Page 30 of Crushing On Bestie's Billionaire Brother

I grit my teeth, my voice laced with disappointment. "I've tried, Stephen. Countless times. But you've been shutting me out. That’s why I have to corner you like this, remember?"

He rubs his temples, his voice strained. "Chloe, it's not that simple. I've been questioning everything—us, our connection, and your true intentions. Jonathan said—"

"Jonathan said?” I cut him off, my voice sharp and filled with hurt. “So, you've been listening to him? Don't you see, Stephen? He's the one with secrets, with ulterior motives. I've discovered emails between him and an agent from the whistleblower's company. They discuss compensation, Stephen. He's the one planning to leak the whistleblower's identity, not me."

He opens his mouth, but the words get caught in his throat. For a brief moment, I catch a glimpse of vulnerability in his eyes before he quickly masks it with resignation.

"I need time," he finally whispers, his voice barely audible.

Time. Another word from the coward’s repertoire. I step back, my resolve hardening.

"Take all the time you need, Stephen," I say in my most brittle tone. "But remember, while you're figuring things out, I won't be waiting forever."

As I turn and walk away, tears still streaming down my face, I can feel the weight of our fight, the rift widening between us. But deep down, an idiotic part of me hopes that one day, Stephen will find the courage to confront his fears and to choose us over his doubts.

Just then, my phone vibrates in my hand, startling me. It's a call from Victoria. The timing couldn't be more surreal, as if she has somehow sensed the turmoil within me. I take a deep breath, composing myself before answering.

"Hey, Vic," I greet her, my voice still carrying traces of sadness.

"Chloe, sweetheart, I heard from Tiffany that you've been going through some tough times at work. Is everything okay?" Victoria's voice is filled with genuine concern.

I let out a sigh, grateful for her support even from a distance. "It's been a difficult time, Vic. I- I could really use someone to talk to."

There's a pause on the other end, and I can almost picture my sister’s thoughtful expression. "Why don't we meet up, just the two of us? I want to be there for you, Chloe. Let's find a quiet place where we can have a heart-to-heart."

Her words warm my soul and I reply, "That sounds perfect, Vic. I would love to see you."

We decide on a quaint coffee shop in the heart of the city, a place where we have hung out several times over coffee and croissants. I take a deep breath, hoping that this meeting will provide the clarity and comfort I desperately need.

When I arrive at the coffee shop, Victoria is already waiting for me. My sister has always been an ethereal beauty—slim, sinewy, with straight blonde hair and warm green eyes. Today she’s dressed in wide-legged jeans and an off-shoulder sweater that makes her look like an elvish princess.No wonder Jonathan is still stuck on her, I think wryly.

As soon as she spots me, she rises from her seat and pulls me towards her in a warm embrace. Her soft arms feel like home, a safe harbor amidst the storm.

We settle into a cozy corner, our voices hushed as we dive into the mess that is my life right now. I share with Victoria the challenges I've faced at work, the growing tension between Stephen and me, and the recent discovery about Jonathan's involvement in the whistleblower issue. With each word, I feel a weight lifting from my shoulders, the burden slowly dissipating as I let myself be vulnerable with my sister.

Victoria listens attentively, her eyes filled with empathy. "Chloe, I've always admired your strength and resilience," she says, her voice filled with sisterly pride. "But it's important to remember that you don't have to face everything alone. You have people who care about you, who are here to support you."

I nod. "I know, Vic. But you know me; I always need to prove that I’m capable on my own."

“Yes, always the warrior who jumps into the fray without thinking twice,” Vic jokes and ruffles my hair.

“Of course!” I reply in a light voice. “The Elvish Princess must have only the bravest warriors of the land guarding her at all times.” We both lapse into fits of laughter as I evoke the childhood game we used to play all the time. Our conversation drifts from work troubles to our shared memories as we devour dainty cups of freshly brewed coffee.

Soon, curiosity gnaws at me, and I gather the courage to broach a topic that has been lingering in the back of my mind. "Victoria, I've heard rumors about why you left Jonathan . . . Is it true that it was because he wasn't wealthy enough?"

Victoria's eyes widen slightly, perhaps in disappointment that I too might think of her as a gold digger. She takes a moment, gathering her thoughts, before responding. "Chloe, I can understand why you might have heard such rumors, but they are far from the truth. Jonathan's lies have even clouded your perception of our past."

I lower my gaze, feeling a pang of regret for even bringing it up. "I'm sorry, Vic. I didn't mean to dredge up painful memories."

She reaches out, gently placing a hand on mine. "No, Chloe, it's all right. I want you to understand the real reason. Jonathan's obsession with wealth and status did play a part in our separation, but it went much deeper than that. He cared more about having a beautiful girlfriend, a trophy to show off, than he did about me as a person."

I feel a mix of sadness and anger welling up inside me, both for my sister's past pain and for the way Jonathan's actions have continued to impact our lives even now.

Victoria continues, her voice steady but filled with a hint of resolve. "I wanted someone who loved me for who I am, someone who cherished our connection beyond material possessions. That's when I met my husband, and I realized what true love and genuine companionship felt like."

Tears glisten in my eyes as I look at Victoria, seeing her strength and the resilience that helped her find happiness.

She smiles softly, her love for me evident in her gaze. "You're my sister, Chloe. We all make mistakes, but what matters is how we learn from them and grow stronger. Don't let Jonathan's manipulation define your self-worth or influence your decisions."

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