a ca

bothered asking me out if he had no intention of showing up. And

had let my guilt and determination cloud my judgment

ation. I couldn't believe Atlas had stood me up without even both

but my mind was racing. Who did he think he was, anyway? Did he

the times I had made excuses for his behavior. And this was h

illing to overlook his flaws because of my guilt and determinatio

done with Atlas, done with this whole arrangement. I deserved better

aled Emily's number, ready to ve

night when I heard a knock at the door. I groaned, th

hocked to see Atlas standing there,

s pleading for forgiveness. "I know I sto

stration came flooding back. "What are you doing here, Atlas?" I

r me out. I was in a meeting that ran late, and I couldn't get out of it. I d

eptical. "A meeting? At

but it was an emergency meeting with some investors. I could

still angry, but another part was relieved that he

. "But next time, just let me know what's go

the living room. I could see the exhaustion etched

im. And I knew I had to be careful, because my heart

ing in the familiar surroundings. "Listen, Maureen, I know I messed up tonight. But I want

. But a part of me was curious, and another part was hungry

ners. "Your favorite - Italian. I had it ca

essed despite myself. "Yo

esearch, Maureen. I wa

tart over, to see if we could actually connect. "Okay, fine.

I promise, Maureen. Just dinner

e left my apartment and headed to his car, I couldn't

mansion that looked like it belonged in a

ing in the living room, looking just a

other, Nicolas," Atlas

he man I had a one-night stand with just

ted, my voice bare

did, his eyes darting between me and Atl

een us. "Yeah, Nicolas is my younger broth

I couldn't believe that the man I had a sec

, gesturing to the dinn

ook a seat next to Nicolas. Thi

d I tried to focus on what he was saying. But my attention kept drifting

sitting in front of me, acting like nothing had happened. I felt a flutter in

y about his business deal. But I couldn't shake off the feelin

rds, but my mind kept wandering back

g glances at Nicolas, trying to read his express

a dream, unable to wake up