Chapter 3
Arthur's POV
The sun on Saint Barthélemy was hot enough to burn.
For the first few days, I let myself get completely lost in the ocean breeze, the liquor, and Chloe. I didn't care that my phone never rang.
I even figured that if my damn "shadow" of a brother hadn't called me begging for help, then Audrey probably hadn't noticed anything was wrong.
But after a full week went by, New York was still dead silent.
No furious calls from Audrey. No routine updates from Asher. Even my own trusted men seemed to have vanished into thin air.
That was when I finally started to panic.
In the mafia world, silence that complete usually meant the highest kind of kill order.
I knew exactly how bad it looked that I had bailed on my wedding and run off to be with the woman I really wanted.
It wasn't just humiliating the Vincent family—it was stomping all over the alliance our marriage was supposed to secure.
If the old don had already learned the truth, then maybe at this very moment the family's cleaners were on their way to this beach with guns in their hands.
"Arthur... are you even listening to me?"
Chloe climbed out of the pool and pressed herself against my bare back.
Biting her lip, she let a flicker of displeasure show in her eyes. "You want to go back, don't you? You realized you still like that spoiled rich girl more, didn't you? If you really take me back to New York, she'll use her family's power to come after me..."
"Shut up, Chloe." I rubbed my brow, trying to force down the panic rising inside me. "Listen to me. Once I get back and officially take control of the Sterling family's security codes and final authority, you'll be the real mistress of the house. If that bitch Audrey dares show you the slightest disrespect, I swear I'll throw her off the deck myself and let the sharks tear her apart."
That seemed to calm her. Smiling through her tears, Chloe leaned in and kissed me.
But I kept staring at the glittering water, my fist clenched tight.
I had to get back to New York immediately.
Audrey's POV
The Sterling family's private estate.
I looked down at the lab report in my hand.
I was pregnant.
Today, the core leaders and elder figures of both families were gathered under one roof.
Holding a glass of sparkling water, I watched Asher from across the room.
He moved easily among the people who held power in both families.
Not only did he show no nerves, with just a few words he untangled the Vincent family's concerns over the profits from the South Harbor smuggling route—a mess Arthur's arrogance and stubbornness had once turned into a constant source of friction between the two sides.
Watching the old don nod to my father in approval, and seeing the uncles who were usually hardest to please look at Asher with open praise, I knew Asher had completely won them over.
Another wave of nausea rolled through my stomach.
Covering my mouth and nose, I turned and stepped out onto the terrace for air.
The cool night breeze had barely touched my face when a suit jacket was gently draped over my shoulders.
At some point, Asher had followed me out.
Even that small gesture carried his obsessive possessiveness.
"You're getting better and better at pretending to be your brother," I said without turning, my tone teasing.
Asher loosely circled me from behind. "That's because I have you by my side calling the shots, my dear wife."
I gave a soft laugh, then picked up a glass of vodka from a nearby tray and held it out to him. "So tell me—would you be interested in... making this act real and replacing him for good?"
Asher's breath caught sharply. With almost no hesitation, he reached for the glass—the drink that seemed to stand for power and sin all at once.
Bang—
The door was suddenly kicked open with brutal force.
Both Asher and I turned at the same time.
Arthur Sterling.
The moment he saw the elders of both families gathered in the hall, and then saw me on the terrace with Asher's arm around me, he let out a furious roar.
"Audrey! You crazy bitch! I already lowered myself enough to marry you! I told you I'd come home after the wedding! And over something this minor, you made such a huge scene that you dragged both families here to pressure me? Let me tell you something—I will never forgive you! Even if you dropped to your knees and begged, I wouldn't look at you again!"
The hall fell dead silent.
Right on cue, I gagged and put on the appearance of a woman shocked to the point of weakness.
That movement pushed Arthur completely over the edge.
Like a madman, he charged toward the terrace, roaring as he lunged for my throat.
"You're still pretending in front of me? I'll kill you!"
Asher moved instantly.
His hand clamped around Arthur's wrist.
Then he forced Arthur down to his knees on the floor.
Over Arthur's shrill scream of pain, Asher's eyes stayed cold. "Asher, you family reject covered in disgrace—did exile rot your brain along with the rest of you?"
Asher deliberately stressed every word, making sure everyone in the hall could hear it clearly.
"How dare you speak to your sister-in-law that way? The child in her belly is the most precious heir of the Sterling family."
