My CEO Brother Wants Me

Lucien sat by the window of the long black luxury sedan, his arm resting against the door as he stared outside. The city moved past them in a blur of lights and glass buildings, but he wasn't really looking at any of it.

Across from him, his mother kept glancing his way.

"Lucien," she said gently, "about what happened earlier..."

He didn't turn.

"I told you already," he said. "I couldn't control it."

Seraphina sighed softly and leaned back in her seat.

The outburst that morning had been bad. He had shattered a vase, they'd raised their voices, even one of the house staff had to be sent home in tears.

It wasn't the first time, and they weren't sure it would be the last.

His father, Alaric, sat beside him, calm as always, hands resting on his cane.

"Your therapist made another recommendation," Alaric said.

Lucien didn't react, but he was listening.

"He thinks it might help if we adopted a child," Alaric continued. "A young girl. Someone who could stay close to you. Someone you could bond with."

That got Lucien's attention. He looked over, then said, "No one can replace Lina."

The car went quiet immediately.

Seraphina's expression softened at the name.

"We know that," she said gently. "No one is trying to replace her."

Lina was his younger sister, gone barely a year. The house hasn't felt the same since.

"This isn't about replacing her," Seraphina went on. "It's about helping you heal. If you want to get better, you have to be open to trying what's recommended."

Lucien looked back out the window. He didn't reply again.

The car eventually slowed down as they got to a tall building, Clayview Orphanage. One of the many places the Hale family funded.

The manager, a middle-aged woman hurried forward as they stepped out.

"Mr. Hale, Mrs. Hale, welcome," she said warmly. "It's an honor to have you here."

Seraphina smiled politely. "Thank you. We're hoping to meet some of the children today."

"Of course," the manager said quickly. "Please, come in."

Lucien followed behind his parents, uninterested. He didn't want a sister. He didn't want anyone trying to fill Lina's space.

"We're looking to adopt a young girl," Seraphina said as they walked. "Around five or six."

"That's awesome. We have several children in that age group," the manager beemed. "There's a class session currently ongoing."

They entered a classroom and saw children seated around small desks while a teacher wrote on the board. Boys and girls both. Some were curious, some shy while some seemed to be used to visitors to react at all.

The manager smiled. "You can take your time."

Seraphina glanced at Lucien. "Do any of them catch your eye?"

He shook his head immediately. "No."

As he turned to leave, a small body ran straight into him making books and pencils scatter across the floor. The little girl gasped, stumbling back.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she said quickly, bowing her head over and over.

Lucien stared down at her. She had wide doe eyes and though she was startled, she wasn't crying. Her hair was packed into two small pigtails, slightly messy like she had done them herself.

She kept apologizing as she gathered her things.

He didn't speak or move. He only watched her.

She picked up her books and hurried to her seat without looking up again.

Seraphina and Alaric exchanged a glance behind him. Seraphina then smiled and turned to the manager.

"We'd like to proceed with her."

The manager nodded quickly. "Of course, Mrs. Hale."

Only then did Lucien speak. "I don't want her as my sister."

They both looked at him. Seraphina frowned. "But you seemed to like her."

Lucien's eyes were still on the girl across the room. She was calm, writing like nothing had happened.

He shook his head. "I want to marry her."

The manager blinked in shock, then laughed awkwardly, assuming it was childish talk.

Seraphina sighed softly. "Lucien."

"I will marry her," he repeated, smug certainty in his young voice. "Don't adopt her."

Alaric placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're fourteen," he said calmly.

Lucien didn't look away from the girl. "Doesn't matter."

Seraphina shook her head. "Lucien, how else would she live with us? We'd have to adopt her formally."

Alaric nodded. "She can't come home with us otherwise."

Lucien looked at them both.

"Then adopt her," he said. "Just don't give her our name."

Seraphina's brows pulled together. "Lucien... she'll feel left out if we do that."

He shook his head once. "I won't let her."

They both paused at that.

"She won't feel left out," he added. "I'll make sure of it."

To his parents, it sounded like childish attachment, a grieving boy redirecting emotion after loss.

The manager cleared her throat politely. "Shall we begin the paperwork?"

AVA

I stepped off the private jet and stopped without meaning to.

A line of black cars waited on the tarmac, three of them. All shiny and expensive. Men in dark suits stood beside the doors, already waiting for me.

I let out a breath and smiled bitterly to myself. I didn't know why I expected anything different.

Six years away and part of me still hoped someone would come for me. Seraphina, Alaric. Maybe even Lucien. Just one familiar face to say welcome home.

I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and walked closer.

One of the men nodded politely.

"Welcome back, Miss Elara."

Not Miss Hale.

My smile faltered for a second, but I nodded anyway. "Thank you."

Another guard opened the door of the car in the middle. It was a Rolls-Royce. I paused for a moment, my eyes tracing the smooth lines. I had always liked cars.

Still, it didn't make me feel any better.

I slid into the back seat, and the door closed behind me. The car moved almost immediately.

As the road stretched out ahead, I pulled out my phone. If I didn't call my best friend, Stacy now, she would definitely complain later.

The call connected quickly.

"You've landed?" she said.

"I just did." I responded.

"Finally. I was starting to think something happened." She exhaled.

"So," she continued, "have you seen your grumpy brother yet?"

My fingers tightened around the phone.

"No," I said. "I wouldn't expect him to leave work just to come get me."

Stacy scoffed. "That man is unbelievable. What kind of brother doesn't even check on his sister? All he does is send random gifts like that makes up for everything."

I laughed softly, trying to act normal.

"He's always been like that," I said. "You know how busy he is."

"Girl, I know he's running the country's top company and all that," she said, "but that's not an excuse."

I could already imagine her rolling her eyes.

I looked out the window as the city blurred past. "It's fine, Stacy. I'll call you later," I said. "Say hi to Mark for me."

"I will," she replied. "And Ava... take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will."

I ended the call just as tall iron gates came into view.

The Hale estate.

The gates opened slowly, and the car drove in. The grounds looked wider than I remembered. The main house appeared ahead, exquisite and white. Somehow, it looked even bigger than it used to.

I should have felt happy.

Instead, that familiar feeling settled in my chest, reminding me that I was stepping back into a place where I had never quite belonged.

The car stopped at the front steps.

Seraphina Hale, my mother, stood waiting. She looked elegant as ever, dressed simply but in a way that made everything else look less important. Ria, the housekeeper, stood beside her, older now but ever smiling. A few maids stood respectfully behind them.

The door opened, and I stepped out.

Seraphina walked toward me immediately and pulled me into a hug.

"It's good to see you, darling."

"It's good to see you too," I said, hugging her back.

Ria smiled brightly. "Look at you," she said. "You've grown into such a fine woman."

Seraphina nodded. "You really have."

I smiled politely. I never knew what to say when people talked about my looks. I didn't think much about it.

We went inside.

The house smelled the same, clean and expensive. Many things had changed, but some of it looked exactly the way I remembered.

Across the room, Alaric, my father, sat reading the newspaper. He looked up when he noticed me.

"Ava, dear," he said with a small smile. "Welcome home. How was your journey?"

"It was fine," I replied.

"Congratulations again on your graduation," he added.

"Thank you," I said, smiling.

He nodded and returned to his paper.

My eyes moved around the room without me meaning to.

Seraphina noticed. "Are you looking for Lucien?"

I turned quickly. "No. I'm not."

She smiled gently like she didn't quite believe me.

"He'll be visiting this evening."

My heart skipped, then started beating faster. I nodded, pretending it didn't matter.

"Go wash up," she said. "We'll eat soon."

I nodded and went upstairs.

When I opened the door to my room, I stopped.

Nothing had changed.

The bed, the curtains, even the chair by the window. It felt like the room had been waiting for me, untouched, while my life happened somewhere else.

I walked over to the dresser. Photos sat neatly on top. My friends from high school and memories I barely remembered now.

Then I saw one picture and picked it up.

It was me and Lucien.

I was smiling so widely, almost laughing. Lucien stood beside me, taller even then, his expression bored and clearly annoyed.

I remembered that day.

Seraphina had forced us to take the picture together. It was my sixteenth birthday, and the next morning, I was on a plane, sent on my way to London.

That was the last photo of us together. Actually, the only one.

I set the picture down and shook my head. I didn't want to think about that now.

My luggage sat neatly by the bed. The maids had already brought everything in.

I went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. The water was warm, exactly what I needed. I stayed there longer than I meant to, letting the water quiet my thoughts.

When I came back out, I chose a comfortable gown from the wardrobe. It had a soft floral pattern and stopped a little above my knees.

I slipped it on and stood in front of the mirror.

I had grown. My body had filled out naturally, curvy where it hadn't been before. My skin was clear. My hair fell down my back in loose waves, long enough to reach my waist.

Stacy had told me more than once that I should try modelling for a skincare brand. I always said no. I strongly dislike attention.

I smoothed my hair and turned toward the door.

As I was about to turn the door knob, I heard a car park at the entrance.

Lucien was here.

AVA

I took a breath and walked down the stairs.

I didn't see him yet, but I heard his voice. It was deeper than I remembered. He didn't even need to be loud to be heard.

"I've been busy," he said.

Seraphina clicked her tongue. "Busy is not an excuse, Lucien. You disappear for months and think visiting now fixes it."

"I call," he replied.

"Once in a while," she shot back. "You didn't even visit when Ava was still abroad."

I slowed my steps without meaning to.

Alaric sighed softly. "You two have been having this same argument for years," he said. "Let him breathe."

I reached the bottom step just as Seraphina looked up and saw me.

Her face softened immediately. "There you are."

Lucien turned, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

He was taller, somehow impossibly taller than he was six years ago. I didn't even know how that was possible. I had seen him on screens, interviews and articles. The media loved him.

But none of it came close.

He was wearing black from head to toe, a fitted top tucked neatly into black trousers. I could see his muscles and abs popping out. His hair was slicked back, except for one strand that had fallen loose on his forehead.

He looked... unbelievably handsome. There was no other word for it.

Then our eyes met, and I froze

Seraphina cleared her throat quickly. "Lucien, Ava is back."

"I can see that," he said dryly. "Welcome back."

"Thank you," I said.

"Come," Seraphina said quickly. "Dinner is ready."

She guided us to the dining room.

I took my seat across from Lucien. Alaric sat at the head of the table with Seraphine beside him.

Dinner started quietly.

"So tell us, how was school?" Seraphina asked, glancing at me.

"It was good," I said. "Challenging, but good."

"And Stella?" she asked. "Is she coming back to Port Elam, or staying in London?"

"She'll be coming soon," I replied. "She's just waiting for her boyfriend to finish some projects so they can move together."

Seraphina smiled. "That's sweet."

Then she tilted her head at me, eyes bright with curiosity. "And what about you, Ava? Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No," I said. "I haven't really... explored dating."

Alaric looked at me, surprised. "Why not? A woman with a face like yours could have any man she wanted."

I laughed, a little embarrassed. "I don't know about that."

"Well," he said, "it's true."

I shrugged lightly. "I guess I'm just waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Seraphina asked, amused.

"My prince charming," I said jokingly. "Someone who would love me for me. Not because I look good or because I have money...well, your money. Just honest love."

Seraphina laughed. "You want a love story from a book."

I smiled. "Maybe I do."

Seraphina leaned forward a little, still smiling. "But surely there must be someone who has caught your attention."

I felt heat rush to my face before I could stop it.

I looked down at my plate, suddenly very aware of Lucien sitting beside me.

"There is... someone," I admitted.

Seraphina's smile widened instantly. "I knew it."

I laughed softly, nervous. "It's nothing serious."

"Why not?" she asked.

I hesitated, then said, "I don't think it would work."

"Why?" Alaric asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. He's staying back in London, besides men don't really approach me much."

That part was true. People looked, admired me even but they rarely came closer. It had always been like that.

Seraphina looked surprised. "That's hard to believe."

I just smiled faintly and focused on my food.

Beside me, Lucien still hadn't spoken but when I glanced down, I noticed his grip on the cup had tightened. For a second, I wondered if the glass might actually crack. His face, though, gave nothing away.

Alaric cleared his throat.

"So," he said, setting his cutlery down, "what's next for you, Ava?"

I looked up. "Next?"

"Yes. Now that you've graduated."

"Oh," I said. "I'm hoping to start applying for jobs soon."

There was a pause, then I noticed the way both Seraphina and Alaric frowned, like they didn't quite understand what I'd just said.

Lucien, who had been mostly silent all evening, finally looked at me. It made me sit up without meaning to.

Alaric leaned back in his chair. "Apply for jobs?" he repeated.

"Yes," I said. "I want to work. You know...gain experience."

He exchanged a look with Seraphina. "Why would you apply for jobs when you're family?"

I blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"You could work at Hale Corporation," he continued. "There's no need for you to go elsewhere."

Seraphina nodded in agreement. "Your father is right. You don't have to start from the bottom elsewhere."

I opened my mouth to respond, but she kept going.

"Lucien would be glad to find you a suitable position," she added, glancing toward him.

I could feel Lucien's attention on me again. I smiled politely, but I shook my head.

"I appreciate that," I said, "but I'd like to work on my own. Build something myself."

I continued before anyone could interrupt.

"I was thinking of applying to Greenfield," I added. "They're expanding their strategy department."

"There's no need for that." Lucien finally said.

Everyone looked at him.

I frowned, confused by the certainty in his tone.

Seraphina, however, didn't look confused. She looked... anxious.

Lucien set his cutlery down neatly and wiped his hands with his napkin before speaking again.

"You won't be applying anywhere."

My brows pulled together. "I'm sorry?"

He faced me directly. "There's no reason for you to work outside,"

"I want to." I countered.

"That's unnecessary." The arrogance in his voice made my chest tighten.

"With all due respect," I said, trying to stay calm, "it's not unnecessary to me."

Lucien didn't look offended. If anything, he looked more serious.

"We're getting married." He declared.

For a second, I didn't quite understand the words.

"Sorry... what?"

Seraphina inhaled sharply. Alaric didn't look surprised. He just rubbed his temple like this conversation had been waiting to happen.

"You and I," Lucien said without breaking eye contact with me. "We're getting married."

My chair scraped against the floor as I leaned back.

I laughed, "That's not funny."

"I'm not laughing." He replied.

My heart started pounding. "Lucien," I said slowly, "I'm your sister."

He didn't even blink. "You live in my house," he replied. "That doesn't make you my sister."

The room went completely quiet.

I stared at Lucien, trying to figure out if he had lost his mind but his face was calm, and that scared me more than anything else he could have said.