Chapter 272: Two Warnings

Holly’s POV

He didn’t say anything further to clarify things…and I didn’t ask yet. I decided to let it go for now.

Lunch stretched on like it was trying to prove something.

We talked about everything and nothing…Justin’s latest playlist obsession, the new ramen place close to his apartment that was apparently life-changing, how he’d finally beaten that one boss in the game he used to play on Discord and how his neighbor has a huge crush on him.

I laughed in the right places. Nodded. Asked follow-up questions. But every time there was a lull, my brain looped right back to it.

“I bet your sister isn’t a murderer.”

The words kept replaying, low and muttered, like a glitch in the matrix I wasn’t supposed to catch.

I tried to focus on Justin’s face…the easy smile, the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed…but all I could see was David’s mouth on mine thirty minutes earlier, the way his hands had gripped me like I might disappear if he let go. And now this? Murderer? From his own brother?

By the time we paid the bill and stepped outside, I felt like I’d been holding my breath for an hour.

Justin walked me to the curb where I’d already called a cab.

The yellow taxi pulled up, tires hissing on the damp street. He reached for the door before I could, opening it with that gentlemanly flourish he always did.

I slid in, legs shaky, mind still spinning.

He leaned down, one hand on the roof of the car, blocking out the sun for a second.

“Holly.”

I looked up.

His expression had changed…soft edges gone, something serious and almost sad in his eyes.

“Don’t trust David, Holly. He’s my brother…but be careful around him. Okay?”

The words landed like a slap of cold water. Why? I opened my mouth to say something. But, nothing came out. So I just nodded.

He gave me one last long look, then shut the door gently.

The driver pulled away before I could even process what was going on.

I stared straight ahead, watching the city blur past the window, but seeing nothing.

Why?

Why were both of them telling me not to trust the other?

What the hell were they hiding?

David had warned me about Justin…said he looked at me differently, that he might try to sabotage things.

Justin had just flat-out told me to be careful with David.

Two brothers.

Both saying the same thing about each other.

My stomach twisted into knots. What have I done?

The cab ride felt endless and instantaneous at the same time. I didn’t even realize we’d stopped until the driver cleared his throat and tapped the partition.

“Ma’am? We’re here.”

I jerked like I’d been electrocuted.

“Right. Sorry.”

I paid with my phone, mumbled thanks, and stepped out onto the sidewalk outside the office building. The air felt too bright, too loud. I took one huge, shaky inhale, trying to pull myself together.

What the hell is going on exactly?

The elevator ride up was torture. I stared at my reflection in the mirrored wall…messy bun coming undone. I looked like someone who’d been kissed stupid and then emotionally sucker-punched in the same hour.

I stepped into the office, walked straight to my desk, and collapsed into the chair. Didn’t even glance toward his side of the office. Didn’t check if he was there. I just dropped my forehead onto the cool wood of the desk and closed my eyes.

Inside my head it was a full riot…

Murderer.

Don’t trust him.

Don’t trust him either.

What did David do?

What does Justin know?

Why are they both warning me?

Am I the idiot walking straight into whatever this is?

A sudden tap on the desk made me snap my head up so fast I almost gave myself whiplash.

Amber stood there, leaning one hip against the edge of my desk, holding two iced coffees and wearing the goofiest grin.

“Well, well, well. Someone’s back from lunch with the boyfriend, looking all dreamy and distracted.”

I managed a weak smile. “Not the boyfriend. Just… a friend.”

She raised both brows. “Uh-huh. Sure.”

I hesitated, then…on pure impulse…asked, “Amber, what would you do if you were caught between two brothers? One’s your friend, the other is… someone you’ve been chasing forever, and now he’s suddenly chasing you back. And both of them have individually warned you not to trust the other one. What would you do?”

She blinked. Then burst out laughing.

“Girl, I’d run. I’d run so fast they’d think I was training for the Olympics. Then I’d change my number, move to another city, and adopt a new identity. Maybe become a nun. Nuns don’t have to deal with hot, toxic brothers.”

I didn’t laugh. “I’m serious.”

Her smile faded. She set one of the coffees in front of me and sat on the edge of the desk properly.

“Okay. Serious answer.” She exhaled. “I’d keep both of them at arm’s length. Way at arm’s length. It sounds like there’s a whole avalanche of family trauma rolling downhill, and you do not want to be standing at the bottom when it hits. Protect your peace. Protect your heart. Do not get sucked into whatever sibling war they’ve got going on.”

I swallowed. “What if… the girl can’t stay away from the one she’s crazy about?”

Amber looked at me for a long second, then sighed like she’d seen this movie before.

“Then the girl has two options. Option one: she grows a spine and confronts the guy. Straight-up asks what the hell is going on, no dodging, no pretty words. Option two…” She smirked. “She buys a really good vibrator, some noise-cancelling headphones, and pretends the two brothers don't exist until the drama burns itself out.”

We both cracked up…real, helpless laughter that made my chest ache less for a minute. “I’m serious, Holly. Stay away from both brothers at all costs,” she added.

“Thanks,” I said quietly, although I know that’s not gonna happen.

She nudged my shoulder. “Anytime. So…who is this unlucky girl that is caught between two brothers? Spill.”

“Just a colleague from med school,” I lied smoothly.

Amber tilted her head. “Speaking of medicine… When are you going back? Or are you done with all that? If I remember correctly… you mentioned that you were exploring.”

I leaned back in the chair. “Actually, I’m done with this stage. I’ve got an internship coming up in about a month. I was thinking of quitting medicine altogether at one point…chase some crazy hobby instead…but nah. I love it too much. The blood, the chaos, treating people, actually making a difference… I’ve decided that I’m not walking away from that.”

“So what happens after the internship?” she asked.

“Residency. Matching into a program, probably three to seven years depending on the specialty. Then boards, maybe fellowship if I want to subspecialize. It’s a long road.”

Amber whistled. “Damn. And this break?”

“Supposed to be my resting period before internship starts. Like I told you before… I was just… trying something new. Seeing if corporate life could scratch the itch.”

She grinned. “And? Verdict?”

“I still love medicine more. I’ll be going home soon..”

“Where’s home for the internship?”

“L.A.,” I said. “I spoke to my sister last weekend. She’s already set everything up at the hospital she owns.”

Amber’s eyes went wide. “Wait. Your sister owns a hospital?”

I blushed, ducking my head. “Okay, fine. I’m a rich, spoiled princess courtesy of my sister. She treats me like I’m made of glass and diamonds. Always has.”

Amber clutched her chest dramatically. “Adopt me. Please. I’ll be the best big-sister-in-law you ever had.”

We both burst out laughing again…loud enough that a couple heads turned.

And then—

Raised voices.

Sharp. Angry. Coming from the reception area near the entrance.

Amber and I froze mid-laugh, turning toward the glass doors in perfect sync.

The shouting grew louder…two male voices overlapping, one low and dangerous, the other sharp with fury.

People were already drifting toward the noise, phones half-raised like they were about to film a reality show.

Amber whispered, “What the hell?”

I stood up slowly, heart suddenly hammering against my ribs.

Because I recognized one of those voices.

And the other one.

Both of them.