Chapter 169

Chapter 169
Sasha's POV

I tried to control my breathing, desperately trying to calm my nerves as I waited for the guards to bring Bryan to the room I was seated in.

How did things go so wrong? Looking back, I still couldn't process why he ended up the way he did.
He was our parent's favourite. I was the one pushed to the side most times and yet, I wasn't too bummed about it. It felt good to see my little brother receive so much love.

He had no childhood trauma I was aware of and he was given everything he wanted on a platter of gold. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't fathom how he managed to grow this bitter.

I had to put on a strong face and do this. For the sake of everyone I love. For the sake of everyone I lost. For the sake of innocent people that have been hurt.

I heard the chains first.
I looked up as the door creaked open.

My face blanked as soon as he came into sight.

“Well, well, well, if it isn't my dear sister” he said as the guards held him, chains dragging behind him.
He was chained to a chair and when they were sure it was secure, they stepped back.
I ordered them to leave and they did.

Then, it was just us.

A beat of silence passed as I stared at him. The smug expression on his face was enough to make any sane person go feral.
But I managed to keep my cool.

“Lily Amber.” I said, closing watching his reaction.

His face dropped. The smug smile was completely wiped off.

Bingo.

“I know everything,” I said.

I obviously didn't but I needed him to believe I did.

I leaned forward.

“You're even more despicable than I thought” I said and his jaw ticked.
Good.
He was getting angry.

“You already know how bad your sentence is going to be. Goddess knows how worse it'll be when the court finds out you kidnapped and groomed a minor.

“What are you talking about?! I didn't groom her! She came willingly!” He argued.

“She was young and you manipulated her. You manipulated everything. You made her think we killed her family. You think the court's going to accept that a minor came to you willingly.”

His eyes widened.
“You think I'm going to rot in jail? Think again. I'll be out of here quicker than you can blink.”

I scoffed.
“Sure. Try your luck. With the evidence we have against you… I'd like to see you try” I said and he slammed his fist against the table.

“It was because of her stupid father. I didn't kidnap her. She wanted revenge! Ask the little bitch” he said, his face growing red from anger.

“We did. She told us everything you did to her. The kidnapping, the abuse? That's low, even for you.” I said.
Was I lying? Yes.
Was it working though? Yes.

“That lying slut! I should have murdered her with her useless family back then. I just needed an ally with a common enemy. That's why I kept the bitch. She's just like her father. Nosy idiots. If he didn't try to stop me from killing your pathetic husband, everything would be perfect right now” he said, his tone still filled with agitation.

I froze.
I knew he had something to do with his death but I didn't exactly know how.

I swallowed past the ache in my chest, my face still as blank as still waters.

Caught in his own head, he continued to rant.

“It was all found as planned. The server poisoned his food, before bringing it in, every single time. But then the stupid chef got suspicious and started serving the food himself. If only he agreed to the deal I offered him. Poison the king and get a higher position. I even offered him the position of a Lord in court. But he refused and threatened to tell on me. So, I did what was necessary and put someone better in charge. The stupid bitch should have been there that day.” He finished with a satisfied grin.

By the time he was done, the storm boiling beneath the surface threatened to spill. My hands curled into fists as I pinched my palms to control myself.

I sighed before looking at him again, the smug grin was back on his face.

“Sister,” he started with a sick smile and I swallowed.
He wasn't my brother.
It wasn't possible.

“I'm going to make sure I finish what I started. Alexander and that Sinclair bitch were lucky the first time. I won't fail next time.” He said, a sickening laugh following suit.

I saw red and I slammed my fist on the table, before breathing through it.

I leaned forward.
“I'm going to make sure that you beg for death.” I said and his face fell.

“Guards!” I yelled and the door opened immediately.

“Take him away,” I ordered.

“No!” Bryan yelled as he struggled against them.

“You think you can get rid of me that easily?!” He yelled and I clasped my hands together and closed my eyes as he was dragged away, chains dragging after him. I closed my ears off to his yelling and maniacal laughing.

When I was finally alone, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
My entire body shook with rage and my chest ached.
I clicked the stop button on the recording watch that Alex gave me.

I thought of my late husband. Zayden was the warmest person I ever knew. He was so soft and he cared about everyone that surrounded him. He loved me. And I loved him so much. And to think that my brother, my own blood, is the reason that he doesn't exist anymore, the reason that I would never see those beautiful eyes anymore, it kills me.

My chin trembled as tears fell down my cheeks.

“I'm so sorry, Zay” I whispered.

Goddess, I can't believe he lived under the same roof with us for years and I didn't see him for what he was. And then he tried to kill my son and I still didn't know.

I was going to make sure he never s
aw the light of day again.
Anger seeped into my veins again as I wiped my tears off.

But first, Lily.