Chapter 1After He Graduated, His Brother Took Over

The week before New Year's Eve, I realized my boyfriend had become a different person. It wasn't just his habits that had changed; he seemed more mature, more grounded.

Even his hobbies were different. He was suddenly into artisanal teas and wellness, no longer obsessed with extreme sports.

In bed, he was… reserved. Almost disciplined. Never greedy.

I thought he'd finally grown up, that he was ready to settle down with me and build a future, done with the usual parade of party girls.

But then I came home early to surprise him for his birthday and overheard him on the phone.

"Bro, just keep Aria steady for a little while longer. I'll be back in a bit. Thanks for covering for me."

My boyfriend's voice replied, "It's fine. By the way, what brand of condoms do you usually use? I think Aria is allergic to everything I've tried."

Hearing that, my breath hitched. So, the changes weren't my imagination. Without me knowing, my boyfriend’s twin brother had quietly clocked in for his shift.

* * *

The voice on the other end—Declan's voice—stuttered. "Bro, why are you asking that? We don't usually use them. She's on the pill."

"Just curious," Rhys, the man in my apartment, replied.

"Is she giving you a hard time? Women are like that, always needy. Just ignore her. Give her the cold shoulder for a few days, and she'll fall in line." Even though Declan was confident his brother wouldn't be interested in me, a hint of unease crept into his voice. "Bro, maybe you should move out. The less you see her, the better. We can just coordinate online. Sloane insisted I take this trip with her, and we’re still on the road."

Rhys’s voice was low. "I know."

I stood in the shadows, holding my breath. So, Declan was on a trip with Sloane.

It was almost funny. They swore there was nothing between them, that they were just "best friends." Yet he would rather have his twin brother live alone with his girlfriend than miss a secret vacation with Sloane.

The truth of it left my mind a blank slate. My first instinct was to flee, but in my haste, I bumped into the robotic vacuum cleaner on the floor.

The living room light flicked on.

Rhys’s eyes found me instantly.

My heart leaped into my throat. I forced myself to look at him, to really observe him. He was different from Declan. Rhys’s gaze was deep, unreadable. Declan’s eyes always had a mischievous glint, constantly calculating his next lie.

Just as I thought he was about to blow his cover, he simply said, "Is that cake for me?"

I lifted the box. Declan's name was written on it in frosted icing.

Before I could speak, he took it from my hands. "Thank you. I love it. I almost forgot it was my birthday."

Of course. They were twins. It was his birthday, too.

"Happy birthday," I heard myself say.

Rhys closed the distance between us and wrapped his arms around my rigid body, his lips gently brushing against mine.

I took a sharp breath. I didn't know when they'd switched, but in the time since, he and I had done… everything.

My heart hammered against my ribs. I fumbled in my pocket and pulled out his gift.

"For you."

It was a tie, a ridiculously expensive one. The color was bright, flashy—a color Declan loved, but one I doubted Rhys would ever choose for himself.

Yet he opened it without a change in expression, took my hand, and guided me to tie it around his neck. His large hand rested on the small of my back, his touch sending shivers through me as his eyes darkened with a familiar hunger.

"…"

Wait, wasn't this the guy who was into "wellness" and self-restraint?

The next thing I knew, he was carrying me into the bedroom, his kisses peppering my skin. He used the new tie to gently bind my wrists above my head. I started to struggle, but his next words stopped me cold.

"I took one of your birth control pills. So this time, you won't have a reaction."