Husband With Benefits

Six months later:

"So, you’ve finally come out to join the party?" Rafe asked his brother, surprised, as he saw him step into the large ballroom in Petrovia.

Kael shook his head. "No, I’ll be leaving soon. I’m just here to greet the envoy from Estania."

Rafael looked at Kael again, this time letting his worry show. Six months ago, Kael had suddenly returned home and thrown himself into work. At first, their parents were against his return, especially with all the rumors about him. But then they realized that their once rebellious son had changed a lot.

Instead of causing trouble and hanging out with the wrong crowd, always chasing the next thrill and single handedly keeping the gossip press in business, Kael had become completely focused on his work.

Kael had always been good at business, so his intense focus on work hadn’t been a complete surprise. What had shocked—and secretly pleased—their parents were the sudden absence of women and the usual rumors that used to swirl around him. At least now they would not be waking up to see their son in tabloids.

But now, their initial relief had turned into concern, as their once carefree, all-play-and-no-work son had transformed into a workaholic. From being a regular on the front pages, he’d gone to being an absentee.

Rafael glanced at Kael again, studying the way his brother stood—stiff and detached, as if the lively atmosphere of the ballroom barely registered with him.

He thought back to that night when Kael had returned to him, smashed with alcohol and out of his mind. He knew that this drastic change was likely due to the heartbreak Kael had endured then.