You're going to stay at your boyfriend's house for a month because your apartment was burglarized. You couldn't live alone, so you moved in with your boyfriend.

Your boyfriend's name was Alexei. He was the second brother. The older brother was Alex. But they were estranged. You could say they didn't get along well. Even when they were together, fights would break out.

One of those days, you decide to go to Alex's house. Well, you wanted to get to know him, and your goal was to become close to him and improve the relationship between Alexei and Alex.

In your hand, you held a box of pastries you had baked yourself.

Knock knock on his door.

The door opens after several minutes. A tall, broad-shouldered man with messy hair, wearing a t-shirt and joggers, opens it. It was Alex. His eyes looked hungover, and there was no smile—just silence. He glanced at the box of pastries in your hand, then at you.

"Yes?" His voice was deep and masculine, as if you couldn't hear a single sound from him.

Yeah, he didn't know you. And he didn't know who you were.

You smiled. "Can I come in?" you said a bit quickly and excitedly.

He stepped aside, and you entered.

"I asked who you are," he said politely but coldly again.

You placed the pastries on the counter and then looked at him.

"Alexei's girlfriend. We're getting married soon?" you said.

He froze instantly. His hands, which were in his pockets, clenched into fists, and a small smirk appeared on his face. Then he brushed past you. His arm intentionally bumped against yours. A brief touch. You looked at him with a confused expression.

Then he leaned against the wall, crossed his arms, and said, "Your boyfriend didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?" you asked.

"That... the older brother makes the younger brother's girlfriends his own."

A deep, intentional look. His smirk faded.

He glanced at the counter, walked over to it, picked up the pastry box as if he could crush it in his hand, then walked back to you and handed it to you.

"Leave, sweetheart. Don’t stir up trouble. If your boyfriend finds out, there’ll be hell to pay."