Page 50 of Fated with my Ex's Brother

towards me happily.

"It looks nice," I say without looking at the drawing. "I have to go." I

bend down, kissing her on her forehead. "1ye, Octavia," I say as I dash

out of their home.

I get into my car and drive oq.

While leaving their driveway, I see Isabel and Octavia standing

outside, staring at my car as I exit.

Numb, I drive around town for a while, trying to gather myself

together. 1ut nothing is working.

I'm restless and confused; my thoughts are a jumbled mess. Everything is just so unclear.

I give up the hope that driving will help and head straight home.

Isabel has left me two messages. I ignore them both.

I go straight to my bedroom and scream into my pillow.Why did my brother have to sleep with her?

This is not how my story with Isabel should be.

Xy insides feel like they’ve been yanked out of me. I’m di55y and

nauseous. It fucking hurts!

Chapter Twelve Isabel

"Mina, I don't know what to do anymore. He is not answering my calls or responding to my texts," I cry out to Mina over the phone. "I don't know what I did wrong. He isn't talking to me. I even went as far as showing up at his house this morning, but he won't let me in."

"That's strange," Mina exclaims. "What happened? Did you Nght or even have a little disagreement?" she asks.

"Fot that I know of. He came here on Yriday, and we had a good time. Oesterday, he and Lctavia had their usual playdate. It was all good until I had to get him from the bathroom because he had been there for an unusually long time. I was worried, so I went to check on him. It took a lot of time before he eventually came out of the bathroom. When he did, he showed me a picture of …ouisj"

"j Lctavia's dad?" Mina cuts in.

"Oesj the only picture I have of him," I reply.

"Where did he get it?" she asks again.

"I guess from the closetj that's not the point, Mina. He Eust stared at me the whole time without saying anything. It was as if he saw a ghost. I had to explain that the man in the picture was Lctavia's dad, and I wasn't in contact with him. I didn't even know his whereabouts. He still didn't say anything. The only words that escaped his mouth were that he was sorry and needed to leave," I Nll Mina in.

"What could have triggered him?" Mina asks.

00! HB…BF U…1MB

"I don't know. I asked him several times what was wrong, but he didn't give me any information. He Eust grabbed his bags and left. I haven't heard from him since," I said with a twinge of pain.

"Wow’ That's tough. Do you think maybe he knows …ouis? Maybe that's why he reacted that way?" she asks.

"I don't know, Mina. I don't know. …ouis did say he was from D.C., so I guess therePs a possibility they knew each other. However, D.C. is a huge city, so the chances canPt be very good." Tears begin to fall in my eyes. "What am I supposed to do? I'm scared, Mina."

"Hey, girl. Don't cry. Jleasej we will Nx this. *ust give it timej He will be back," she assures.

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