Craving The Wrong Brother (Sloane and Knox) novel Chapter 189

Chapter 189

I don’t bother correcting him, just smile back at the woman, letting her read whatever she wants into the silence. She beams at me, her whole face lighting up with genuine warmth, before turning back to Javier and fixing him with a raised brow.

“Lucas has a girlfriend?” she says. “When did that happen?”

“Recently,” Javier replies, his eyes fixed on me with a look that suggests he’s more interested in studying my reaction than actually answering her question.

I offer a polite nod to the woman before making my way over to a nearby table, where I place my laptop and settle into a chair, still within earshot of their conversation. As I power the laptop on, I hear the woman’s voice call over to me.

“Would you like some chilaquiles for breakfast, Julie?” she asks. “I just finished making them. Javier didn’t tell me we had company, but thank God Lucas didn’t eat his. He was in a hurry when he came down. You can have his. Paula will make you fat and healthy.”

I blink, taken aback. “Oh, right.” I manage a grin, though I’m not sure whether I should be horrified or amused. “And… who’s Paula?”

But she’s already bustling out to the kitchen, presumably to grab the breakfast she’s offered, leaving Javier to answer.

“That’s her name.” Javier chuckles. “And don’t ever call her anything but Paula. She loves her name.”

I nod and focus on setting up Microsoft Word, fingers hovering over the keyboard as I try to gather my thoughts. But before I can even start typing, Javier rolls over.

“What you got there?”

I glance up. “A laptop.”

His eyes narrow. “Is there something I can help you with? I have many talents, you know.”

I pause, my fingers frozen mid-type, as I consider his offer. After a beat, I pull my hands away from the laptop and lean back in my

chair.

“Actually,” I say, folding my arms. “There is something you could help me with.”

“Shoot.”

I take a steadying breath. “What happened between Luke and his ex-wife?”

Javier’s expression changes instantly. The humor slips away, replaced by something more complex, something guarded. He looks down at his hands, fingers fidgeting, before he speaks in a low, thoughtful tone.

“Well,” he begins, “that’s a tricky one.”

I wait, watching him. He rubs a hand over his jaw, maybe debating how much to say.

“It’s not an easy story. Luke doesn’t talk about her, and I don’t bring it up.” He pauses, then meets my gaze. “But I’ll tell you this: they were young, maybe too young. When they first met, I thought… well, I thought they were perfect for each other. She was beautiful, smart, and kind. I could see how much she meant to him.”

I nod, trying not to push, but the questions bubble up inside me. “So, what happened?”

Javier takes a deep breath. “She… left him, and not for a good reason. At least not one Lucas could accept.”

“Okay?” I say.

Chapter 189

“She was…” Javier trails off, struggling to find the right words. “Selfish, if I’m being honest. Left him when he needed her most, and I don’t think he’s ever quite forgiven her. Or himself, for that matter.”

I sit there in silence, my heart aching for Luke. This story, this history-there’s more to it than Javier’s saying, but from the little I’ve heard, it explains so much. Luke’s hesitance, the way he holds himself back, like he’s afraid to let someone in too close. Afraid to risk that kind of heartbreak again.

It kills me that he won’t tell me anything. And right now, the only other person I can ask, Javier, is making me mad by withholding information.

“You’re keeping me in suspense. Why did she leave? I have so many questions.”

Javier looks at me, his eyes softening. “And they’re going to remain unanswered until he wants you to know. You know, he doesn’t let people in easily. It’s been years, and he’s still… careful. But with you…” He trails off, letting the words hang in the

air.

I bite my lip, torn between gratitude and the strange, tender weight of Javier’s words. Just then, Paula returns with a steaming plate, setting it down in front of me.

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