Maddie arched a brow, giving Bailee a slow once-over. "You're the head of finance?"

Bailee nodded, a polite smile fixed in place. "Yes, Ms. Mills. If you need anything, just say the word. Archer—Mr. Williams—is in a meeting right now, but I'll make sure any message you have reaches him."

Maddie let out a soft laugh. "That won't be necessary."

Her gaze stayed fixed on Bailee, glinting with amusement. "I'm here for you, not Archer."

Bailee's smile flickered, but she recovered fast, her voice gentle. "Ms. Mills, I understand you might be upset about last night's auction, but there's really no need to worry about my relationship with Mr. Williams. After all..."

She lifted her hand. A diamond ring caught the light, and a touch of shyness softened her smile. "I'm happily married."

Maddie stared at the ring. For a moment, she couldn't breathe. It was almost ironic—of the three of them, she was the outsider.

The ring was a perfect match to the one Archer had used to propose to her. An exact replica.

But after a beat, Maddie looked away.

"The ring's charming, but you misunderstand."

She spoke slowly. "I'm only here for a copy of the latest financial report. Nothing more."

Maddie noticed the shift in Bailee's expression, her face turning slightly sour. Maddie smiled to herself. "Seems you're the one feeling the pressure, Ms. Wagner."

Bailee's expression shifted entirely. The earlier hint of pride vanished from her eyes. She bit her lip, momentarily speechless.

Maddie watched her casually. "Ms. Wagner, shall I repeat my request?"

Before Bailee could respond, Archer walked in briskly. His expression hardened at the scene. "Maddie, wasn't last night's incident enough for you?"

His voice was cold and stern. "When are you going to stop this? I've already told you, Bailee and I have nothing going on. If you're not convinced—"

Before he could finish, Maddie cut him off.

"I believe you. Of course I do."

A slight smile touched her lips, but her eyes were icy as they landed on Bailee. "Ms. Wagner just told me she's already married."

The words had barely left her lips before both Bailee's and Archer's expressions changed dramatically. Archer shot Bailee a furious glare. Bailee's eyes instantly filled with tears.

Maddie had no interest in watching the drama unfold further. She spoke calmly, "I'm here to get this year's financial report. Considering I own 40% of the company, surely that's not too much to ask?"

Archer snapped back to reality. "Of course you can!"

He immediately instructed the secretary to fetch the report, then carefully watched Maddie's expression. He looked relieved when it didn't betray anything unusual.

"Maddie, what's prompted this sudden interest? You've never been involved with company affairs."

Maddie replied nonchalantly, "My account was frozen last night. I think it's wise to have independent accounts."

Archer's expression froze again. "Maddie..."

The secretary quickly returned with the report. Maddie ignored Archer, gave the documents a brief check, and prepared to leave. Archer caught her arm.

"Maddie, are you coming home with me for dinner tonight?"

His tone was earnest, seeking reassurance that she hadn't suspected anything.

Without turning around, Maddie replied calmly, "Sure."

Archer's face brightened. "I'll pick you up after work."

Maddie lowered her gaze, suppressing the indifference in her eyes.

She had agreed to visit the family home with a singular purpose.

When Archer had first arranged their marriage certificate, he'd insisted on keeping it at the family home for safekeeping. The document he had given her could help establish how he had deceived her. Her attorney would still need certified marriage records to determine whether bigamy or fraud could be proved.

Maddie didn't wait for Archer to pick her up. She took a cab to the house herself.

She expected a regular family dinner, but the gathering was exceptionally large. Archer's parents, who had been vacationing overseas last week, had returned, and even the extended Williams family was present.

"Maddie."

Upon seeing her, Eliza glanced behind her. "Archer didn't come with you?"

Maddie replied calmly, "He'll be here soon."

Eliza clicked her tongue, showing clear disapproval. "Archer has indulged you too much. On such an important day, letting someone like you come alone is unacceptable."

Maddie frowned slightly.

Though she and Archer had been promised to each other as children, after her mother passed, her family's fortunes dwindled while the Williams' thrived. From then on, Eliza had tried more than once to break off the engagement.

But the Williams patriarch was an upright, principled man who firmly opposed such opportunistic behavior, and Archer had insisted on marrying Maddie. That forced Eliza to reluctantly accept the marriage.

Even so, Eliza hadn't eased up on Maddie after the wedding.

Just as Eliza was about to continue, the butler hurried in and whispered, "He's here."

Eliza immediately forgot about Maddie, standing up in haste as the extended Williams family quickly followed suit to greet their guest.

The formality of the occasion caught Maddie off guard.

The Williams were already considered a top-tier family in their circle. Whoever warranted such a solemn welcome must be significant...

Maddie glanced up, spotting a sleek black Maybach pulling up in front of the house. An attendant swiftly opened the car door, and a tall figure stepped out.

The man was dressed in a dark suit, his features sharply defined, with piercing eyes and a presence commanding enough to make others wary of meeting his gaze.

The crowd rushed to greet him, but the man remained impassive. His strikingly handsome face was as calm as if carved from ice. He briefly glanced in Maddie's direction.

Caught off guard, Maddie's heart skipped a beat as their gazes locked.

It was Declan, Archer's brother.

Declan had returned to the country.

Though he carried the title of brother, Declan's relationship with the Williams family wasn't close. He had left for abroad years ago, expanding the family's business globally. Meanwhile, the Williams father was more of a spendthrift than a businessman, and the patriarch, while capable, was growing too old to handle everything alone, leaving the reins firmly in Declan's hands.

Maddie exhaled quietly. No wonder the turnout was so large today.

They were all here for Declan.

Maddie Mills hovered quietly in the corner of the living room, watching the relatives gravitate toward Declan Williams like eager kids crowding Santa at a holiday party. Archer Williams stood beside Eliza Sanchez, flashing his brother a polite smile.

Just moments ago, the uncles had been falling over themselves to praise Archer. Now their attention swung to Declan, their faces bright with eager smiles.

"Declan, what brings you home so suddenly?"

"Heard you've been busy buying up a company in Europe. You get more impressive by the day, Declan."

"Come in, sit down. We brewed our best Arabica for you."

Archer's expression flickered at the shift, but he recovered fast, leading the way with a bright, easy smile.

Maddie watched Declan get ushered in like a celebrity. Instinctively, she stepped back, letting the crowd swallow her at the edges. She shuffled sideways, making room for others, trying to fade into the background.

Declan Williams strode in like he owned the room, his presence a world apart from Archer's upbeat charm. There was something brooding and aloof about him—like a towering tree dusted with snow. Striking, yet untouchable.

He nodded at the praise, his gaze drifting across the room with cool detachment.

But the second his gaze landed on Maddie, he froze.

"Something wrong, Declan?" Archer asked, stopping beside him.

Declan didn't answer. His eyes settled on Maddie, and though the look lasted only a heartbeat, she felt strangely exposed.

She and Declan had barely ever spoken, yet something about his presence rattled her.

Archer and the others followed his line of sight. Archer's brow lifted.

"Maddie, come say hi to your brother-in-law."

Maddie had barely readied herself to move when Declan beat her to it and walked toward her.

The move caught everyone off guard—especially Archer. Until now, people came to Declan. Not the other way around.

Declan's eyes gave nothing away. "Maddie?"

Maddie's pulse kicked up under his attention, like a sudden breeze against her skin.

She hadn't expected him to speak to her directly, not after so many years of near silence between them.

She nodded. "Declan. It's been a long..."

Before she could finish, Declan extended his hand.

The gesture looked utterly natural.

Instinctively, Maddie took it, their palms meeting.

The moment their hands touched, his grip tightened just a fraction. His thumb brushed across her fingers, leaving a slow, lingering warmth.

A second later, he let go.

Archer slid in smoothly, wrapping an arm around Maddie's waist and lacing his fingers through hers at her side.

"How long are you in town this time, Declan? Maddie and I should take you out to dinner."

Declan's gaze dropped to their joined hands, then to Archer's arm around her waist. "About a month."

Just then, the Williams family patriarch started down the stairs, the butler at his elbow.

Declan went to speak with him, and soon after, dinner was announced.

Maddie followed Archer to their seats on the left side of the main table.

As everyone settled, Declan and Archer took their places at the head of the table. The patriarch sat in the center, Eliza Sanchez and Declan on either side. Maddie and Archer were farther down—Maddie directly across from Declan.

Dinner unfolded with the conversation orbiting Declan and his latest victories. Maddie ate quietly, but she couldn't help listening.

Wall Street powerhouse. Top shareholder in Amazon. Financial dealmaker. Founder of a smart-transport AI...

Every title painted the same picture: a man with a remarkable career.

She remembered seeing his name on a Wall Street invitation list, near the top while hers sat at the very bottom.

They'd barely crossed paths over the years, but she remembered her wedding day. This elusive brother-in-law had shown up just long enough to hand over a gift—then vanished.

In only a few years, Declan had become a major player on Wall Street. There was no denying what he was capable of.

As dinner wound down, guests drifted around over dessert.

Maddie remembered why she'd come: the marriage certificate. She excused herself, claiming she needed to change upstairs.

Archer, still distracted by Declan, waved her off without looking. "Go ahead."

Maddie slipped upstairs to Archer's room on the third floor.

There it was. A framed copy of the marriage certificate Archer had given her, displayed beside their wedding photo.

Maddie walked toward it, her mind replaying every intimate moment between Archer and that other woman. Her fingers curled tight as she reached for the frame.

The official-looking seal seemed to mock her for being so naive.

She never should have gone easy on him. Never should have given Archer another chance.

Once a cheater, always a cheater.

Swallowing her disgust, Maddie dragged a swivel chair over and carefully climbed onto it.

She smoothed down her pearl-white dress and reached up.

Her fingertips grazed the air just two inches from the frame.

Maddie rose onto her toes, straining, but the frame stayed just out of reach.

Frowning, she scanned the room from her perch and grabbed a book from beside the cabinet. The moment she leaned over, footsteps echoed down the hall.

Quick. Decisive. A man's footsteps.

Her heart pounded. She tried to climb down, but her sleeve caught on the edge of the cabinet.

She yanked at it, caught off guard when the door swung open.

Maddie froze. Her balance tipped, and she tumbled backward off the chair.

A startled cry broke from her lips, but the fall never came.

A strong hand caught her thigh, another steadied her waist, pulling her into a firm hold.

She landed against a solid chest, the musky scent of sandalwood wrapping around her.

It wasn't Archer's scent.

She looked up and nearly bumped into his chin.

Declan released her at once and stepped back, giving her room.

Her face burned, the warmth of his hand on her thigh lingering with embarrassment.

She stumbled over her words. "Th-thank you."

Declan's steady gaze flicked over her flushed face and the red mark where he'd gripped her. His Adam's apple bobbed.

"I didn't realize anyone was up here. Sorry."

Maddie shook her head, embarrassment climbing hotter up her neck.

She was the one who'd inconvenienced him.

Declan glanced up. "Need help with that?"

Her eyes followed his.

The framed marriage certificate sat exposed on top of the cabinet.

Maddie didn’t beat around the bush. “I want to take the marriage certificate down.”

Declan paused, didn’t ask why, and moved the chair out of the way. With his height, he reached up and pulled the document down with ease.

His eyes skimmed the writing. Something flickered across his face—there and gone—before the faintest smile tugged at his lips. He handed it to Maddie. “I get it.”

Maddie didn’t quite catch what he said, but she still murmured, “Thank you, Declan.”

Her palms were already slick. Even with the certificate in her hands, a chill crawled down her spine. The official letterhead was a slap in the face—proof of a sham marriage, one built on Archer’s emotional games and always, always someone else.

From where Declan stood, he could only see the top of her head. Her hands were bone-white, clutching the certificate so hard the color had drained from them.

“What are you going to do with it?” Declan asked, voice low.

“Uh, I just— I want to take it home,” Maddie said, the excuse sliding out too fast.

Declan’s gaze swept over her, warm in a way he didn’t put into words. But his hands stayed at his sides. He adjusted his cufflinks, slow and deliberate, then turned away.

Maddie let out a shaky breath and leaned against the cold cabinet. The warmth of his touch still lingered on her thigh. She hurriedly smoothed down her dress, tucked the certificate into her purse, and made sure everything looked exactly as it had before she left the room.

Out in the garden, Archer was still chatting with the guests. Maddie schooled her expression into calm and went to his side.

A few relatives were gathered around Archer.

“I heard Declan got back a few days ago, but he only told us today.”

Archer blinked. “Didn’t he just get here today?”

“No, he might’ve been at a conference or something. I overheard someone say they saw him at the Grand Auction House two nights ago.”

“He couldn’t have been there. I was there that night, and I didn’t see him,” Archer said, confused.

Maddie’s lashes flickered, but her face gave nothing away.

The memory of the mysterious guest in room 317 suddenly resurfaced.

Could Declan have been the one who helped her?

She shoved the thought away. They’d met only once, and only through their in-law connection. Even with that tie, it was unlikely Declan would step in for her.

Archer insisted he hadn’t heard any rumors like that, which made Declan’s involvement seem even less likely.

Maddie brushed the speculation aside. After a round of small talk, the crowd began to thin.

Archer steered her toward Declan to say their goodbyes.

“Mom, Declan, we’re heading out. Let’s all get together for a meal soon,” Archer said with practiced politeness.

Declan leaned back in his chair, all easy confidence, and gave a slight nod. “I’m pretty swamped with acquisitions right now, so no rush on the gathering. But you…”

He paused, his eyes darkening. “Be careful to steer your life in the right direction.”

The warning was impossible to miss.

Archer, used to living in his brother’s shadow, tensed, but kept his tone casual. “I’m running the company just fine. You’re welcome to check our financials anytime.”

“It’s not just about the company,” Declan said, taking a slow sip of coffee.

Maddie caught herself glancing at him, hit by a fleeting, ridiculous thought.

Despite what Archer said, Declan seemed to know far too much about the family’s business. Did he know about Archer’s extracurriculars?

“I understand, Declan. I’ll take care of my marriage and our life together,” Archer said, gripping Maddie’s hand hard, smile pasted on his face.

Declan’s gaze lingered on their joined hands, then slid away. He nodded once.

Maddie was done with Archer’s touch. She pulled her hand free on instinct, caught his incredulous look, and watched him reach for her again.

She knew making a scene would embarrass him, so she didn’t even glance at Declan and just kept walking.

In the car, Archer’s polite mask slipped, replaced by his usual careless attitude. He yanked his tie loose, frustration bleeding through. “Always lecturing me like he’s God’s gift. Been that way since we were kids.”

“So what if he’s thriving abroad? I’m doing just fine here. Who in all of London would dare challenge me?”

Archer automatically pulled out a menthol cigarette, hesitated when he looked at Maddie, and put it away.

“For years, everyone acts like my company only thrives because of him. Why does he always get all the credit?”

“And you—earlier, refusing to hold my hand, trying to make me look like a fool in front of him?”

Archer’s anger was plain in his icy tone.

Maddie frowned. She knew about Archer’s reckless behavior—and she knew Declan’s influence was the safety net beneath it. She’d once thought the brothers were close, but Archer had a serious rebellious streak when it came to Declan.

Most things she could overlook. Pretending in front of Declan, though? Absolutely unnecessary.

Maddie clutched the purse with the marriage certificate inside, her patience fraying. “It’s been a long time since we held hands. It feels... unfamiliar.”

The car went dead silent.

Honestly, even Maddie couldn’t remember the last time they’d been intimate.

Archer scowled and snapped his cigarette in half. “What the hell are you saying?”

Maddie met his eyes, voice steady. “Let’s avoid unnecessary closeness. It’s uncomfortable.”

Before she could finish, brakes screeched through the air.

The car jerked to a stop on an empty stretch of road.

Maddie nearly smashed into the window, her heart hammering. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Archer leaned over and grabbed her chin, displeasure flashing in his eyes.

“Maddie, do you even hear yourself?”

Maddie winced. The whole situation was getting more and more absurd. She struggled to shove him off.

“Am I wrong? Do you even remember the last time we held hands?”

His gaze darkened, like she’d hit a nerve. “Are you falling for Declan’s charm too? Avoiding me so you can cut ties?”

“Archer! What the hell are you talking about?” Maddie’s anger surged, and she pushed harder. “Don’t blame your past screwups on me!”

Archer, already raw from living in Declan’s shadow, only grew more intense the more Maddie fought him.

He suddenly dipped his head and forced his mouth over hers.

Maddie’s eyes flew wide. She turned her head, trying to escape, pushing against his shoulders with everything she had.

The thought of how many times he must have kissed Bailee made her stomach turn. She bit him. Hard.

The bite snapped Archer back to himself. Regret flooded his eyes as he realized what he was doing.

Blood welled on his lip, but he still reached for her. “I’m sorry—I’m sorry, Maddie, sweetheart. I lost control…”

Maddie sagged back into the passenger seat, exhausted. A wave of desolation and disgust washed over her.

An embrace she’d once treasured now made her skin crawl.

“Let go of me.”

Her voice came out a hoarse whisper. “Archer, don’t make me hate you.”