"… I'm sorry," I said, dead inside. "I was petty. I didn't see the bigger picture."

Her lips curled, just slightly.

Her voice was light, as if none of this even mattered. "Alright, alright. Go home. Don't throw tantrums like this again."

I nodded once and turned to leave.

But Gerard wasn't done.

"You hit Mr. Branson," he said. "Apologize to him too."

I stopped cold. My blood boiled. But I held it down.

So this was what "family" meant to them.

I laughed, just once. Dry, bitter.

"Sure," I said. "Whatever you say, Gerard."

I turned toward Archie, forcing my voice into something even. "Archie, I'm sorry. I lost my temper. If you want to hit me back, go ahead."

Archie lit up like he'd just won the lottery. He grinned and reached out like we were old college buddies.

"Troy, come on now," he said with that fake charm. "We're classmates, right? Just a misunderstanding. Why would I ever hit you?"

He leaned in close, his lips nearly brushing my ear—his breath stank of smug.

"What a weakling!" he sneered, "You even brought your brother, Gerard, just to put on a little show for me? If you don't want the divorce, just say it."

He chuckled softly.

"Let me make it real simple for you. Margaux told me, clear as day, that if I'm willing to take her back, she'll never lay a hand on you again. You were just a warm body—a bed-warmer. You're useless now. You want to know why she never spent a dime on you? Because she promised me her money would only go to the man she loves. And you? You don't even come close."

It hit like a gut punch.

My lungs tightened, and for a second I couldn't breathe. My chest burned and my hands trembled, but I kept still.

Just like that, Archie straightened up. Replacing his sneer, he let out a radiant smile.

"Troy, that's all settled then," he chirped. "Margaux's throwing me a homecoming party. Big one. All the top names in Metropolis will be there. You should come. I've got a gift just for you."

I glanced past him toward Gerard, who was now laughing with Margaux as if none of this had happened and as if they hadn't just cheered while my dignity was stomped into the floor.

Holding myself back, I forced myself to nod. "Sure."

We stepped outside, and the evening air felt too cold for the season.

Kenneth followed close behind, his voice tight with anger. "Troy, they've crossed every line. You're really going to let them walk all over you like that?"