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.”

Archer froze for a beat, his grip going slack, knuckles bone-white. A humorless laugh slipped out, a thin mask over whatever was trying to surface. "Maddie, you're something else." Then he punched the gas. The rest of the drive passed in dead silence.

Back at the house, Archer made a beeline for the shower. Maddie, purse in hand with the marriage certificate inside, started upstairs—but the phone behind her shrilled. She hesitated, then picked it up.

The screen showed just the letter "B." Maddie squinted. Every instinct screamed at her. Bailee. She swiped to answer.

A voice sickly sweet oozed through the line. "Darling, I miss you."

"Why so quiet, honey?"

Maddie found it almost funny, her tone dripping sarcasm. "Miss Wagner, your timing is impeccable. Archer's in the shower. Let me grab him for you."

Dead air. "Why is it you?" Bailee's voice wobbled.

Maddie kept climbing the stairs. A moment later, Archer came hurrying out in a robe, water still clinging to his chest. He looked rattled, stopping short when he saw Maddie. His eyes dropped to her hand. "Maddie..."

"Miss Wagner wants a word," Maddie said, arching a brow, and handed him the phone.

Guilt flickered over Archer's face. He took the phone and started to retreat upstairs. Maddie's voice stopped him cold from behind. "Need to hide to take a call?"

Archer froze mid-step, turning to face her. "No. I just didn't want to bother you."

"I'm not bothered. Put it on speaker. Let's hear why Miss Wagner is calling so late, acting all sweet on you."

Maddie leaned against the banister, arms crossed, watching him with a flicker of amusement.

Archer paused. "She must've dialed the wrong number."

His voice into the phone was clipped, detached. "Bailee, watch your number next time. Don't create misunderstandings."

He hung up and looked back at Maddie, a hint of apprehension in his eyes. "Maddie, it was a mistake. Don't read into it. She's married now too. There's nothing between us."

Maddie said nothing and brushed past him. After her shower, she lay in bed, hyperaware of Archer beside her, tucking the blanket around her. He picked up his phone and started replying to messages. The glow irritated Maddie's eyes as she squinted.

She caught a glimpse of his messaging app—an account under a different name. Bailee was saved as "Baby."

Bailee had messaged: [Archer, why was your phone with her? I was so scared.]

Archer typed back: [Sweetheart, don't call this number again. Have Jordan reach out if needed.]

Jordan was one of Archer's personal assistants. Under the covers, Maddie's hands clenched.

Jordan had once worked for Maddie's family. After her family business collapsed, Jordan's father had begged for him to keep his job. When Archer was eager to make amends, Maddie had helped bring Jordan into Archer's company. She'd thought Jordan was trustworthy—only to find he'd been helping Archer and Bailee keep their secrets.

Nausea churned in her gut. Archer's latest message stung: [She's asleep now. I'll come see you. Wear that Victorian-style dress I like.]

The message pierced Maddie's heart. She squeezed her eyes shut. Archer glanced over and gently touched Maddie's cheek, checking that she was asleep. Then he grabbed his jacket and left.

The second the door clicked shut, Maddie bolted up and rushed to the bathroom, retching into the toilet. After she'd emptied her stomach, she sat on the cold tiles, trying to steady her breathing—until her phone rang again.

Wearily, she picked up. It was her attorney.

"Ms. Mills, Archer's assets have been evaluated. Through litigation, you can claim five properties, two plots of land, and fifty million dollars in assets."

Maddie tightened her grip on the phone, her voice hoarse. "With my shares, that's it?"

"Yes, Ms. Mills," the attorney confirmed. "Archer has invested most of his funds into the company. To get more, you'll need evidence of other wrongdoings for compensation."

Maddie's mind jumped to Archer's marriage certificate with Bailee. Possible bigamy, fraud, and the money she had put into his business—her attorney would need evidence of each. She needed solid proof to make Archer pay heavily and to see him brought down.

Her thoughts turned to a particular property, her pulse quickening with urgency. When her mother learned Maddie was reconciling with Archer, she'd bought a riverside villa for their wedding home, putting both names on the deed. After her mother passed, Maddie avoided the place; the memories were too painful.

Archer wouldn't get a single brick from that house.

"Is the riverside villa at the estate one of the five properties listed?" she asked.

The lawyer hesitated. "No, it's jointly owned. Even without a divorce, it belongs to both of you. To claim it fully, either have him sign it over in the divorce or transfer it willingly."

Unlikely. Archer wouldn't agree without a fight, and explaining it risked everything.

"What's the alternative if neither works?" Maddie asked, frowning.

The lawyer paused. "You could sell it with Archer’s written consent, but the sale and proceeds must be fully disclosed in any property settlement. We cannot hide assets from the court."

Maddie's eyes lit up—this could work. Her mind instantly went to her best friend, Arely Carlson.

Arely was a powerhouse in the IT world. Though Maddie had been tangled up in cutting ties with Archer, she hadn't shared this ordeal with her friend yet.

After ending the call, she reached out to Arely. Arely, back from a business trip, was relaxing and trying to beat jet lag. Maddie's story left her simmering with anger.

"Archer, that unfaithful jerk! You gave him a second chance, and he blew it! Forget him. With friends like us, you'll be fine. What do you need me to do?"