Hazel's POV

Suddenly, Celeste erupted into laughter. "Imagine discovering it was his twin you were dating all along. Now that would be a shocker!"

"Don't be ridiculous!" I chuckled, rolling my eyes and shaking my head. "Anyway, I should go. I need to get ready or I'll be late."

"Okay, call me later. I want to hear all about your future in-laws, especially your charming future brother-in-law," she teased.

I grinned, rolling my eyes playfully. "Sure thing. See you."

***

As I stepped onto the grounds of the Matthews mansion, Jayden appeared in the garden to welcome me. With a gentle grasp, he took my hand, guiding us toward the living room, where the housekeeper guided us inside with a polite nod.

Entering the room, we were met with warm greetings from a middle-aged couple. The man, with smoky gray hair and eyes as blue as the ocean, exuded a magnetic charm. Despite his age, he possessed a striking allure and charisma that was impossible to ignore.

As I met the gaze of the middle-aged man, a familiar glint in his eyes evoked memories of to the early days of my relationship with Jayden. There was no denying the resemblance between the twins and their father.

Jayden's mother greeted me with a warm smile, her husband's hand gently resting on her lower back, drawing her close. Despite our brief acquaintance, their affection for each other was palpable.

Draped in a navy blue wrap dress, Jayden's mother exuded elegance and beauty. Her brown hair, highlighted with strands of blonde, framed her face, while her brown eyes sparkled with warmth and kindness.

"Hazel, allow me to introduce you to my parents," Jayden's voice held a note of formality as he made the introductions. "This is my mother, Mira Matthews, and my father, Draco Matthews." His gaze shifted from me to them. "And this is my girlfriend, Hazel Sullivan."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Hazel," Mira greeted warmly, her smile radiant.

"Nice to meet you, Hazel," Draco added with a friendly smile.

"Likewise," I replied softly.

"Where's Kade?" Jayden inquired, turning to his parents.

"He's in his room. He'll be joining us shortly," his mother answered softly.

"I'm here," Kade's voice announced his presence.

Jayden and I swiveled around at the sound of a familiar voice, a strange sense of déjà vu washing over me. It was uncanny, reminiscent of Jayden's voice but exuding a distinct confidence that set it apart from his twin's softer tone.

"Hazel, meet my brother, Kayden," Jayden introduced warmly as his twin approached.

"Nice to meet you," Kayden husked, extending his hand towards me.

"Likewise," I replied with a friendly smile, accepting his handshake. As our hands met, a subtle jolt shot through me, prompting a quick withdrawal. Kayden's smirk hinted that he'd felt it too.

"Shall we begin dinner?" Mira suggested softly.

Taking my place beside Jayden, I noticed Kayden seated across from me. Throughout the meal, I sensed his eyes drifting to me intermittently, yet whenever our gazes met, he quickly looked away.

"Is everything alright, Kade? You seem quiet tonight," Mira asked, her concern evident in her tone.

"Yeah," Kayden responded with a nod, his attention returning to his plate as he picked at his food.

"Hazel, Jayden mentioned you run an interior design company," Draco said with interest.

"Yes, Mr. Matthews."

"Just Draco will do," Jayden's father interjected, flashing a playful wink in my direction. I nodded, returning his smile.

"We're in the process of constructing a business center that will be completed soon. I'd like to collaborate with you. Your design for Anderson's mall project was truly exceptional and visually striking," Draco expressed with conviction.

"It would be my pleasure, Draco."

"Fantastic! Kayden's taking the lead on the project. You'll be partnering up with him," Draco exclaimed with enthusiasm. "He's been quite discerning, rejecting designs left and right from other interior designers. Kade's got high standards," he added, shooting a playful wink in Kayden's direction.

"Dad!" Kayden's scowl only made Draco chuckle.

"I'm confident that my team and I will deliver a design he'll love," I asserted boldly, earning a satisfied smile from Draco.

"Enough about work, everyone," Mira intervened. "Draco, you weren't this much of a workaholic in your youth," she teased with a mischievous grin.

"I'm still young," her husband declared with a hint of arrogance, playfully winking at her. Mira responded with an eye roll, her smile betraying her amusement.

After two hours with the Matthews family, I decided to go home. Jayden walked me to my car, his hand settling on the small of my back.

"Drive safely," Jayden said as I settled into the driver's seat.

I nodded, returning his smile. "Until next time."

Jayden flashed me a warm smile as he closed the door behind me. Returning the gesture, I waved before starting the engine and pulling away. As I drove, I caught sight of Mira and Draco peering through the window, prompting another wave and a smile before I disappeared down the road.

I found myself drawn to Jayden's family; their warmth and kindness left a lasting impression on me. While his parents seemed to welcome me with open arms, I couldn't shake the uncertainty surrounding Jayden's twin brother, Kayden. Throughout dinner, Kayden remained silent, his responses limited to monosyllabic words. His demeanor was cold and distant, a stark contrast to what I expected from a reputed womanizer. Weren't players supposed to be talkative, funny, and flirtatious? Kayden's behavior left me questioning everything I thought I knew about him.

"Whatever," I muttered, my voice barely audible over the hum of the engine, as I navigated the road ahead. With a sigh, I focused on the journey, my thoughts drifting away from him.

Kayden's POV

I groaned, keeping my eyes shut tight as the incessant ringing of my phone pierced the quiet of my penthouse. I had no desire to engage in conversation, but the persistent sound demanded attention.

With each ring, I reluctantly pushed myself upright on the couch, the clink of empty whiskey bottles scattered on the floor accompanying my movement. Swearing softly, I reached for my phone, fingers fumbling blindly until I located it. Without bothering to check the caller ID, I silenced the device and tossed it carelessly onto the cushions beside me.

Running my hand through my hair, I poured a glass of whiskey, the burn of alcohol offering little solace. I'd been drinking since afternoon, hoping to drown out thoughts of Hazel, but it only magnified them. The scenes from yesterday replayed relentlessly in my mind, the sight of the woman I loved wrapped up in my brother's arms was unbearable.

I struggled to restrain myself from tearing Hazel away from Jayden and revealing our secret to everyone, though I knew I had no right to do so. I willingly plunged myself into this mess, and now I was paying the price.

Collapsing back against the couch, I downed the last of my whiskey in swift gulps, the burn soothing my nerves momentarily. But as I set the glass down, the room began to sway around me.

"Damn it," I muttered, pressing my fingers to my throbbing temples, the dizziness worsening.

Forcing my eyes open, I focused on the elevator across the room, using the couch for stability as its doors slid open, signaling the arrival of an unexpected visitor.

"Kayden! Why haven't you been answering our calls? We've been worried sick," Jayden's voice carried a mix of frustration and concern as he marched over to me.

"Because I'm busy," I retorted with a cocky smirk, leaning lazily towards the whiskey bottle. With a careless pour, some of the amber liquid splashed onto the table. "Damn it!" I cursed under my breath, irritated by the spill. Ignoring the mess, I settled back, taking a sip of my drink after setting the bottle down.

"Kade? You alright?" Jayden's concern was evident as he settled into the armchair beside the couch.

"I'm peachy," I retorted with a smirk, finishing off my drink with a flourish. Placing the glass on the center table with a clatter, I grimaced. "Just the room doing somersaults. I swear, next time I'll lodge a complaint about this shoddy building," I grumbled, reaching for the whiskey bottle, only for my brother to snatch it away.

"Hand it over!" I snapped, irritation coloring my tone.

"Enough," my brother declared firmly, rising from his seat and striding toward the kitchen, clutching the bottle in his grasp.

"Hand it over!" I commanded, my tone laced with authority as I attempted to rise and follow him. But a wave of dizziness overwhelmed me, causing me to stumble and collapse.

"Kayden!" My twin dashed to my side, his face etched with concern. "Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?" he asked anxiously.

"Yes, it hurts," I admitted sorrowfully, placing a hand over my heart and pursing my lips.

"What?" Jayden's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why did you drink so much?" He shook his head, reaching out to help me to my feet.

"No, just let me be," I insisted firmly, pushing his help away and sinking onto the carpet.

"Kade, please. You need to rest," my brother pleaded, gripping my arm in an attempt to lift me up.

"Stop it, Jayden! Just leave me alone, damn it! Go be with your girlfriend!" I snapped, wrenching my arm from his grasp in frustration.