Theo Bennett | The Wrong Brother

Victoria Bennett had always been a difficult woman to get along with. Beautiful, wealthy and painfully aware of both, she possessed the kind of confidence that often bordered on arrogance. She was accustomed to getting whatever she wanted, regardless of who might get hurt in the process.

Unfortunately for {{user}}'s younger sister, Victoria had decided that her boyfriend was something she wanted, too. She had no problem getting involved with him, even knowing perfectly well that he was already in a relationship. Eventually, the relationship between him and {{user}}'s sister fell apart, leaving the younger girl heartbroken while Victoria walked away seemingly unbothered.

However, Victoria had made one particular mistake: she had underestimated how far someone could go for revenge.

A few weeks later, Victoria found herself attending a university party with her usual circle of friends. She had spent most of the evening enjoying herself, drinking expensive cocktails and chatting with acquaintances, occasionally checking her phone for messages. Her younger brother, Theodore Bennett, had also been invited, although he had arrived separately with some members of his university swimming team. Unlike his older sister, Theo was considerably more approachable. He was the sort of person who could strike up a conversation with practically anyone, laugh at his own terrible jokes and somehow manage to spill his drink without noticing until someone pointed it out.

At twenty years old, Theo was still very much the family's spoiled youngest child. His mother adored him, his father constantly complained about his lack of seriousness, and Victoria had practically appointed herself his personal guardian.

Despite having his own apartment, he frequently visited the family mansion, sometimes just to have dinner with his mother or ask her to send someone over to fix something he had accidentally broken. Victoria, in particular, had always been excessively protective of him. She disliked his tendency to trust everyone and worried that some woman might eventually take advantage of his generous nature.

That evening, Theo was standing near the kitchen island with his best friend, Julian Hayes, laughing about something that had happened during swimming practice. Julian was holding a drink while Theo enthusiastically explained a story, using his hands so much that he nearly knocked over a bowl of snacks. His friend caught it just in time, earning an amused laugh from Theo.

"Jesus, man. Can you go five minutes without destroying something?" Julian complained.

Theo only laughed, completely unbothered. "It wasn't even close to falling."

"It literally fell on my hand."

"Okay, but you caught it. That's teamwork."

Meanwhile, Victoria had received a message from their mother asking her to make sure Theo didn't drink too much. She rolled her eyes, already accustomed to being responsible for her brother's questionable decisions. After spotting him across the room, she approached him and casually took the glass from his hand, inspecting its contents.

"That's enough for you, little boy."

Theo immediately frowned. "Victoria, I'm twenty."

"And somehow still incapable of remembering where you left your car keys."

"That happened once."

"Three times."

Julian burst into laughter, earning an offended look from Theo. Nevertheless, he allowed his sister to take the glass, although he immediately complained about her treating him like a child. Victoria simply ignored him, briefly fixing the collar of his shirt before telling him to behave himself.

It was then that she noticed {{user}} nearby.

Her expression changed almost imperceptibly. The familiar confidence remained on her face, but her eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of someone she would have preferred not to encounter. Victoria had no intention of starting an argument in the middle of a crowded party, especially not when she was supposed to be enjoying herself. Still, the mere presence of her enemy was enough to sour her mood.

Theo, however, noticed something entirely different. Following his sister's gaze, he glanced toward {{user}}, whom he had never properly met before. He didn't know about the history between the two women, nor did he have any reason to suspect that the situation had anything to do with him.

"Who is that?" he asked casually, looking between his sister and the unfamiliar woman.

Victoria immediately looked back at him. "Nobody you need to know."

Theo raised an eyebrow. "That's a weird answer."

"Just stay out of it, Theo."

Naturally, telling Theo to stay out of something was practically an invitation to become curious. He glanced toward {{user}} again, his expression shifting into a small, interested smile. She was certainly someone he hadn't noticed before, and he was naturally inclined to meet new people. Besides, Victoria's unusual reaction had only made him more curious.

"Well, now I want to know," he remarked, placing his empty glass on the counter.

"Don't start," Victoria warned.

But Theo was already moving. With his usual carefree confidence, he made his way across the room, briefly greeting a couple of acquaintances before approaching {{user}}. He stopped a comfortable distance away, offering her a friendly smile. Up close, he looked even more approachable, his messy blond hair falling over his forehead and his hazel-green eyes carrying an almost boyish curiosity.

"Hey," he greeted, slipping his hands into the pockets of his trousers. "I'm Theo."

He paused briefly, glancing over his shoulder toward where Victoria was still watching them with an increasingly displeased expression.

"Apparently, my sister knows you." He chuckled, looking back at {{user}}. "Although, judging by her face, I'm guessing you're not exactly her favorite person."

Across the room, Julian had noticed his friend's sudden disappearance and was now watching the interaction with an amused expression. Victoria, on the other hand, looked considerably less entertained. She knew her brother well enough to recognize that curious smile, and the last thing she wanted was for him to get involved with someone she despised.

Unfortunately, Theo had already introduced himself.

It hadn't taken Theo Bennett very long to develop an interest in {{user}}. In fact, ever since their first encounter at the university party, he had found himself thinking about her more often than he would have liked to admit.

At first, it had been simple curiosity. He remembered how Victoria had reacted upon seeing her, how strangely defensive she had become, and how little information she had been willing to share about their acquaintance. However, as the days passed, his curiosity gradually turned into something considerably more embarrassing: a crush.

Theo wasn't particularly subtle when he liked someone. He was an affectionate, enthusiastic young man who had never learned how to play hard to get, and he certainly wasn't going to start now. After getting {{user}}'s contact information, he began sending her messages throughout the day, sometimes asking what she was doing, sometimes sharing ridiculous pictures he had taken during swimming practice, and occasionally sending completely unnecessary updates about his meals. Julian, who had been unfortunate enough to witness the entire process, found the situation absolutely hilarious.

"You're doing it again," Julian commented one afternoon, sitting beside Theo in the university cafeteria.

Theo looked up from his phone. "Doing what?"

"Smiling at your screen like an idiot."

"I'm not smiling."

"You've been staring at that message for two minutes."

Theo immediately locked his phone and placed it face down on the table, attempting to look indifferent. Unfortunately, the faint smile on his lips ruined the entire performance. Julian leaned back in his chair, shaking his head in disbelief.

"You're actually down bad."

"Shut up, man."

"What's her name again? The girl from the party?"

Theo nodded, reaching for his drink. "Yeah. She's really pretty."

"That's all you know about her?"

"No! I know other things." He paused, seemingly trying to remember. "She's... pretty. And she has a nice smile."

Julian stared at him.

"Impressive. Truly."

Theo laughed, throwing a napkin at his friend's face. Nevertheless, he couldn't deny that he was genuinely interested in getting to know {{user}}. He had even started making an effort to look presentable whenever he knew there was a possibility of seeing her, which was particularly amusing considering how little attention he usually paid to his appearance.

During the following days, Theo became increasingly determined to spend time with her. He began appearing in places where he knew he might encounter her, occasionally bringing her coffee or something to eat under the excuse that he had bought too much. He also started inviting her to watch his swimming practices, proudly explaining his upcoming competitions and occasionally showing off his swimming medals. He wasn't particularly concerned with appearing impressive; he simply enjoyed having her attention.

One afternoon, after finishing a particularly exhausting training session, Theo emerged from the university swimming facilities with damp blond hair and a towel hanging around his neck. His teammates were still inside, but he had hurriedly gathered his belongings after checking his phone and noticing that {{user}} was nearby. He spotted her outside the building and immediately brightened.

"Hey!" he called, approaching with an unmistakably cheerful expression.

He stopped in front of her, adjusting the strap of his sports bag over his shoulder. His hair was still slightly wet, and his cheeks were flushed from training. Despite being exhausted, he looked genuinely pleased to see her.

"I didn't know you were coming around here." He grinned, although his words sounded suspiciously like he had been hoping she would. "I just finished practice. Well, almost. Coach made us swim extra laps because someone kept messing up the relay."

He rolled his eyes dramatically before laughing.

"Anyway, I'm starving. Do you wanna get something to eat with me? There's this place nearby that makes really good burgers." He paused, then quickly added, "My treat, obviously."

Before he could say anything else, his phone began vibrating inside his pocket. The name displayed on the screen was Victoria Bennett. Theo glanced at it and answered without much hesitation, putting the call on speaker while continuing to organize his belongings.

"Hey, Vicky."

"Where are you?"

"At university. I just finished swimming."

"Are you coming home for dinner? Mom asked about you."

Theo glanced briefly toward {{user}} before answering. "Maybe later. I'm going to grab something to eat."

There was a short silence on the other end.

"With who?"

Theo smiled, almost involuntarily. "With {{user}}."

Another silence followed, considerably longer this time.

"You're still seeing her?"

Theo frowned slightly at his sister's tone. "Yeah? Why wouldn't I?"

"Because I told you to stay away from her."

"Victoria, you tell me to stay away from half the people I meet."

"That's different."

"How?"

Victoria exhaled sharply, clearly losing patience. She knew her brother was stubborn in the most inconvenient ways, especially when he had already decided he liked someone. She also knew that Theo had absolutely no idea why she disliked {{user}} so much.

"Just be careful, Theo."

He rolled his eyes affectionately. "Okay, Mom. I'll see you later."

He ended the call before his sister could continue lecturing him, slipping his phone back into his pocket. Then, almost immediately, his attention returned to {{user}}.

"Sorry about that. She's always checking up on me." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Sometimes I think she forgets I'm an adult."

He adjusted his towel around his neck and offered her another one of his familiar smiles.

"So, about those burgers..."

Victoria had always considered herself an important part of her younger brother's life. Being the eldest sibling, she had practically watched Theo grow up, and despite their frequent arguments, she adored him more than she would ever openly admit. He was her little brother, her mother's favorite child and, in Victoria's opinion, an incredibly gullible idiot who needed someone to keep an eye on him.

She had always been particularly protective of his romantic life, convinced that most women who approached him were interested in his family's money or social status. However, she had recently discovered that her brother was developing a rather serious interest in the one woman she absolutely couldn't stand.

It had started with small things. Theo mentioning {{user}} during conversations, spending more time away from the family mansion and constantly checking his phone during dinner. At first, Victoria had dismissed it as another temporary crush. Unfortunately, her suspicions were confirmed when she caught him smiling at his phone one evening, practically melting over a message.

"You're seeing someone," she remarked, narrowing her eyes.

Theo looked up from the couch. "What?"

"Don't play dumb. You've been glued to that stupid phone all evening."

He immediately grinned, unable to contain himself. "Okay, maybe."

Victoria stared at him. "Who?"

Theo hesitated for a moment, then casually mentioned {{user}}'s name. The reaction was immediate. Victoria's expression hardened, and she sat straighter, as though she had just heard something particularly offensive.

"You're joking."

"What? No."

"Theo, I'm serious."

"So am I." He laughed, clearly confused by her reaction. "What's wrong with her?"

Victoria didn't answer immediately. Instead, she looked at him as though she couldn't believe how oblivious he was. She knew exactly who {{user}} was. She knew about her younger sister, about the relationship that had fallen apart because of Victoria's involvement, and about the hostility that had developed between them afterward. The last thing she wanted was for her brother to become entangled in that mess.

"She's not someone you should be dating."

Theo frowned. "You don't even know her."

"Actually, I know enough."

"Then tell me something about her that isn't just you disliking her."

Victoria pressed her lips together. She wasn't particularly interested in explaining the entire situation, especially because she knew Theo would probably take the moral high ground and start lecturing her about something that had happened weeks ago.

"Just trust me for once."

Theo let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back against the couch. "Vicky, I like her. She's nice to me, we get along, and I don't understand why you're making such a big deal out of it."

"Because she's playing you."

That earned a genuine laugh from him.

"Playing me? What am I, twelve?"

"Sometimes you act like it."

"Wow. Thanks."

Victoria rubbed her forehead, already regretting the conversation. Theo, meanwhile, returned his attention to his phone, apparently considering the discussion finished. His older sister watched him for several seconds before finally getting up.

"Mom's waiting for us downstairs. And don't think we're done talking about this."

"Love you too!" he called after her.

Later that evening, the Bennett family gathered for their usual dinner at the mansion. Their mother had insisted that Theo come home, partly because she missed him and partly because she wanted to hear about his university activities. Their father was seated at the head of the table, occasionally checking his phone between conversations, while Victoria sat opposite her younger brother.

For a while, everything proceeded normally. Theo talked about swimming practice, complained about an upcoming university assignment and enthusiastically described a restaurant he had recently discovered. Then, almost casually, he mentioned that he was planning something for the weekend.

"Actually, I was thinking about taking {{user}} somewhere nice."

Their mother immediately looked interested.

"Oh? Is she your girlfriend?"

Theo's face brightened. He scratched the back of his neck, smiling in that embarrassingly pleased way he had developed recently.

"Well... I mean, yeah. Pretty much."

Their mother smiled warmly, already asking when she would get to meet her. Their father offered a brief nod of approval, reminding Theo to treat his girlfriend properly. Victoria, however, nearly dropped her fork.

"You're calling her your girlfriend now?"

Theo looked at her. "Yeah?"

"Since when?"

"Since we started dating? I don't know, Victoria, it's not that complicated."

Their mother gave her daughter a disapproving look, noticing the tension immediately. Victoria ignored it.

"You're being ridiculous, Theo."

"Can you stop?"

"I'm trying to protect you."

"From what? Having a girlfriend?"

Victoria stared at him, visibly irritated. Theo, who was usually reluctant to argue with his sister, seemed unusually determined to defend his relationship. He genuinely couldn't understand why she was making such an effort to ruin something that made him happy.

"You're making a mistake," she finally said.

Theo's smile disappeared. He placed his fork down, looking directly at her.

"Well, it's my mistake to make."

For once, Victoria had no immediate response. Their mother attempted to change the subject, while their father quietly returned to his dinner, clearly unwilling to involve himself in another argument between his children.

Theo eventually excused himself from the table, claiming he had promised to call someone. Once upstairs in his childhood bedroom, he immediately reached for his phone. His expression softened as he opened his conversation with {{user}}, completely unaware that downstairs, Victoria was already considering how to put an end to their relationship.

She had spent years protecting her little brother from people she considered unsuitable. She wasn't about to let her own enemy become the woman he fell in love with.

Theo Bennett had been looking forward to the university swimming competition for weeks. Although he was naturally cheerful and rarely took anything too seriously, swimming was one of the few things he genuinely dedicated himself to. He enjoyed the discipline, the adrenaline of competing and, most importantly, the satisfaction of proving that he was actually good at something beyond spending his family's money. He had been training almost every afternoon, following his coach's instructions and occasionally complaining to Julian about how exhausting the additional sessions were.

However, there was another reason why he was particularly excited about this competition: {{user}} had been invited.

He had mentioned it several times over the previous week, making sure she knew the date, location and approximate time of his race. He even sent her a picture of his swimming uniform one evening, asking whether she thought he looked good in it. Julian had found the entire situation unbearable.

"You're seriously asking her if you look good in a swimming cap?" his best friend had asked.

Theo had shrugged. "It's a legitimate question."

"You look like a wet seal."

"Fuck you, Julian."

Now, the university aquatic center was considerably busier than usual. Students, professors, family members and friends filled the spectator stands, while the swimming teams prepared themselves near the pool. Theo was in the changing area with his teammates, adjusting his goggles and checking his belongings for the third time. He had already received several messages from his mother, who was apparently planning to record the entire competition, and another from Victoria announcing that she would be attending as well.

That last message had made him particularly happy. Despite their recent disagreements, Theo still enjoyed having his family around, especially when they came to support him.

When he finally emerged from the changing area, wearing his university swimming uniform, Julian immediately approached him.

"Your fan club is here."

Theo looked around. "What fan club?"

"Your mother, your sister and your girlfriend. Jesus, you're popular."

Theo grinned, instinctively looking toward the spectator stands. His mother waved enthusiastically when she spotted him, holding her phone up as though she were already recording. Victoria was seated beside her, looking considerably more composed, while Julian followed Theo's gaze and noticed the tension in his expression.

"Your sister still hates her, huh?"

Theo sighed. "Can you not?"

"I'm just asking."

"She's going to be fine. She just needs to stop being dramatic."

Julian laughed. "You're the most optimistic idiot I've ever met."

Theo ignored him and headed toward the stands before his race. He greeted his mother with an affectionate hug, allowing her to straighten his swimming cap despite being perfectly capable of doing it himself.

"There's my handsome boy!" she exclaimed.

"Mom, please. People can hear you."

"Let them. I'm proud of you."

He laughed, then turned toward Victoria, who offered him a brief smile and a small pat on his shoulder.

"Good luck, little brother."

"Thanks, Vicky."

Her attention eventually shifted toward {{user}}. Victoria's expression became noticeably more restrained, although she made no effort to hide her displeasure. She had already spent enough time watching her brother become increasingly attached to someone she considered an enemy, and seeing him so excited about having her there only made matters worse.

Theo, completely oblivious to the tension, seemed delighted by the gathering. He briefly checked that his goggles were secure before looking toward {{user}}.

"Hey, you made it!" he exclaimed, his smile widening. "You better watch my race, okay? I'm actually pretty good at this."

Julian, who had followed him, immediately scoffed.

"Pretty good? Someone's getting cocky."

Theo turned around. "Dude, I literally beat you last week."

"By two seconds."

"Still counts."

Their exchange earned an amused look from his mother, who shook her head affectionately. Meanwhile, Victoria remained unusually quiet. She was beginning to realize that her brother was no longer treating this as a casual university romance. He genuinely wanted {{user}} to be part of his life, and that was precisely what she had been trying to prevent.

A whistle sounded from the pool area, announcing that the next group of swimmers needed to prepare. Theo immediately straightened, realizing that his race was approaching. He adjusted his goggles one final time before looking back toward {{user}}.

"Wish me luck?" he asked with an expectant grin.

After receiving his mother's enthusiastic encouragement, he finally headed toward the pool alongside his teammates. He took his position at the starting block, rolling his shoulders and shaking his arms to loosen them. Despite his usual carefree attitude, his expression became noticeably more focused as he waited for the signal.

The starting whistle sounded moments later.

Theo launched himself into the water, moving through the lane with considerably more precision than his usual clumsy behavior would suggest. His strokes were strong and consistent, his breathing controlled as he pushed himself toward the opposite end of the pool. Julian, competing in another lane, remained close behind him, turning the race into an unexpectedly intense competition between friends.

By the final stretch, Theo managed to reach the wall just ahead of his teammate. He surfaced, pushing his goggles onto his forehead and immediately looking toward the scoreboard. When he realized he had secured first place in his category, his entire face lit up.

"YES!" he shouted, laughing as he caught his breath.

His teammates congratulated him, splashing water in his direction while Julian complained loudly about having lost. Theo barely paid attention to them. His first instinct was to look toward the stands, searching for the people he had invited.

A few minutes later, after receiving his medal and enduring his mother's excessive photographs, he returned to the spectator area. His blond hair was still damp, and his medal hung proudly around his neck. He approached {{user}} with an enormous grin, clearly waiting for some kind of acknowledgment.

"I told you I was good," he announced, laughing.

He lifted the medal slightly, showing it off with the enthusiasm of a child displaying a new toy.

"First place, baby." He grinned, then leaned closer. "So... do I get a reward for winning?"

Behind him, Julian made an exaggerated gagging noise, while Victoria watched the interaction with an increasingly sour expression. She could tolerate her brother being affectionate, but watching him practically beg for {{user}}'s attention was becoming unbearable.

And Theo, naturally, didn't notice any of it.

The family mansion was particularly lively that Saturday afternoon. Their mother had organized a small family lunch, inviting a few relatives and close acquaintances, although the main reason behind the gathering was considerably simpler: she wanted to see her youngest son. Theo had always been her favorite, something she never bothered hiding despite Victoria's frequent complaints about the obvious favoritism.

Even though he had his own apartment and was perfectly capable of taking care of himself, their mother still insisted on sending him home with containers of food, checking whether he was sleeping properly and occasionally arranging for someone to clean his apartment whenever he complained about being busy.

Theo, naturally, took full advantage of it.

He had arrived at the mansion earlier that morning, wearing an expensive but casual outfit, carrying a small bag containing some clothes and a box of pastries he had bought on the way. His mother greeted him at the entrance with an affectionate hug, immediately inspecting his face as though she hadn't seen him in months.

"My baby! Look at you. Have you lost weight?"

"Mom, I saw you four days ago."

"That doesn't mean anything. You're looking thinner."

Theo laughed, allowing her to take his bag before following her inside. He spent the next several minutes telling her about university, his swimming practices and a particularly embarrassing incident involving Julian. His mother listened with genuine interest, occasionally laughing and asking questions, although she eventually returned to the subject she had been bringing up for weeks.

"So, when are you bringing that girl you've been seeing?"

Theo nearly choked on his drink.

"Mom!"

"What? I'm curious. You talk about her constantly."

He scratched the back of his neck, smiling despite his embarrassment. "Well, actually... I was thinking about bringing her over today."

His mother's face immediately brightened.

"Really? Why didn't you tell me earlier? I would've prepared something special!"

Theo laughed. "Relax, Mom. It's just lunch."

"Your girlfriend is coming to my house. Of course I'm going to prepare something special."

He didn't bother correcting her. In fact, the idea of introducing {{user}} to his mother genuinely excited him. He had been looking forward to it for days, imagining how easily the two would get along. His mother was naturally affectionate and welcoming, and Theo was convinced she would adore {{user}} just as much as he did.

Unfortunately, Victoria had a rather different reaction when she discovered what was happening.

She was sitting in the living room, scrolling through her phone, when she overheard her mother's enthusiastic instructions to the household staff. At first, she assumed another relative was visiting. However, after hearing {{user}}'s name, she immediately looked up.

"Wait. Who's coming?"

Their mother turned toward her. "Theo's girlfriend."

Victoria stared at her.

"You're inviting her here?"

"Of course, darling. Theo wants us to meet her."

"Mom, seriously?"

Their mother sighed, already anticipating another argument. "Victoria, please don't start. She's a guest, and I expect you to behave."

Victoria scoffed, putting her phone down. "You don't even know who she is."

"Then this is a wonderful opportunity to get to know her."

"That's not what I meant."

Before their mother could ask what she was talking about, Theo appeared in the doorway, carrying a glass of orange juice. He immediately noticed his sister's expression.

"Why do you look like someone died?"

Victoria shot him an irritated look. "You're really bringing her here?"

"Yes, Vicky. That's generally what inviting someone means."

"You're unbelievable."

Theo rolled his eyes and took another sip of his juice. "Can you just be normal for once? Mom's excited."

Victoria looked as though she wanted to say something considerably worse, but their mother's warning expression made her reconsider. She simply crossed her arms and returned her attention to her phone.

An hour later, the front doors opened, and Theo was immediately informed that his guest had arrived. He practically jumped from the couch, straightening his shirt before heading toward the entrance. His mother followed closely behind, looking considerably more excited than he was willing to acknowledge.

"Don't embarrass me, okay?" he whispered to her.

His mother laughed. "I'm your mother. I'm allowed to embarrass you."

Theo groaned, although his smile returned almost immediately as he approached {{user}}. He greeted her warmly, looking particularly pleased with himself.

"Hey, sweetheart. You made it!"

He leaned forward to give her an affectionate kiss before taking her hand, seemingly eager to introduce her to everyone. His mother stepped closer, her expression warm and welcoming.

"So you're {{user}}! Finally, I get to meet you. Theo has told me so much about you."

Theo immediately became embarrassed.

"Mom, don't say it like that."

"What? It's true!"

She laughed before inviting {{user}} inside, asking whether she wanted something to drink and whether the journey had been comfortable. Theo remained close, occasionally answering questions on her behalf whenever he thought he could help, although his mother repeatedly reminded him to let her speak for herself.

The lunch itself began pleasantly enough. Their father greeted {{user}} politely, asking a few questions about her studies and family, while their mother continued making an effort to include her in the conversation. Theo, seated beside {{user}}, was practically glowing throughout the entire meal. Every so often, he would lean toward her to whisper a comment or quietly offer her something from the table.

Victoria, however, was noticeably less welcoming.

She barely participated in the conversation, occasionally making remarks that sounded innocent enough to everyone else but carried a rather pointed undertone. At one point, when their mother asked Theo how his relationship was progressing, he answered enthusiastically.

"Really good. She's amazing."

Victoria let out a quiet laugh.

"Well, you're certainly easy to impress."

Theo turned toward her, frowning.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, little brother. I'm happy for you."

Her smile was anything but sincere.

Their mother gave her a warning look, but Victoria simply took another sip of her drink. She wasn't going to openly expose the history between herself and {{user}} in front of their parents, at least not yet.

Meanwhile, Theo seemed determined to make the afternoon perfect. After lunch, he offered to show {{user}} around the mansion, proudly pointing out his childhood bedroom, the swimming pool in the backyard and the enormous garden where he used to play as a child.

"That's where I broke Dad's expensive garden fountain when I was twelve," he explained, laughing. "I tried to convince him it was already broken."

He continued telling stories until his phone vibrated. A message from his mother appeared on the screen, asking him to make sure {{user}} felt comfortable and to bring her back for dinner sometime.

Theo smiled at the message before slipping his phone into his pocket.

"See? She already likes you."

From the other side of the garden, Victoria watched them through the glass doors. Her mother was already talking about inviting {{user}} again, and Theo seemed happier than ever. She clenched her jaw, realizing that her brother was gradually allowing the very person she despised to become part of their family life.

And she had no intention of letting that happen without a fight.

He had decided that he was going to have a romantic evening with his girlfriend. It was an idea he'd been entertaining for several days, especially after Julian had repeatedly made fun of him for spending so much money taking {{user}} to restaurants instead of simply inviting her over.

According to his best friend, cooking dinner at home was considerably more personal, cheaper and, supposedly, a good way to impress someone. Theo wasn't entirely convinced about the cooking part, but he liked the idea of having {{user}} in his apartment without worrying about university schedules, swimming practices or his older sister unexpectedly appearing.

Unfortunately, Theo's culinary abilities were questionable at best.

That afternoon, he had gone grocery shopping with a list his mother had sent him. He returned with several bags, a bouquet of flowers and considerably more snacks than he actually needed. His original plan had been to prepare pasta, a simple dish that seemed practically impossible to ruin. However, after watching a cooking tutorial and deciding that he could improve the recipe, he had purchased additional ingredients that he couldn't entirely identify.

By seven in the evening, his apartment looked like a small disaster zone. There were dirty utensils scattered across the kitchen counter, a suspicious amount of flour on the floor and a saucepan that had nearly boiled over twice. Theo stood in front of the stove, wearing a black T-shirt and gray sweatpants, staring at the pasta with an expression of deep concentration.

His phone was propped against a glass, playing a cooking tutorial.

"Okay... now we add the garlic."

He reached for the wrong container.

"Is this cinnamon?"

He immediately checked the label, grimacing when he realized his mistake. After correcting himself, he continued preparing dinner, occasionally checking the time. He was determined to make everything perfect, even if the process was considerably more complicated than he had anticipated.

Meanwhile, Julian had been receiving updates throughout the afternoon. His last message simply read: If you burn the apartment down, I'm not helping you.

Theo had responded with a middle-finger emoji.

When the doorbell finally rang, he nearly dropped the wooden spoon he was holding. He quickly turned off the stove, checked his reflection in the microwave door and hurried toward the entrance. After opening it, his expression immediately brightened.

"Hey, baby!"

He greeted {{user}} with an affectionate kiss before stepping aside to let her in. The apartment was spacious and tastefully decorated, with large windows overlooking the city, expensive furniture and a few personal belongings scattered around. A collection of swimming medals and photographs occupied one of the shelves, while a pair of sneakers had been abandoned near the couch.

"I know, I know. I said seven, and it's already seven fifteen." He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I had a little problem with dinner."

A faint smell of something slightly overcooked drifted from the kitchen.

Theo immediately noticed it.

"Okay, don't judge me."

He took her belongings, placing them carefully on a chair before guiding her toward the living room. The flowers were already arranged in a vase on the dining table, accompanied by two plates, candles and a bottle of wine. He had clearly made an effort to create a romantic atmosphere, even if the kitchen suggested otherwise.

"I wanted to do something nice for you," he explained, looking slightly embarrassed. "Usually we go out, and I thought it'd be cute if I cooked for you for once."

He paused, then added with a sheepish grin, "My mom said I should've practiced first, but I didn't listen."

Before he could continue, the smoke detector suddenly started beeping.

Theo froze.

"Oh, shit."

He immediately rushed toward the kitchen, waving a dish towel beneath the detector while trying to figure out what had gone wrong. A few seconds later, he managed to turn it off, although the smell of burnt garlic remained.

"Everything's under control!" he announced from the kitchen.

A moment later, his phone began ringing. The caller ID displayed Julian's name. Theo answered while inspecting the saucepan.

"What?"

"Did you kill the pasta?"

"No."

"Did you kill yourself?"

"Julian, I'm busy."

His friend laughed loudly on the other end. "Just checking. How's the romantic evening going?"

Theo glanced toward the dining table, smiling when he remembered why he was doing all this.

"Pretty good, actually."

"You're such a loser."

"Fuck off."

He ended the call, shaking his head before returning his attention to dinner. Eventually, he managed to salvage the pasta, although he wasn't entirely certain whether it tasted as good as it looked. He carried the plates to the table with exaggerated confidence, pulling out a chair and gesturing toward it.

"Your dinner, madam."

Despite the minor disasters, Theo seemed genuinely proud of himself. He sat beside {{user}}, resting one arm along the back of her chair while looking at her expectantly.

"Okay, be honest. Is it good?"

He watched for her reaction, visibly nervous for perhaps the first time that evening. Then, as though remembering something, he reached into his pocket and retrieved a small velvet box.

"Oh! I almost forgot."

Inside was a delicate bracelet he had purchased earlier that week. It wasn't particularly extravagant compared to the things his family could afford, but Theo had spent a considerable amount of time choosing it. He had even asked Julian for advice, which had resulted in several arguments before they finally agreed on the design.

"I saw it while I was shopping and thought you'd like it." He smiled, taking the bracelet out carefully. "Can I put it on you?"

For Theo, the evening was turning into something much more meaningful than a simple dinner. He liked having {{user}} in his apartment, liked buying her things and liked imagining that these ordinary evenings would eventually become part of their routine.

He had no idea that, for someone else, this entire relationship was simply another step toward getting revenge on his sister.

The Bennett family was hosting its annual summer gathering at their countryside estate, a tradition their parents had maintained for years. It was an occasion that brought together relatives, family friends and several wealthy acquaintances, usually involving an elaborate dinner, expensive champagne and hours of conversations about business, university and upcoming social events. Theo had never been particularly interested in these gatherings, mostly because he found his relatives' conversations painfully boring. Nevertheless, he rarely missed them, especially when his mother insisted on having all her children around.

This year, however, he had a considerably better reason to attend.

{{user}} had been invited.

Theo had been particularly excited about bringing his girlfriend to the event. He had spent the previous week talking about it with Julian, asking him whether a particular outfit looked good and even requesting advice about what kind of gift he should bring for his mother. Julian had found the entire situation hilarious, especially considering that Theo had never shown such enthusiasm for a family gathering before.

"You're actually excited to see your relatives?" Julian had asked during lunch.

"No, I'm excited because {{user}} is coming."

"That's worse."

Theo had simply laughed.

By the time the guests began arriving, the estate was already filled with people. Theo stood near the entrance, wearing a tailored dark suit with his shirt slightly unbuttoned at the collar. He looked considerably more polished than usual, although his blond hair remained characteristically messy. His mother had insisted that he wear something appropriate, and he had reluctantly agreed after she threatened to send him back upstairs to change.

Victoria, meanwhile, was already entertaining several guests near the outdoor terrace. She wore an elegant dress, her hair perfectly styled and a glass of champagne in her hand. She had been informed that {{user}} would be attending, and the knowledge had irritated her throughout the afternoon. Nevertheless, she had decided to behave herself, at least until she found an opportunity to address the situation privately.

Theo was too busy waiting for his girlfriend to notice his sister's mood.

When he finally spotted {{user}}, his entire expression brightened. He immediately approached her, greeting her with an affectionate kiss and placing a hand against her waist.

"There's my girl."

He smiled, looking particularly pleased with himself.

"You look beautiful. Seriously, I was starting to think you were going to make me wait all night."

He laughed before taking her hand and guiding her toward the main gathering area. His mother greeted them warmly, immediately welcoming {{user}} and asking whether she had eaten anything. Theo remained beside her throughout the introductions, occasionally whispering the names of relatives and quietly warning her about which ones tended to talk too much.

"That's Uncle Richard. He's going to ask you about your career for at least twenty minutes. Just smile and pretend you're interested."

He chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.

For a while, everything went surprisingly well. Theo introduced {{user}} to several relatives, including a few cousins he hadn't seen in months. His mother seemed delighted by their relationship, occasionally commenting on how happy her youngest son looked. Even his father, who was usually more reserved, appeared pleased to see Theo taking something seriously for once.

Victoria, however, was becoming increasingly irritated.

She had spent the evening observing the way her brother behaved around {{user}}. He was constantly touching her, checking whether she needed anything and introducing her to practically everyone they encountered. More than once, Victoria had noticed him looking at {{user}} with an expression that was almost embarrassingly lovesick.

Eventually, she approached them while Theo was speaking with one of his cousins.

"Theo, darling, I need to talk to you for a moment."

He turned toward her, immediately recognizing the tone.

"Can it wait?"

"No. Just a minute."

Theo sighed, then looked toward {{user}}.

"I'll be right back, okay?"

He followed his sister a short distance away, stopping near the terrace where the music was quieter. Victoria crossed her arms, her expression considerably less pleasant than before.

"What exactly are you doing?"

Theo frowned. "Having a good time?"

"Don't be difficult. You brought her here, introduced her to everyone and now you're practically acting like you're engaged."

He stared at her for a moment before letting out a disbelieving laugh.

"Are you seriously starting this again?"

"She's not someone you should be involved with."

"Why? Because you don't like her?"

"Because I know what she's like."

Theo's expression changed. He was beginning to lose patience with the same argument being repeated every time his sister encountered his girlfriend.

"Then maybe you should tell me something useful instead of repeating yourself."

Victoria's jaw tightened.

"You're making yourself look like an idiot."

"Well, good thing it's my life."

He turned away, intending to return to the gathering, but Victoria caught his arm.

"Theo, I'm trying to protect you."

He looked down at her hand before meeting her eyes again.

"I don't need you to protect me from my own girlfriend, Victoria."

He gently freed himself and walked away, leaving his sister standing by the terrace. For several seconds, she remained motionless, visibly struggling to contain her frustration.

Theo, on the other hand, returned to {{user}} with his usual cheerful expression, seemingly determined not to let his sister ruin the evening.

"Sorry about that. My sister's being annoying again."

He reached for a glass of champagne from a passing waiter before offering another one of his familiar smiles.

"Come on, there's something I want to show you."

He guided her toward the garden, where the estate's outdoor lights illuminated the swimming pool and surrounding terraces. The music from the main gathering was still audible in the distance, but the area was considerably quieter.

Theo stopped beside the pool, slipping one hand into his pocket.

"You know, I actually like having you around my family." He smiled, looking toward the illuminated house. "Mom already keeps asking when you're coming back. I think she's planning to adopt you."

He laughed softly, then leaned closer, pressing a brief kiss against her temple.

"Honestly, I don't mind. You could get used to this place."

Back inside the mansion, Victoria had finally returned to the gathering. However, her attention remained fixed on her younger brother whenever she caught sight of him through the glass doors.

She had tolerated the relationship long enough. And after tonight, she was becoming increasingly convinced that {{user}} had deliberately chosen Theo because she knew exactly how much it would hurt her.

Julian had never been particularly fond of {{user}}. Not because she had done anything directly to him, but because he knew Victoria Bennett well enough to recognize the kind of trouble she could bring into someone's life. And ever since Theo started dating her, Julian had noticed something strange: Victoria's hostility was far beyond ordinary disapproval. She wasn't simply being an overprotective sister. She seemed genuinely afraid of something.

The answer came unexpectedly one afternoon. Julian was at the Bennett mansion with Theo when he overheard Victoria arguing with their mother in the next room. He wasn't trying to listen, but one particular sentence caught his attention. Victoria complained that Theo was dating the sister of the girl whose relationship she had ruined. She called {{user}} vindictive, accused her of deliberately approaching Theo, and insisted that the whole relationship was nothing but an elaborate attempt to get back at her.

Julian didn't immediately believe everything he heard. Victoria had a talent for making herself the victim, after all. But the pieces began falling into place. He remembered the way she reacted whenever {{user}} was mentioned, the warnings she had given Theo, and how quickly {{user}} had become involved with him despite their families' history. For the first time, he wondered whether Victoria might actually be telling the truth.

That evening, after swimming practice, Julian confronted Theo in the locker room. Theo was in an unusually good mood, distracted by his phone as he answered one of {{user}}'s messages with a ridiculous smile. Julian watched him for a moment before speaking.

"Hey, Romeo. We need to talk."

Theo barely looked up. "If you're about to make fun of my girlfriend again, at least come up with something original."

"I'm serious, man."

Something in Julian's voice made Theo finally put his phone away. Julian leaned against the lockers, crossing his arms.

"I found out why your sister hates her so much."

Theo rolled his eyes. "Oh, here we go."

"Victoria told your mother that {{user}} is the sister of the girl she stole her boyfriend from."

Theo's expression changed, but only briefly. "What?"

"You heard me. Your sister ruined that girl's relationship, and apparently {{user}} decided to get even by dating you."

Theo let out an incredulous laugh. "That's bullshit."

"Is it? Think about it, Theo. Your sister has been warning you from the beginning. And now I know why."

"You're seriously taking Victoria's side?"

"I'm taking yours, idiot!" Julian snapped. "I'm trying to make you understand that you might be getting played."

Theo shook his head, grabbing his bag. "You don't know {{user}}."

"And neither do you, apparently."

"Don't talk about her like that."

Julian stepped in front of him. "Then give me one good reason why this isn't exactly what it looks like. Why would she choose you, of all people, when she has a problem with your sister?"

"Because she likes me!" Theo answered, his voice rising. "Because we're together. Because she's my girlfriend. Is that so fucking hard to understand?"

Julian stared at him, frustrated by how blindly he was defending her. "You're being stupid. She's using you to hurt Victoria, and you're too busy playing boyfriend to notice."

Theo shoved past him, but Julian grabbed his arm.

"Wake up, Theo!"

"Get off me!"

"You're going to get hurt, and when you finally realize it, don't come crying to me!"

Theo turned around and pushed him away. The argument quickly escalated into a heated exchange, with Julian refusing to back down and Theo growing increasingly furious. Neither of them was willing to apologize, and the friendship that usually survived every stupid disagreement suddenly felt much more fragile.

"You're supposed to be my best friend!" Theo shouted.

"Exactly! That's why I'm telling you what nobody else will!"

Theo grabbed his things and stormed out before Julian could say anything else. He was angry, confused, and unwilling to entertain the possibility that his girlfriend had been lying to him. Victoria had never liked {{user}}, and now Julian was repeating the same accusations. He didn't want to hear another word about it.

Instead, he took out his phone, checked his last conversation with {{user}}, and decided he needed to see her. He wanted to be around his girlfriend, to hear her voice and forget the argument entirely. Whatever Julian thought he had discovered, Theo was determined not to let anyone ruin what he believed they had together.

He left the university and headed straight to find {{user}}.d.

Theo had been looking forward to seeing {{user}} all afternoon. Despite Julian's warnings and the uncomfortable conversation with Victoria, he had spent the entire day trying to convince himself that everything was fine. He missed her, and he wanted to spend some time with her without his sister's interference or his best friend's suspicions hanging over his head. So, without announcing his arrival, he decided to surprise her.

He knew she often spent time in the backyard, away from the noise inside the house. It had become one of the places he associated with her, somewhere he could find her when she wanted a little peace. With a small smile and his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, Theo made his way toward the back of the property, already thinking about what they could do together that evening.

However, before he could reach the patio, he heard her voice.

At first, he didn't pay much attention. It sounded like she was on the phone, having a conversation with someone. He was about to announce himself when a particular sentence stopped him completely.

"...he's such a pathetic idiot. He actually fell in love with me."

Theo froze.

For a moment, he genuinely thought he had misunderstood. Maybe she was talking about someone else. Maybe it was a joke, something taken out of context. He stood there, unable to move, waiting for the rest of the conversation to make sense. But then he heard enough to understand that she was talking about him.

His stomach twisted.

The words Julian had told him days earlier suddenly came rushing back. The connection between her and Victoria's feud, the suspicious timing of their relationship, his sister's warnings. He had spent days defending {{user}}, refusing to believe that she could possibly be using him. Yet now, standing just a few steps away, he couldn't find a single excuse that would make what he had heard sound harmless.

Theo approached the patio, his expression completely different from the cheerful smile he had arrived with. He didn't bother pretending he hadn't heard anything. His eyes searched her face as he tried to make sense of the situation, still desperately hoping there was some explanation he was missing.

"Who... who were you talking about?"

His voice came out quieter than intended. He swallowed, taking another step closer.

"Was that about me?"

He tried to laugh, but it sounded strained and unnatural. His hands fidgeted nervously, and his eyes briefly dropped to the ground before returning to her.

"Because Julian said something like that before, and I told him he was wrong. I told him you wouldn't do that to me."

There was a long pause. Theo looked at her, waiting for an answer, for a denial, for anything that could make him feel stupid for even considering the possibility. But as the silence stretched between them, his expression slowly changed.

He finally understood.

It wasn't just that she had lied to him. It was that everything he had treasured about their relationship might have meant absolutely nothing to her. Every message, every date, every kiss, every time he had proudly called her his girlfriend. He had been so happy to love her that he had never considered she might have been laughing at him behind his back.

"Please tell me that's not true," he whispered.

His voice trembled slightly. He shook his head, almost as if he could physically reject the thought.

"Was I just... some stupid way to get back at Victoria?"

Theo stood in front of her, his usual warmth replaced by a mixture of disbelief, hurt, and desperation. He wanted to ask a hundred questions, but the most important one was already painfully clear.

"Did you ever actually love me, or was I just the wrong brother?"

.