Page 94 of The Wrong Fiancée

"I don't need you to fix things for me, Dean," I said quietly, my voice barely a whisper. "But I do need you by my side. That's all I've ever wanted."

He squeezed my hand, pulling me closer until I lay against him, my head on his shoulder. "I know. And I'm here, baby. I'm not going anywhere."

I turned to look into his eyes, feeling the sincerity in his words.

"Fine," I muttered, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. "But next time, we discuss things first. Okay?"

He laughed softly, leaning down to kiss me. "Deal."

I pulled him closer, our lips meeting, and in that moment, everything else fell away.

"I love you, baby," he whispered against my lips, his voice low and serious. "More than anything."

My heart swelled. "I love you too, Dean."

We lay there, tangled together, the past slipping away with each breath. The future stretched out ahead of us, uncertain but full of promise.

Epilogue

DEAN

Since Elika was able to transfer her credits from the University of Hawaii, it took her only three years to earn a Bachelor's in Art History from NYU.

We all gathered at Le Bernardin in New York to celebrate her graduation. Duncan and Elsa had flown in from Paris, while Damian and Emilia made the trip from San Francisco. Mom and Dad, who had been traveling, caught a flight from Prague to be there for the graduation ceremony and dinner.

We had hoped Noe would be able to join us, but she couldn’t. She had promised, though, to make it up to her sister when she returned to Kauai. Noe had changed in ways I hadn’t dared to hope for. She was thriving—truly thriving.

Thanks to the treatment at Ka Pono, along with her personal care and therapy sessions, she’d gained more mobility than we ever imagined. More importantly, she’d gained a sense of independence. Noe wasn’t just surviving anymore, she was living. She had even found a job she loved, managing a small spa in Lihu?e. It wasn’t just a job—it was her lifeline. She was reconnecting with people, feeling useful again, and rebuilding her confidence. The bitterness that had once clouded every conversation between us had softened, replaced by something closer to peace.

Elika and Noe had repaired their relationship, which wasbetter than it had ever been, but what surprised me was that I had a damn good relationship with my sister-in-law—we'd become friends.

Elika looked radiant in a sleek, navy dress that hugged her figure just enough to leave me struggling to focus on anything else. Her smile hadn't left her face since we'd walked into the restaurant, and I loved seeing her so fucking happy. This night was hers.

Le Bernardin was an Archer family favorite for celebrations. It was elegant, with dim lighting, soft jazz in the background, and walls lined with rich wood paneling. The food was plated like art itself, delicate and precise, and tasted like heaven.

"Dad, Mom, just pick a wine, will you?" Duncan snapped as our parents endlessly debated left-bank versus right-bank Bordeaux.

All the kids were at the Archer apartment with a nanny so the adults could have some time without worrying, as Elsa put it, "about spit-ups,oui?"

"Congratulations, Elika." Duncan raised his glass as the conversation started to slow. "Summa cum laude from NYU. That's fucking impressive."

"I can't believe I did it," Elika exclaimed, picking up her glass and clinking it to Duncan's.

"Of course you did it," Mom said. "You're smarter than most people I know."

"That's high praise coming from Marcella," Emilia declared.

"You know what makes me happy?" Mom raised her glass. "That the Archer tradition of the men marrying women who are smarter and better than them continues."

"I started this tradition," Dad declared proudly.

The first course arrived—beautifully plated tuna tartare with caviar and micro greens, followed by seared scallops in a truffle beurre blanc sauce.

I watched Elika take her first bite, her eyes lighting up as she tasted the flavors, her lips curving into that smile that still knocked the wind out of me, even after all these years.

Damian leaned over the table, raising an eyebrow. "So, have you thought about working full-time for us?"

Elika had been interning for Archer Arts & Antiquities, and Damian wanted her to work for us and, eventually, take over the art authentication department.

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