Page 192 of Delilah In Discretion

“And you are?” Archer asked sarcastically, his tone sharp.

Stephan sighed, “At least I had the decency to send pictures that weren’t all that demeaning to the man’s daughter. Sure, I did go a bit overboard, but it would have been nothing compared to what that idiot would have done.”

Archer remained silent, the weight of Stephan’s words settling in. “If it weren’t for you… I don’t know what that idiot would have done to this family... He would have truly torn it apart. So for that, I am grateful.”

Stephan could tell Archer wanted to say more, and he muttered, “But?” already expecting the worst from his little brother.

“But… I think we need some time apart,” Archer said, his voice heavy with emotion. “You need time to come to terms with everything—no matter how fucked up it is. And I need time to heal from what you’ve done. I spent so many years looking up to you, only to have that admiration twisted into something painful and destructive. I need space to figure out if I even want totry rebuilding our relationship after all these years of effort. We both need time to process this before we can think about moving forward.”

“Fair enough... I don’t expect any forgiveness because I know I don’t deserve it. Tell everyone I said goodbye, would you?” Stephan asked, and Archer gave a slight nod and simply watched as Stephan turned and walked out of the home without another word.

Archer took a seat on the sofa, feeling angry but also a tremendous sense of relief. He hadn’t forgiven his brother, but he honestly didn’t need to. Not until he was ready.

What truly mattered was that he was able to voice his feelings, and for the first time in his life, his older brother actually listened. Whether or not their relationship would go any further would be to Archer’s discretion; however, he was grateful for what his brother did for his future wife’s family.

“Everything okay?” He heard her melodic voice and looked up to see his fiancée walking over to him cautiously.

He pulled her down to his lap playfully, and she giggled as he placed a few kisses on her neck.

“How is Ivory doing?” he muttered.

Delilah bit her lip as she thought back to the shaken state of her sister. “Mom and Dad are with her now. She’s a bit shaken up, but I think she’ll be okay...” she said, hopeful of her sister overcoming this.

Archer nodded his head as he laid it on her shoulder.

“You still didn’t answer my question,” Delilah whispered as she ran her hand through his hair, to which he simply looked up at her in question. “I asked you if everything was okay. I know it’s a bit of a broad question, but it’ll let me know how you’re feeling,” she muttered.

He was silent for a moment.

Pulling her closer, he spoke wholeheartedly. “When I’m with you, Princess… yes. Everything is always okay.”

Epilogue

Six Months Later

“Do you, Archer Lockwood, take Delilah Newman-Russel to be your lawfully wedded wife? To promise to love and cherish her, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?”

Archer gazed into her eyes lovingly as he ran his finger over her ring finger, which held her diamond ring.

“I do,” he replied, causing Delilah to smile. He wiped away the small tear that fell from her eye and rolled his eyes at the audience, who decided now would be a great time to “aww” at them.

“Do you, Delilah Newman-Russel, take Archer Lockwood to be your lawfully wedded husband? To promise to love and cherish him, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, for so long as you both shall live?” he asked.

She replied happily, “I do!”

Archer gave a chuckle at her enthusiasm.

“By the authority vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Archer was quick to lean in and capture the lips of his wife as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

The audience cheered as the couple had finally become official, and to keep things PG, Delilah pulled away, laughing as she looked into Archer’s eyes.

“I told you to save your excitement for our second honeymoon,” she whispered.

He shook his head. “I haven’t seen you since yesterday, Princess; forgive me for kissing my wife a bit longer than usual because of how beautiful she is.”

She giggled at his antics, and he leaned in once again, placing another passionate kiss on her lips.

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