Page 8 of The Wrong Brother

He shifts in his seat, his gaze turning more intense, almost guarded. “Wow. You really have changed. Never thought I’d hear these words coming out of your mouth.”

This moment turns awkward, but I don’t allow it to stop me from making my point. “Paris does that to you,” I reply, letting the words hang in the air. The tension between us is thick, almost electric, and I can tell he’s struggling to reconcile this new version of me with the memories he has. He wants to keep the image of that girl he once knew, but now he’s faced with a woman who won’t let herself be seen that way anymore.

The city fades behind us, replaced by sprawling fields and winding roads as we approach the Jackson estate. When we finally pull up to the grand gates, he parks the car, but he doesn’t immediately get out. Instead, he turns to me, his gaze soft, yet filled with something new…something almost hesitant.

“I’m really happy you’re back today because we’re having a party tomorrow, and guess who’s now going to be the special guest of honor?”

This makes me smile.

“What was the party for?” I ask.

“No reason, just because…you know how I am. But now we definitely have a reason,” he says with a playful grin. “I can’t wait for everyone to see the new, stunning Jenny. Not the little sister who used to follow me around. My circle of friends knows you; you know. I used to say I have two brothers, you and Zack. They’ll be thrilled to see you again.”

I raise an eyebrow, refusing to let him get too comfortable with that old narrative. “I’m not your brother, Brett, or your sister.”

He laughs, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, not my brother or sister. My… hot model friend, then?”

His words send a shiver down my spine, but I keep my composure, my voice steady. “Not your friend either.”

He pauses, his gaze holding mine, a question lingering there. “Then… what are you?”

I lean in, letting my perfume drift between us, feeling the thrill of having his attention, of watching him question what he thought he knew.

“You’re being… flirty,” he says with a teasing smile. “You’ve never been flirty before.”

I shrug, smirk widening. “Maybe I have been, but you just didn’t notice?”

His eyes twinkle as they lower down to my cleavage and then back up to my face. “Maybe.”

Blushing, I lean away and push the door open. “I’ll be at the party. Can’t wait to see you.”

“Can’t wait to see you too,” he says.

With a final glance, I step out of the car, my heels clicking against the gravel as I make my way toward the grand doors of the estate. I can feel his eyes on me, watching every step, his fascination thick in the air between us. As soon as I’m inside, closing the door behind me, I lean back, letting the thrill of it all wash over me.

For the first time, he’s really seen me. And this… this is only the beginning.

Chapter

Seven

JENNY

As I make my way up to my room, my heart races with a mixture of anticipation and disbelief. I catch a glimpse of myself in the hallway mirror…flushed, breathless, and more alive than I’ve felt in ages. Brett’s reaction plays over in my mind, his shock and awe, the way he looked at me like he was seeing a stranger he couldn’t quite understand.

Inside my room, I set my bags down, taking in the familiar yet somehow distant surroundings. It’s strange being here again, knowing everything has changed…not just in me, but in how the people around me see me.

Moments later, I hear a knock at the door. It opens before I can respond, and in walks Mrs. Finnigan, the housekeeper who practically helped raise me. Her face breaks into a warm smile, her eyes lighting up as she takes in the sight of me.

“Jenny! Oh, look at you!” she exclaims, pulling me into a tight hug. “Paris did wonders for you, didn’t it?”

I laugh, hugging her back, feeling a wave of nostalgia and comfort. “It’s good to see you too, Mrs. Finnigan. I missed you.”

She steps back, her eyes glistening with pride and perhaps a hint of awe. “We all missed you, dear. You’re like family to us, you know.” She glances around, as if expecting someone, then adds, “Everyone else will be here in a moment. They’ve been so eager to see you back.”

True to her word, the staff I grew up around trickles in…Mr. Collins the butler, Auntie Mae the cook, and a few of the maids. They all greet me with smiles, kind words, and small tokens…a scarf, a little journal, a piece of chocolate…all things that remind me of home. Their warmth fills the room, melting away any lingering nerves.

Once everyone has said their goodbyes and left me with my gifts, I turn to unpack my luggage. I’m already thinking ahead, imagining tomorrow night, the thrill of walking down the grand staircase, of seeing Brett’s face light up when he sees me dressed to impress.

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