Disgrace

Chapter 17: Teleserye

Katrina

Mason is doing his homework in my hospital room.

His brother is also here, sitting on the couch, casually consulting patients on his laptop as if this were some kind of shared workspace.

This is just great.

Ate Di had taken Theo home earlier, thank God. I told her I didn't want Gabby to know about my situation yet—I'd tell him when I was feeling better. My baby boy didn't need to worry, and I didn't want him losing sleep over me. Sabi ko kay Ate Di, sabihin na lang muna niya kay Gabby na nasa trabaho ako.

I could tell my sister had a lot of fucking questions, especially about who put me in the hospital for a..... UTI. I had a sinking feeling she assumed it was Jack. That would be the logical conclusion, right? The neurosurgeon courting her little sister? Except it made zero sense, given that Jack was in Japan when I was biting the damn pillows so hard to stop my moans that it could pass as my dinner.

And now, Jack's working while Mason's looking at me.

Mason sat on the couch across from my bed, his long legs stretched out, MacBook open on his lap. But it was painfully obvious he wasn't actually doing his assignment. His blue eyes never left me—intense, unreadable. His jaw was locked, hat turned backward, making him look even hotter than he had any right to.

I felt my throat dry up.

I coughed.

Mason immediately sat up, closing his laptop. "Kat, do you need water?" His voice was quick, alert, already standing before I could answer.

I shook my head. "No, I'm f-fine. Just d-dry throat."

He nodded and sat back down, but his fingers tightened around the water bottle like he wasn't convinced.

Jack glanced up from his screen, brows slightly raised. "Shouldn't it be Tita Kat or Ate Kat?"

My stomach twisted.

He can't. He can't call me that. Not when he's been inside me. Not when he's the reason I'm here in this damn hospital bed. Not when he's bent me over and made me scream his name so much that my bedroom walls probably have his name memorized.

"I'm American," Mason said smoothly, leaning back again. "Doesn't apply to me."

Jack chuckled, shaking his head. "It has to now. She's going to be your sister-in-law soon."

I choked.

Yes, that was another thing I learned today. Jack and Mason were brothers. Same father, different mothers. I had fucked the little brother of the man who was trying to court me. I honestly think the universe is trying to play me because what the fuck? As if Mason being my nephew's best friend wasn't enough.

Mason scoffed, his expression darkening. "No, she won't. I'm never gonna accept her as my sister-in-law."

Jack's smile tightened. "Mason, that's harsh. She is the woman that I love, and you are to respect that—"

"Oh my God, boys," a voice interrupted.

Both men snapped their heads toward the door as Vlanca strolled in, looking far too entertained by the mess unfolding in front of her.

"Oh, Dr. Del Russo-Arguello," Jack greeted, adjusting his posture. "Apologies. There's no pissing contest here. Just teaching my little brother some manners."

Mason's jaw twitched, but he didn't say a word.

"Yeah, sure." Vlanca's tone was flat, unconvinced, but her green eyes gleamed with amusement. "I'll just do a quick assessment on my patient."