Page 204 of My Ruthless Husband

“I’m taking her to the green room. You guys can talk there,” Archer announces.

Before I can get to my feet, Archer sweeps me into his arms, holding me against his chest as he leaves the hall.

My head rests against his broad shoulder as we make our way down the hallway.

As I look up, I see the worry lines creasing his brow. Reaching up, I gently press my fingertips between his dark eyebrows, trying to smooth away his frown. “I ruined our special day,” I whisper.

Archer’s eyes soften as he looks down at me. “You’re in my arms, wearing my ring. To me, that sounds like a damn special day.”

I smile weakly. “You know what I mean. I made a scene… everyone saw. Even your parents—”

“I don’t give a damn about what anyone thinks,” he says. “What matters is that the woman I love, the one who means everything to me, broke down in front of me, and I couldn’t do a damn thing to stop it.” His grip on me tightens, his anger barely contained. “What matters is finding that motherfucker, Caleb. I’ll put every resource I have into tracking him down, and when I do, he’s going to regret—”

I press my lips to his, cutting off the angry edge in his voice. “I love you,” I murmur against his mouth.

His arms tighten around me, his gaze holding mine. “I love you more, Summer. Now let’s get you to the green room.”

I nod, letting my eyes close as Archer carries me. His arms are my safe haven, each step of his bringing me closer to peace. The weight of old wounds, the hurt that had been buried for so long, begins to lift.

I can feel the comfort of his love seeping into me, healing parts of me that had been broken open tonight.

I am the luckiest woman in the world.

???

I never imagined this moment would be so… suffocating. All the words I thought I had prepared—the questions, the demands for answers, the emotions I’ve been sitting on for years—they’re all gone. I’m blank.

Damian hasn’t spoken. He’s barely even looked at us since he entered the room and took a seat on the couch opposite me. Raleigh’s standing by the small window, his body tense, his fists clenched at his sides. I can feel the anger radiating off him in waves.

Raleigh finally strode into the room just few minutes ago. His phone was switched off and Archer had to contact Hannah to get through to him. I knew Raleigh wouldn’t ignore Archer. His loyalty to Archer was ironclad, a respect too deep to refuse.

“Raleigh…” I begin softly. “Please, come and sit down.”

He finally turns to face us, his expression hardened. His jacket’s gone, and his crumpled white T-shirt clings to him, tousled hair hinting he took a long ride on his Harley. He looks like he’s ready to walk right back out.

“Why?” he snaps, his voice edged with bitterness. “Why the hell should I sit down? So we can catch up, after twenty fucking years of silence? Yeah, that sounds real great.”

I start to speak, but he cuts me off, raising a hand. “You can coddle him all you want, Summer. Don’t think for a second I’m gonna do the same.” His voice is rough. “The only reason I’m standing here is because Archer called, told me what went down with you earlier. And goddamn it, Summer, this man doesn’t deserve your tears.”

“Raleigh, please—”

“What’s the point of all this when he doesn’t give a damn about any of us? Just look at him.” He gestures toward Damian, who sits there, completely detached, one leg draped over his knee. But even in that calm posture, the muscle in his jaw ticks—Raleigh’s words are definitely affecting him. “He still doesn’t give a shit.”

“You’re wrong.”

Raleigh scoffs, turning, and shaking his head as if he can’t believe I’m still defending him.

I push to my feet. “You really think anyone—me, you, or anyone in this world—could’ve forced him to be here, listening to you insult him like this? The only reason he’s here, taking all of this shit, the only reason he let you hit him, is because he cares.”

He faces me again. “All right, fine. Let’s say he cares. So what? Where was thatcarewhen he turned his back on us? He’s a fucking billionaire, Summer. He could’ve easily tracked us. This guy’s richer than God, and to top it all off, he was right here, living his life, and we had no clue.”

I wince as Raleigh lets out a cold, humorless laugh. “Maybe you should tell him how we spent months thinking he was dead—or worse. Go ahead, tell him how we nearly destroyed ourselves with that thought. I’m sure it’ll do wonders for his ego.”

Damian remains silent, his lack of response like a brick wall. Cold. Impenetrable. I don’t know if we can ever get past it.

Raleigh curses loudly. “This is fucking pointless.” He turns, marching toward the door.

“I stayed away for your own good.” Damian says flatly.

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