So that's what she thought I cared about. Money. A few bottles of wine. A fancy credit card.

If I had wanted wealth, I would have fought for it back then. But I didn't. I gave it all up just to be with her and to be the best husband I could be.

She never understood.

She never really saw what she meant to me.

I loved her for eighteen years.

I remembered it all like it had just happened. The day I was brought back to the Davidsons as the unwanted bastard child. The day Gerard, my older brother, dragged me out to the pool and threw me in like garbage. I was barely conscious, gasping for air.

And she jumped in after me.

She pulled me out and stood there, soaked and shaking, facing down Gerard.

"He's your brother, Gerard," she said, her voice soft but firm. "A real man should show kindness. Don't take out your anger on him."

That moment lit something inside me.

Margaux became my light in the middle of all that darkness.

Because of her, my years with the Davidsons had at least a sliver of dignity.

So I gave her everything I had—my youth, loyalty, and heart.

I folded a thousand paper cranes for her so she could give them to Archie.

I ran her errands by delivering Archie's medicine and breakfast.

I did everything for her just to make her happy.

I stood in the shadows like a coward, guarding my feelings as if they were shameful.

I knew where her heart was. She never once said she liked me.

But I don't regret a damn thing.

She was ready to live and die for Archie. And I was the one who stayed.

I was the one who held her when she was breaking apart, and I was the one who promised, "I'll never leave you. No matter what."

Then one day, she showed up at my door with a withered rose and that hollow look in her eyes.

"Marry me," she said.

I didn't even blink. I tossed aside my pride, my last shred of self-worth, everything.

Because I loved her.

But now?

"No need, Margaux," I said, my voice low. "I'm really tired."

I turned toward the door, ready to leave it all behind.

Just then, the bar's front doors slammed open, and someone stormed in. A hand grabbed my arm and yanked me backward with force.

"Troy, you feeling gutsy now?" Gerard's voice rang out as he shoved me hard toward her. "Talking divorce with Margaux like you actually have a say?"

"Apologize to Margaux right now. If you screw up this alliance, I swear, I won't let you walk away from it."