Chapter 5

The force of the blow dazed me. I stumbled back, staring at him in utter disbelief.

Suppressing my anger, I growled, "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Ethan, let's be honest here. The day you introduced Chloe to me, I fell in love with her at first sight."

"You didn't appreciate her, so don't blame me for taking her."

"That punch was for Chloe. As of today, we are no longer brothers!"

Hearing his words, the last of my patience snapped.

I demanded coldly, "Tyler, do you even hear yourself?!"

We had known each other for years. Whenever one of us was in trouble, the other would drop everything to help.

We went hiking together, got wasted together, and shared everything.

He was the only true brother I had in this world.

I never imagined we would throw away our brotherhood over a woman—especially a snake like Chloe.

I was furious, but I tried to keep a shred of sanity.

I figured he just didn't know Chloe's true colors yet, which was why he was acting like this.

So, even at this point, I tried to reason with him.

But Tyler just looked at me with pure disgust.

He sneered, "Ethan, cut the holy-act. You're just pissed because I got the million dollars and you didn't."

"I've been sick of your arrogant attitude for years. Why do you always get better grades than me? Why do you get a better job? And why did you get a hot girlfriend like Chloe?!"

So, that was how he really felt about me all this time.

I suddenly found myself speechless. The urge to save him evaporated.

Still, I couldn't help but ask one last time.

"If keeping that million dollars means you'll lose your life, are you still not afraid?"

He let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Yeah, I'm not afraid. Now, can you get the hell out of my sight?"

With that, he walked out of the room, leaving me behind.

I knew he didn't believe a word I said. But I had no way of proving it to him right now.

When I walked out of the restaurant, I saw the two of them embracing in the distance.

More than the sting of my ex moving on, it was the betrayal of my best friend that cut deep.

But I only watched from afar. I didn't run over to pull them apart like I did earlier.

Though I was deeply disappointed in Tyler, I still couldn't completely shut off my conscience and watch him walk into a death trap.

I returned home, feeling empty. Just as I was agonizing over how to expose Chloe’s scheme, Tyler suddenly showed up at my apartment.

He was holding a bunch of expensive gifts—high-end whiskey, gaming gear, and designer clothes.

I frowned, but before I could speak, he threw an arm around my shoulder.

"Ethan, man, I lost my head the other day. But I really, truly love Chloe. Can you please just let us be happy?"

"These are just to show I'm sorry. I'm sorry, brother. I was wrong!"

Seeing his seemingly sincere apology, my heart softened.

After all, we had years of history. You don't just throw that away overnight.

But it wasn't until Chloe showed up at my door a few days later that I realized I had been set up.