My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 171: Don’t Do Anything Funny

The soft tick of the clock filled the quiet of the living room, layered only by the occasional clink of ice shifting in a glass of whiskey. Leonard sat hunched over on the edge of his couch, his tie loosened and blazer tossed carelessly over the backrest. His dress shirt clung slightly to his skin with the humidity that lingered despite the AC humming above them.

Claudio had made himself comfortable on the opposite end, his ankle resting over his knee, a glass of the same whiskey balanced on his knee. His sleeves were rolled up, as always, as if he couldn’t ever fully dress up even if he tried.

"You’ve been quiet again," Claudio said, not bothering to ease into it. "Even more than usual."

Leonard didn’t look up. He stared into his glass, watching how the amber light caught the liquor like it held answers. "Work’s been demanding."

"Uh-huh," Claudio replied with a dry smile. "Work’s always demanding. But that’s never stopped you from answering simple questions like, ’How are things with your wife?’"

Leonard tensed. His jaw twitched, fingers tapping once against the glass.

"Fine," he muttered.

Claudio scoffed, shaking his head. "Fine? That’s your answer?"

"I didn’t realize you came here to interrogate me," Leonard said sharply. He finally looked up, gaze hard but tired.

Claudio leaned back, unfazed. "I came here because I’m your brother. And because I’ve been stopping by for the past three weeks, and not once have you mentioned her without me bringing it up. It’s not like before, Leonard. She’s not just a name now. she’s your wife. And you’re acting like she’s furniture in your house."

Leonard looked away again, jaw tightening. "If you came here to pick a fight, you can leave."

"I came here because I care," Claudio snapped back, his voice rising a notch. "She’s not just your responsibility, Leonard. She’s a person. A woman you married. Do you even talk to her properly?"

Leonard didn’t answer.

Claudio rubbed his temples with a groan. "God, Leo. You’re a piece of work. She looks at you like she’s still holding out hope that you’ll turn into someone who gives a damn. And all you do is act like she’s in your way."

Leonard’s lips parted, then pressed into a firm line. "You don’t understand."

"Then make me understand."

There was a long pause. The kind of silence that pressed down on the chest like weight. Leonard stood up abruptly, walking over to the window, pulling the curtain aside with two fingers as he stared at the city lights.

"I didn’t ask for this," he said quietly.

"You didn’t ask for a lot of things," Claudio replied, calmer now. "But you’re not the only one."

Leonard tilted his head slightly. "You think I don’t know that? That she didn’t ask for it either? I know. But she plays this role like it’s going to save everything, and I..." He trailed off, swallowing back something bitter.

Claudio frowned. "You what?"

"I can’t do that," Leonard said. "I can’t pretend. I don’t know how to give her what she wants from me when I don’t even know what I’m supposed to feel anymore."

Claudio watched him for a long moment, his expression shifting into something more somber. "Is this about Dad?"

Leonard stiffened but didn’t answer.

Claudio stood now too, setting his glass on the coffee table as he crossed the room slowly. "Because if it is... I get it. I really do. He left a lot of weight on your shoulders. Expectations. Promises. The whole damn Ford name."

Leonard gave a short, humorless laugh. "He gave me a life mapped out to the last breath. I didn’t even have a choice in who I married."

"No," Claudio agreed. "But you had a choice in how you treated her."

That stung. Leonard’s back straightened, and he finally turned, eyes sharp. "Don’t you dare lecture me like you know everything."

"I don’t know everything," Claudio said, standing his ground. "But I know what I see. I see a man who’s so afraid of feeling anything that he’s shutting himself down before anyone can reach him."

Leonard’s jaw clenched again. His shoulders rose and fell with a slow, irritated breath. "Why do you care so much?"

"Because Dad cared about her."

Leonard blinked. "What?"

"You think he just arranged this marriage because of some old promise?" Claudio said quietly. "He liked her. Respected her. He saw something in her, something good for you. Maybe he hoped she’d be your turning point."

Leonard looked away again, his throat tightening at the memory of his father’s heavy hand on his shoulder, the words his fatjer ever told him: "She’ll be your anchor, son. If you let her."

"He told me he was at peace with the decision. With you marrying her. Said it was the one thing he didn’t regret."

Leonard exhaled, but it felt like something punched the air from his chest.

Claudio walked back toward the couch, picking up his drink again. "I’m not saying it’ll be easy. But she’s not the problem, Leo. You are."

Leonard didn’t respond. He stood quietly, shadows of city lights crawling up the walls behind him.

Then Claudio looked over his shoulder and added, "And I swear, if you pull anything funny. If you hurt her, or push her too far again, I won’t stay quiet."

Leonard raised an eyebrow. "Are you threatening me?"

Claudio smiled, almost fondly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "No. Just reminding you someone’s watching."

Leonard’s lips curved into a ghost of a smirk. "You’re dramatic."

"Comes with being the charming older brother."

The faintest chuckle escaped Leonard’s lips, though his eyes remained heavy.

Claudio made his way to the door, grabbing his coat. "Think about what I said. Before it’s too late."

Leonard nodded once, slowly. "I will."

Claudio paused at the door, looking at his brother one last time.

"Don’t do anything funny, Leo. I’m dead serious."

Then he left.

And Leonard all alone again surrounded by silence, haunted by his father’s hopes, and his brother’s warning.