CHAPTER 170: I DON’T LOVE YOU LIKE A BROTHER.

With a swift motion, Charles pushed himself away from Augustine and spun around to face the door.

But it was too late—Aubrey had already stepped in, her sharp eyes narrowing as they locked onto the exact moment their lips parted.

"What the fuck! You both are now practicing your gay act in your place of work?" Aubrey snapped, a bitter scoff rolling off her tongue as her heels clicked louder with each step deeper into the office.

Charles sighed, brushing a hand through his hair—partly in relief that it was Aubrey and not one of Augustine’s employees, and partly in exasperation.

"Well, good morning to you too," Charles muttered under his breath before glancing at Augustine who looked just as unbothered by her presence as he did.

"What are you doing here, Aubrey?" Augustine asked, his voice sharp as he slipped both hands deep into his trouser pockets. His gaze was unreadable, cold and detached. "And close my damn office door while you’re at it," he added flatly, not even blinking.

Aubrey ignored Augustine’s words, rolling her eyes with an exaggerated sigh before adjusting the short jean skirt that barely clung to her thighs, tugging it down slightly as if it would make a difference.

Aubrey wore a white belly shirt that revealed her belly button, paired with a blue jean skirt that stopped halfway down her thighs.

Her black hair was neatly packed into a sleek ponytail, a pair of jean handbags dangling from her hand, while her long white boots hugged her legs and ended just above her knees.

"It’s been a while since I last saw you," Aubrey purred, her voice thick with feigned sweetness as she took a few more bold steps into the office, deliberately ignoring Augustine’s command.

"I’m so glad you regained consciousness... I was starting to get really worried about our future," she added, flashing a smug smile, her eyes flickering briefly to Charles with a glint of something wicked.

As Aubrey closed the distance, she stood directly in front of Charles, letting a sly, devilish smirk curl at the corner of her lips. "Get out of my sight," she seethed, shoving Charles harshly to the side without a second thought.

"Hey!" Augustine’s voice cracked through the room, sharp and icy. "Don’t you ever disrespect my man like that again!" he snapped, the intensity in his tone so fierce it made Aubrey flinch, her smug expression faltering as she instinctively straightened where she stood.

Quickly, Augustine closed the distance, his hands finding their way to Charles’ shoulders as his eyes roamed over him with concern. "Hey... are you alright?" he asked, his once cold tone now melting into something tender and seductively soft.

Charles gave a small nod, his lips curving into a faint smile. "I... I’m good," he whispered, his voice laced with warmth.

Aubrey, whose back was turned to them as she kept her gaze fixed on Augustine’s office chair, let out a low, mocking scoff.

’Disgusting,’ she mused inwardly, rolling her eyes with visible irritation.

With a dramatic sigh, Aubrey slowly placed her hands on her waist, twisting her hips slightly before turning around to face Augustine and his lover, Charles—her eyes burning with unspoken contempt.

"Augustine... I can now tell that your partner has brainwashed you so badly, you’ve completely lost your grip on reality," Aubrey seethed, her voice laced with venom as her cold gaze drilled into him.

Augustine scoffed, his jaw tightening.

He let go of Charles’ shoulder and moved forward, positioning himself right in front of Charles—like a shield, firm and unyielding, ready to take on the world if it meant protecting the man behind him.

"Aubrey... we’ve been best friends since we were kids. You were the sister I never had, the only one I could truly be myself with," Augustine began, his voice low but heavy with restrained emotion. "I loved you like family... I thought you loved me the same. So why, Aubrey? Why are you hurting me like this? And worse—how can you do it so boldly, like it means nothing?"

"Augustine... when exactly did I hurt you?" Aubrey asked, her tone laced with mock innocence. "Everything I do is for your own good. And no—don’t get it twisted—I don’t love you like a brother. I love you like a man... a man who’s meant to be mine."

Augustine swallowed hard, a bitter taste coating his tongue. He hated the way Aubrey twisted things, hated how she stood there so sure of herself—unapologetic, blind to the damage she caused.

Sigh!

"I’m gay, Aubrey," Augustine snapped, his voice sharp with finality. "Stop this delusional nonsense and go find someone who will actually treat you right."

He raised his index finger, pointing it directly at her, his eyes burning with restrained fury. "What exactly do you expect a gay man to give you? Love? Sex?" He spat the words with disgust. "You’re chasing a fantasy, and it’s pathetic."

Aubrey frowned, her hands dropping from her hips in frustration. "A gay man can still love, Augustine. Some have even changed—become bisexual. I’ve read articles, seen real-life stories. Some just need the right woman to awaken that part of them. It’s all about mindset—"

"Stop!" Augustine barked, cutting her off mid-sentence. His voice echoed through the office, sharp enough to slice through steel.

"Do not reduce my sexuality to some temporary phase or mindset. This isn’t some damn experiment, Aubrey!"

He took a step closer, his tone ice cold. "I’m not broken. I don’t need fixing. And your obsession with trying to change who I am? That’s not love—it’s control."

"Augustine, I can fix you. I promise that I can."

"Oh, stop it, Aubrey! Just stop that bullshit of yours!" Augustine snapped, his voice laced with fury. "Last night, I went to see my parents—and I’m still stunned by the lengths you’re willing to go. Do you really think manipulating everyone around me will force me to love you?" He seethed, his eyes sharp with disbelief.

Charles who stood behind Augustine tilted his brows upwards. ’What exactly did Aubrey do?’ He questioned himself with a frown.