“He made me lose my pregnancy, Dad,” Emmy said. “I didn’t say anything because I knew you’d never believe me. Not with the image he’s built for himself — the perfect son-in-law, the silent achiever.”She took a small step forward. “I was going to show you the scan. I kept it. But I lost the baby before I could even tell you.”His shoulders sagged. And for the first time, he looked… tired.“There’s more,” Emmy added quickly. “While Charles was shutting me out, someone else stood by me. The only one who noticed I was breaking. His name is Roger — Roger Kingsley. You must have seen him in the news.”Mr. Harrington’s face barely moved. No words. Just a tightening around the eyes.“He’s everything Charles isn’t. Supportive. Loving. Present. I didn’t plan to fall for him, Dad. It just… happened.”Silence.Mr. Harrington turned without a word and walked back to the dining table. He poured himself a glass of water and took

The ride to her parents’ place was a psychological warzone. Sadie seemed to invent new ways to poke at him every five minutes. It took every bit of Charles’ composure not to drive the car into a pole.“Could you please not call me that ridiculous name in front of your family?” he asked as he parked.“Why?” She blinked innocently. “Afraid they’ll find out how you boss me around?”Charles sighed like his soul had aged twenty years. “I still get flashbacks to the look your mother gave me the first time she saw me. Don’t add to my trauma, I beg you.”“I’ll think about it… Daddy,” she grinned, already stepping out.Charles rubbed a hand down his face. Meeting Sadie might’ve been the worst mistake of his life. If they ever ended up in court, the judge would probably hand the gavel to God and walk away, completely unable to declare either of them innocent.He raised his head and noticed Sadie chatting with some guy in a suit who looked

Charles blinked. That... surprised him. The first time he’d actually met someone who’d pushed the line far enough to get officially kicked out. It almost impressed him. His own parents had threatened it plenty, but he’d never let it come to that.“Guardians?”“I live alone... in the apartment Becket got me.”Charles glanced at her. “Of course,” he muttered. “That’s why he thought he could treat you like that.”Then he added, “Guess he’s going to kick you out now that he accused you of—”“Sir,” her voice cracked, soaked with tears. “I didn’t cheat on him.”She shook her head, eyes glistening with desperation. “I don’t know what he saw, but it was definitely a misunderstanding. I’d never cheat on—”“You know,” Charles cut in flatly, “people like him? They’re jerks. You could apologize until you’re blue in the face—it wouldn’t matter. He’s done. Game over.”“No. You don’t get it. Becket was in love with me. He

“Twenty-five, ma'am,” Charles answered.“Sadie’s twenty-four,” the old woman nodded. “Do you love her? For real? You can be honest with me.”This was a far cry from Emmy’s grandmother grilling him over net worth like it was a criminal record. He never gave a damn about money, and that alone had been enough to earn their contempt. But this…this felt different.“Sadie might seem strong on the outside,” the old woman continued, “but she’s got a fragile heart. Don’t let the achievements fool you.”Charles swallowed hard. He’d have to lie to this sweet old woman just to keep the act going. “I know, ma'am. I…I love her. With all my heart.”She gave a knowing smile. “You didn’t have to say it. I can see it in the way you look at her.”He almost laughed. Was she serious? He didn’t love Sadie. Hell, he didn’t even know what love was. He wasn’t sure he ever had.“I might not live long enough to see your wedding,” she sai

A few minutes later, he came out, showered and wearing the offered shirt. Not bad, actually. Much better than he’d expected from a guy like Thomas.“You have surprisingly decent taste in clothes, considering your entire personality,” Charles said.Thomas was crouched, fiddling with the TV cable. “My sister bought that shirt.”Figures. Leave it to Thomas to somehow turn a compliment into a sad documentary clip.“You didn’t have to give it to me,” Charles muttered. “I wasn’t giving it. Just an excuse to see you again.”Charles blinked. He was about to say something about how creepy that sounded coming from a grown man when his phone rang.He already knew who it was even before answering it. “Charles, we have to go,” Sadie’s voice said on the other end.“Already?”“Yeah. I just got some news. Meet me at the reception. I’m heading there now.”“Alright.” He hung up and looked at