Chapter 71
It had been ages since I last rode a bicycle.
“Bicycle,” I said, pointing to the side of the road.
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Nowadays, all you needed to rent one was to scan a QR code with your phone. Miles scanned one first, and just as I was about to do the same, he stopped me.
“You’ve been drinking, so you can’t ride.”
I
“Do they even check for drunk cycling?” I asked, tilting my head.
“Yes, they do. And–Miles grabbed my arm. Unlike Logan’s harsh grips, Miles’s touch was soft and gentle.
“You’ve been drinking. It’s dangerous.”
Miles was always the perfect gentleman.
I smiled. “But aren’t you here?”
“If you want to ride, we can do it another time. Together. But not tonight. I’ll take you on mine,” he said, leading me to the bike he had just unlocked.
want you to fall.”
He climbed on first, then helped me onto the back seat. “Hold on tight, Elaine. I don’t want you
“Okay,” I said, clinging to his shirt.
The cool night breeze brushed against me as we rode. Miles reminded me of a carefree youth who loved cycling. Logan, on the other hand, never rode bicycles–only motorcycles.
Even though they were brothers by blood, their personalities couldn’t have been more different. Miles was a gentleman, calm and steady, while Logan was wild, untamed, and unpredictable.
“Bad mood tonight?” Miles asked, breaking the silence.
“No. I’m fine,” I said defiantly, even though I knew I wasn’t.
“Still can’t let go of Logan, can you?” he pressed.
I huffed and gave him a light punch on the shoulder. “That’s not true. I got over him a long time ago. After today, we’re done. Completely. He is him, and I am me.”
Miles didn’t say anything after that and kept riding.
After a while, I spoke up. “Take me to the hotel. I have work tomorrow.”
“Elaine,” he suddenly called out.
I was about to reply when he asked, “Why is it that between the two of us, you only have eyes for Logan? Why is he the only one you see?”
My grip on his shirt tightened as my heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t entirely oblivious–I’d known for a long time how he felt about me. I just didn’t want to admit it.
It had always been clear that Miles didn’t see me as just a sister.
“That’s because… he’s my fiancé. That’s what everyone always said, “I answered quietly.
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Miles’s voice softened. “But now that you’re no longer with him…” He paused. “Do I have a chance?”
My heart raced, and it took a moment before I could respond. “You’re my brother.”
He fell silent after that and kept pedaling until we reached the hotel.
I
I
When I got off the bike, the alcohol hit me harder than I’d expected, and I nearly stumbled.
Miles grabbed me just in time and parked the bike with a push of his foot. “I’ll take you upstairs.”
“It’s fine,” I said, trying to pull my hand away.
But Miles didn’t let go. Instead, he tightened his grip. “Elaine, I don’t want to be your brother. I want to take care of you for the rest of your life.”
I froze, a lump forming in my throat.
“If you’d stayed with Logan, I would have taken this to my grave,” Miles continued, his voice filled with emotion. “But now that you’ve broken up, I want to fight for a chance.”
Under the quiet night sky, his words felt heavy, suffocating. I almost couldn’t breathe.
I clenched my fist and forced myself to look up at him. “I only see you as a brother. I always have, and I always will.”
Disappointment clouded his eyes, and his voice cracked with pain. “Can’t you stop seeing me as your brother? Just once?”
Before I could respond, someone interrupted.
“Ms. Hart, why are you still up? Don’t you have work tomorrow?”
Lturned to see Ashton walking toward us. He was dressed in dark gray loungewear and hotel slippers but his steps were steady and purposeful.
While I was still processing everything, I felt Miles’s grip tighten on my wrist. At the same time, Ashton reached out and grabbed my other hand.
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