Ariel didn’t even have time to react. While applying pressure on her lower abdomen, she looked up in shock.

Blood was already smeared at the corner of Perry’s mouth. His face darkened with fury.

Across from him, Lucas‘ usually roguish gaze had turned cold and sharp. Without a word, he stormed forward and grabbed Perry by the collar.

“What the hell are you doing with her? Don’t you know who she is? You sure have a bad taste in women!”

Perry had never taken that kind of disrespect from anyone. He immediately threw a punch in return. “Show some respect for me and Ms. Walker!”

Lucas ran his tongue over the corner of his mouth and let out a cold laugh before lunging forward again.

Respect? After what he just saw? Perry’s ears were burning red!

Just as it looked like the two men were about to come to blows, Ariel stepped in with a pale face. “Lucas! What the hell is wrong with you?”

Lucas froze mid–motion and glanced back at her. He gave a cold, mocking laugh. “Did you want this?”

He smirked and clicked his tongue. “You could’ve said so earlier, Ari. I really gotta hand it to you for going after your man’s buddy like it’s nothing. Aren’t you worried they’re comparing notes about you behind your back?”

Ariel’s face went white. Her jaw clenched so hard it trembled. She couldn’t believe he actually said that.

Suddenly, Perry delivered a punch to Lucas‘ cheek. “Mr. Sanderson, that’s way over the line!”

Lucas frowned from the pain. Just as he was about to lose his temper, the sound of police sirens grew louder.

Sitting in the police station later, Ariel felt her headache intensify as the troublesome situation weighed heavily on her. Her expression grew even colder.

Lucas was never easy to deal with. Maybe in that moment, he had misunderstood her and Perry. A reflex from his protective instinct toward her in the past made him throw the first punch.

But what he said afterward were casual, cutting insults. They made Ariel feel suffocated and, frankly, ridiculous.

They’d finished taking statements, but someone still needed to post bail and sign off.

Wendy rushed over and threw herself into Lucas‘ arms with red eyes. She gently brushed his split lip. “What happened? How did you end up in a fight?”

Lucas pulled her close, slipping back into his usual laid–back demeanor. “It’s nothing.”

Angry and anxious, Wendy glanced around instinctively and spotted Perry, who was also hurt, and Ariel sitting in a chair with a cold expression.

Her eyes welled up again, and she snapped, “Ariel, you’re here too? Why didn’t you stop Lucas? What the hell happened?”

Wendy knew Perry, but she couldn’t make sense of the situation.

In their circle,

even with only a distant relationship, they didn’t usually tear each other apart like this.

Ariel looked away. She didn’t have the energy to deal with Wendy right now.

Instead, she walked over to Perry and pressed her lips together. “Did you call someone?”

Noticing her sour mood beneath the calm exterior, Perry cleared his throat and replied, “Yeah. Matt will be here soon.”

Ariel nodded. After hesitating for a moment, she said, “I’m sorry.”

No matter what, she felt responsible. Lucas only threw the punch because of her.

Even though things were tense between them now, old habits from childhood wouldn’t change easily. Lucas‘ reaction to step in when he saw something was wrong came from instinct, not true intent.

That was why things ended up so awkward and uncomfortable.

Perry looked at her, then shook his head. “It’s not your fault.”

He figured it was normal for Lucas to be sensitive. He was Ariel’s brother, after all.

Meanwhile, Lucas had calmed Wendy down. He stepped forward with one hand in his pocket. As if suddenly realizing the weight of his actions, he felt apologetic. “Mr. Houston, this was all a misunderstanding. I’m really sorry. Maybe we can have a meal sometime, and I can apologize properly.”

Perry wasn’t one to hold grudges, especially since they were all in the business world, where keeping some goodwill mattered. He replied, “As long as it’s cleared up. You definitely misunderstood, Mr. Sanderson. Ms. Walker and I are not close.”

He didn’t want to make things harder for Ariel.

Lucas shot Ariel a half–smile. “Yeah, Ari’s so loyal to her husband she’s practically attending to his mistress. Guess I was just being paranoid.”

That was really harsh. He practically spelled out how little self–respect and boundaries Ariel had in her relationship.

Her lips turned pale, but she had no strength left to argue.

Perry frowned, wanting to say something, but he couldn’t.

Everyone had seen how patient and forgiving Ariel had been with Jayson over the years. Matt even called her a lapdog more than once.

Wendy, clueless about the full story, blurted out, “Wait, what? Ariel’s husband has a mistress?”

She looked at Ariel sympathetically and spoke her mind. “Doesn’t he even try to hide it? He really doesn’t see you as his wife, then. No wonder you never had kids. It seems he never wanted any.”

Ariel froze, unsure how to respond. But fortunately, she could listen to all this calmly now.

It was the truth, after all. Plus, they were getting divorced. There was no point in getting worked up anymore.

But…

Ariel touched her stomach subtly.

Everyone kept questioning why she never had children after all those years of marriage. It reminded her of the possibility that treatments for her illness might take away her chance to have kids.

Wendy turned to Lucas and asked coyly, “Lucas, you only got eyes for me, right? Promise me that you’ll stay faithful after we’re married.”

Lucas glanced sideways at Ariel, who was looking down lost in thought, and let out a soft laugh. “Of course. You’re different.”

Ariel didn’t care about their lovey–dovey act. That was their business. She just wanted to get through this mess as fast as possible.

She was about to ask a police officer when she could leave when the sound of a car pulling up outside caught her

attention.

Voices came through the door. “Sorry you had to come all this way, Mr. Larkin.”

Ariel turned, surprised.

Two figures came into view–one tall, one short–a strikingly matched pair.

Nancy frowned when she saw Ariel there.

Jayson’s eyes flicked over Ariel and paused for a beat.