I stood frozen, watching the tension ripple across Arthur's face as Caleb glared at him. My mind raced, still processing what had just happened inside. Arthur Sterling—the cold, calculating CEO—had just defended me in front of everyone, claiming me as his wife without hesitation.
"Now is not the time," Arthur replied, his voice cool but firm.
"Oh, I think it is," Caleb shot back, stepping closer. "You kept this from the family for months. From me."
Arthur's hand tightened protectively around mine. "My marriage is not family business."
Caleb laughed bitterly. "Not family business? You're engaged to my fiancée's cousin! The woman I—" He stopped himself, jaw clenching.
The woman he what? I wondered. The woman he once claimed to love? The woman he abandoned the moment he discovered my illegitimate status?
"The woman you discarded," Arthur finished for him, his voice like ice. "Yes, I'm well aware of your history with Elara."
