Julian's POV
My room looked like a war zone. Drawers half-open and books on the floor.
The ashtray on my desk was already full, but I still lit another cigarette, letting the smoke curl around me as if it could smother the anger burning through my veins.
Her words wouldn't leave my head. "Unlike your mother who abandoned her family."
I let out a bitter laugh that didn't sound like me.
"Abandoned her family," I muttered under my breath, crushing the cigarette into the tray. "She has no fucking idea."
A knock came at the door. I ignored it but it came again, firmer this time.
"Julian," Gabriel's voice came from the other side. "Can I come in?"
I didn't answer, but the door creaked open anyway. He stepped inside, his eyes scanning the mess before settling on me.
"The hell, what happened here?"
"What do you think?" I snapped.
He sighed, closing the door quietly behind him. "You know you started all this."
"Don't start."
Gabriel leaned against the wall, arms crossed. He looked exhausted, but his voice stayed calm, like he was trying to defuse a bomb. "I came to check on you. You stormed out like you were ready to kill someone."
"I should've," I muttered, flicking ash into the tray.
"Julian." His tone sharpened. "She didn't mean it."
That made me laugh. "Oh, she meant it. You saw her face, didn't you? She couldn't wait to spit it out."
"She was angry," he argued. "Everyone was. You pushed her too far."
"So what, you're defending her now?" I turned toward him, the smoke curling from my lips.
He didn't back down. "No. I'm here for you. You're my brother, remember?"
I looked away, with my jaw tight.
He sighed again, stepping closer. "You can't keep doing this every time Dad or Catherine say something. You're going to end up—"
I cut him off, my voice low but steady. "I don't need a therapist, Gabriel. Especially not one who spends half his time defending the enemy."
Gabriel's brow furrowed. "They are not enemies, we are a family."
I scoffed. "Wow. Just wow."
He opened his mouth to annoy me more, but I was already moving. I grabbed my car keys off the dresser, brushing past him.
"Julian, where are you going?"
I didn't look back. "Far from you all."
"Don't do anything stupid," he warned.
I stopped just long enough to give him a half-smirk. "If I remain here, I definitely will."
I walked out, leaving him standing there.
By the time I got into my car, the air outside felt cooler, but it did nothing to ease the noise in my head. I pulled out my phone and dialed the one person who could understand me better.
Ethan picked up on the second ring. "Yo."
"Are you up for drinks?" I said.
He didn't hesitate. "Same spot?"
"Yeah. Ten minutes."
I hung up before he could say anything else.
When I reached the bar, Ethan was already there, leaning on the counter with two glasses waiting.
"Damn," he said when he saw me. "You look like hell."
"Good," I muttered, taking the seat beside him and grabbing the drink. "Means I match how I feel."
He studied me carefully. "Let me guess. Daddy drama again?"
I let out a low laugh. "You could say that."
He took a sip from his glass. "What happened this time?"
"They're going on a honeymoon."
Ethan raised a brow. "You're mad about that?"
I swirled the drink in my hand, watching the liquid spin.
"He never took my mother anywhere. Not once. She begged for years, and he always said he was too busy but now, he suddenly has time. Funny, isn't it?"
Ethan stayed quiet, letting me vent.
"He parades that woman around like some trophy," I continued with a sharp tone. "And the rest of us? We're supposed to smile and clap like a damn audience."
Ethan nodded slowly. "Sounds like the usual family circus."
I snorted. "You have no idea."
He tilted his head. "I can tell it's not just about that though. There's something else."
I hesitated, taking a long drink before answering. "There's Catherine too."
His brows rose. "Ah. The golden girl."
"I hate her," I said, the words heavy.
Ethan's expression didn't change. "I know but what'd she do this time?"
"She insulted my mother," I said, my voice dropping lower. "She said she abandoned her family."
Ethan let out a low whistle. "Shit."
"Yeah," I muttered. "She doesn't know a damn thing, but she talks like she does and everyone just…" I stopped, shaking my head. "I'm done letting them talk. All of them."
Ethan leaned back in his seat with thoughtful eyes. Then, slowly, a smirk formed. "Then make them regret it."
I looked at him. "How?"
He shrugged. "I told you before but it seems like you've forgotten. I'll do you the honor of reminding you."
I didn't say anything, but I was listening.
"Ruin the perfect family picture your father displays everywhere," he continued, his tone casual but sharp.
"Use Catherine. Make her fall for you. Play the doting stepbrother, then when she's hooked, we leak photos, videos, or whatever it takes and boom! The mayor's reputation goes down the drain."
I stared at him, my fingers tapping against the glass.
Ethan grinned. "Two birds, one stone. You humiliate your father, and she gets what she deserves by having her heart broken."
The idea was dark and tempting. I leaned back, exhaling slowly. My anger was still there, but now it had a purpose.
"Make her fall for me," I repeated quietly.
Ethan nodded. "Exactly. No fists, no shouting. Just control. You're good at that."
A slow smile curved my lips, one that didn't feel nice at all. "Yeah," I said. "I am."
He chuckled. "Now that's the Julian I know."
I finished my drink, letting the burn settle in my chest. "I'm done playing nice."
Ethan raised his glass. "To payback?"
I clinked mine against his. "To payback."