Caiden sprang to his feet and locked the door to Iris' office.

Anxiety gripped Iris. "What are you doing?"

"You really are a generous wife." Caiden's voice was smooth but unreadable. He strode closer with a cool, unreadable look, taking off his watch unhurriedly.

Iris stood up abruptly and yanked her chair forward, putting it between them. "There are cameras everywhere. Do you seriously want your face plastered all over the news for causing trouble again, right after your little run-in at the police station?"

Caiden took his time studying her, eyes lingering on the plain white coat she wore. It was standard-issue, nothing flattering, but the way she carried herself made even that simple uniform seem striking.

"We're married, Iris. Worst case, someone sends out a memo about a certain doctor needing to keep things professional. No one's getting on the news for this."

That was when Iris realized something was off and made a break for the door, but she never stood a chance.

He moved fast, catching her wrist and steering her into the lounge, where the small bed she used for her afternoon naps waited.

She landed hard on the bed and winced. The sharp pain in her shoulder stunned her, and her chance of escape disappeared.

Caiden joined her on the bed, one knee pressing down for balance as he pinned her hands above her head.

When he looked her in the eye, his eyes gave off the warmth of someone utterly in love. Yet, as he lowered his eyes, there was nothing behind his gaze but chilling detachment.

"You might be good at scheming, but I have no interest in settling for trades like this. Iris, I only want a baby when you're the mother."

Caiden drew out the word "only" so she would hear the finality in it.

Despite her urge to fight back, he held her firmly. The way he leaned in surrounded her with his scent—a strange mix of comfort and distance.

"Why bother running away?" he asked. "I made myself clear. Once the baby's born, we'll go our separate ways. But if you keep talking about divorce, I'll just assume you're asking for another night with me."

Iris kept her lips pressed together.

He shrugged, letting arrogance slip into his tone. "Even if you ask for it, I might not oblige. So try to keep your head down and maybe you'll catch me in a decent mood."

Her silence said everything her glare could not.

He clearly had no patience left, moving on with a flat expression as he picked up something from beneath her—a velvet ring box.

Popping it open with a single hand, Caiden revealed her wedding ring inside.

Iris had spent days searching for that ring, half-convinced she had tossed it out. It turned out she had left it here.

Nothing in Caiden's voice gave away what he was thinking. "You make it obvious just how much you want out of this marriage."

Iris opened her mouth to say something, but he had already let go of her hand. The ring box found its place on the cabinet in plain view. Next, he took his watch from his pocket and fastened it around his wrist, turning away with no glance at her, as if she no longer existed.

Out of nowhere, Iris asked, "You refuse to accept Ariana's child, but what about the one from that woman on the Autumn Avenue? Is that baby never going to be part of your family?"

Caiden stopped in his tracks, pausing for a heartbeat.

Iris' voice softened as she spoke from the heart. "I'm sorry, Caiden. I grew up starved for affection. When you were kind to me, I thought you had feelings for me. So when your mom suggested marriage, I agreed. If I'd realized sooner that I meant nothing special, I would have never stepped into your life. I would've let you chase after what you truly wanted without interfering."

Not a word came from Caiden, but the silence between them felt icy.

No one could blame him. Dredging up their history only added to the bitterness, and she knew it.

Still, Iris continued, "I just want to fix my mistakes and let you go. If you agree to divorce, you'll have the freedom to pursue real happiness and start your own family right away. Why are you hanging onto this just to hurt me?"

Caiden's parting words were colder than the silence. "You think I'm clinging to this marriage out of spite? Don't flatter yourself. I'm not ending things just because I hate losing. When things are even between us, then we'll both walk away."

Caiden left Iris there, and she sank onto the bed, not ready to move or face the world.

Every part of her ached with weariness, body and soul.

Her phone lit up on the nightstand, and she answered without much energy. "Hey, Melody."

Melody Fletcher, the obstetrician Iris had sent Ariana to, whispered into the phone, "You wouldn't believe the scene in my office just now. That woman was practically shrieking. Half the hospital probably thought I was trying to remove her uterus for your sake."

"You need to stop reading those wild romance novels," Iris replied, sitting up. "So... is she pregnant?"

"Not even close. I did an ultrasound—she's on her period right now."

Iris chuckled. "Then let her go."

Since middle school, Melody had always had her back. Today was no different—even if she was baffled by the strange request for an abortion appointment, she still played along.

Before sending the woman on her way, Melody lowered her voice. "So, who is she to you?"

"She's the woman Caiden's seeing right now."

A beat passed before Melody let out a wicked cackle. "Maybe I should've removed her uterus."

Rolling her eyes, Iris replied, "If you mess with her, Caiden will come after you. Don't give him a reason."

Caiden had always been waiting for Melody to slip up, and targeting Ariana would be all the ammunition he needed.

Melody was never one to hold her tongue. "If he wants a fight, tell him to come back from abroad first."

Iris' voice was ice-cold. "He's already back in town."

A heavy pause hung between them before Melody said, "Okay, forget I said anything."

After a moment, her tone softened. "So, are you actually planning to divorce him?"

Rising to her feet, Iris let her gaze rest on the ring box. "He said I owed him a child—the one I lost."

Melody's voice rose, sharp with disbelief. "You mean the one I helped you abort last year?"

"That's right."

Memories of that day stirred fresh outrage in Melody. She launched into a fierce, thirty-minute rant about Caiden's heartlessness, not holding back for a second.

With every sharp word from her friend, Iris felt her mood lift a little. When the call ended, a new message popped up from Caiden's mother, inviting her to dinner in honor of his return.

Iris accepted without much thought.

That evening, Iris reached the Wells Mansion but didn't see Caiden.

His secretary said he was busy and wouldn't make it.

That left only Iris and Caiden's parents seated around the table.

Caiden's mother, Caroline Wells, said to Iris, "Ariana Watson has left the city. I made sure of it."

For a moment, Iris froze, glancing at her mother-in-law. "So you were aware?"

A weary sigh escaped Caroline. "Caiden hurt you again."

The way she lingered on the word "again" told Iris everything—Caiden's parents knew about the woman living on the Autumn Avenue but had chosen not to interfere.

"Iris, you are the only daughter-in-law we acknowledge," Caroline said softly. "Now that Caiden's back, he should stay instead of working overseas again. It would give him a chance to take on more at the company and give the two of you a little more time together."

Thoughts of Caroline's recent heart surgery tugged at Iris. She didn't want to add any more stress to her mother-in-law's life.

So she simply said, "I understand."

Caroline accepted the words at face value.

A week slipped by before Caroline called again. "Caiden hasn't been home lately, has he?"

Caroline was right.

Most days, Iris even forgot Caiden was back in town at all.

"Maybe work's keeping him busy. I've been—" Iris started to explain about her packed surgery schedule, hoping to steer the conversation away from anything involving Caiden.

But Caroline didn't miss a beat. "I heard he's heading out to Brown Manor tonight with his friends. Since you've been putting in so many late nights at the hospital, why not take a break and spend some time with friends? I'll even cover your expenses."

It was classic Caroline—subtle, tactful, and sharp as ever. Years alongside her husband at the helm of Wells Group had given her a talent for saying exactly what needed to be said, without ever coming off as forceful.

She'd learned where Caiden would be, found out Iris wouldn't be working late, and cleverly suggested a relaxing evening out without asking Iris to bring Caiden home.

There was nothing left for Iris to do but agree. "Alright."

After ending the call, Iris sent Melody a quick message. "You free tonight?"

"Nothing planned. What's going on?"

"Come out with me. I'm heading to Brown Manor."

The place was a five-story building dressed up in vintage glamour.

It used to be the house of an official with the surname Brown.

Only the wealthy and powerful ever got through those doors. Word on the street was that blowing the price of a brand-new sports car here wasn't even unusual.

"I read somewhere that no one really knows who owns this place. I'd bet there's some mysterious heir from one of those old families pulling the strings. None of Slidrora's big shots would dare to cross whoever's behind it."

Upon arriving, the two women settled into a booth in the buzzing lobby on the ground floor.

A server came over and greeted them by name.

Iris raised her brows in surprise. "First time here, and you already know who we are?"

The young man smiled, all smooth charm. "Your reputation as the top cardiothoracic surgeon precedes you. And everyone in the city's heard about your friend's skill in obstetrics. We pride ourselves on keeping track of the best in the business."

With a mischievous flick of her eyeliner-accented gaze, Melody propped her chin in her palm. "How about you bring us three of your most expensive drinks? Two for us, and one for you."

The server flashed a grateful grin. "Thank you, Dr. Wells," he said before heading off.

Melody shook her head in amusement. "Brown Manor is on another level. Their staff must memorize every big name in Slidrora just to keep the service flawless—and to make sure they never step on the wrong toes."

Iris nodded. "I get the feeling that's exactly how they operate."

"No wonder they rake in so much money here. And did you notice that server? He's a real catch!"

While Iris hadn't gone for dramatic makeup, she'd let her hair down and let the soft waves frame her face, giving her a gentle air that contrasted her usual sharpness.

She couldn't help but tease, "Why not go for it?"

Melody just wagged her finger with a laugh. "I love to flirt with sweet, well-mannered guys, but for something serious, I want someone who knows how to take charge."

"You've got to stop reading those romance novels. They're starting to mess with your type." Iris rolled her eyes, scanning the lobby.

Although she was here, she had no intention of going to Caiden.

This whole night was about putting on a show for Caroline—nothing more.

Soon, the server came back, balancing two vibrant cocktails on a tray. "Ladies, please give them a taste and let me know what you think."

As he placed the glasses in front of them, he leaned close to Iris and murmured, "Mr. Wells is in the No. 1 VIP room on the second floor."

Iris could only stare, completely caught off guard by the server's whisper.

That level of personal attention was far from what she wanted—seeing Caiden was the last thing on her mind tonight.

Their conversation hadn't gone unnoticed, though.

Out of nowhere, a shrill voice rang out. "You pathetic old woman! What, you followed Caiden all the way here? You've been harassing him since you were kids..."

Before Ariana could finish, Melody's hand darted out and tossed her cocktail right into Ariana's face.

"An old woman? She's only 24! You think you can't live that long yourself? Oh, I forgot—mistresses don't usually make it to old age. However many years you've got, that's where your clock stops."

Ariana stood there, soaked and furious, sputtering as she tried to recover. "Did you just throw your drink at me? Do you realize how much Caiden spoils me? He bought me a diamond necklace worth thirty million just because I liked it. Who do you think you are? I could have Caiden ruin you both!"

She lunged for Melody, but a server quickly stepped in, holding her back.

Iris moved to stand between them, giving Ariana a calm, measured look. "Let her go. We're going to see Caiden. I'd love to see exactly how he plans to ruin us."

Ariana tossed her hair and sneered, "Fine, let's go! Whoever chickens out first is the real loser!"

Her heels clicked up the stairs, every step dripping with confidence. There was no doubt in her mind that Caiden would take her side.

How could he not? Just the other day, he'd dropped thirty million on a necklace for her without a second thought.

Caroline had claimed Ariana was sent away from Slidrora. Yet, here Ariana was, bold as ever. It dawned on Iris that Caiden must have brought her back.

Melody caught on quickly, worry and irritation written across her face. "Iris," she whispered, her voice low.

Iris offered a steady smile and walked upstairs without hesitation.

Inside, Brown Manor was a scene from another era. Soft jazz notes floated beneath gleaming chandeliers, and the air held the richness of cedar and whiskey, wrapping the room in warmth and history.

Without missing a beat, Iris pushed open the VIP room door.

Heads turned simultaneously to see who had entered.

She spotted Caiden instantly. He lounged on a plush sofa, cigarette burning lazily between his fingers, the ember casting fleeting shadows over his eyes.

There he was, looking every bit the untouchable playboy, detached and at ease, but Iris couldn't help but recall the nights they'd once shared—moments now blurred into something dreamlike and unreachable.

Ariana was perched at his feet, her voice lilting as she called for his attention.

Normally, Melody kept her distance from Caiden. Tonight, however, she'd had enough.

Marching right in, she didn't bother with pleasantries. "Caiden, it's been so long! When did you get back? Here, let's have a drink together."

She snatched a glass off the table, then "accidentally" let it tip straight onto Ariana. "Oh, sorry! Didn't see you there on the floor. For a second, I thought someone left their lapdog in here."

Ariana sprang to her feet, indignant.

Caiden ignored the chaos, not even glancing at Melody. He tapped his cigarette, eyes never leaving Iris. "Here to have some fun?"

Iris strode in with her head high, her composure unshaken. "While I was downstairs, Miss Watson stormed over, shouting that you were going to ruin me and my friend. I figured I'd come see how you planned to make good on that threat."

A heavy silence swept over the room, tension buzzing beneath the surface. Every face reflected a storm of feelings, but not a soul dared to speak first.

Most people in the room belonged to Caiden's inner circle. They had seen firsthand how he had always put his wife first, but not one of them had forgotten that vicious, public fight the couple had dragged everyone into a year back, without the slightest hint of restraint.

Right now, nobody could tell what Caiden was really thinking.

His old love and the new woman stood right before him. Which side would he pick?

If he chose to protect Iris and called out Ariana, that could only mean he was still hung up on his wife. On the other hand, if he stood up for Ariana...

Nobody had the chance to finish that thought, because Caiden let out an easy laugh, his tone laced with a careless humor. "She's still young, just running her mouth. Iris, you're a remarkable doctor who saves lives every day. Don't bother arguing with someone like her."

Ariana's grin stretched even wider at his words.

Everyone picked up on it—Caiden took Ariana's side.

Then Caiden continued, "Iris, don't let her ruin the evening. Come on, join us. Take it as my way of making things right."

He was actually smoothing things over for his mistress by offering an apology to his wife. The air was thick with unspoken meaning, and Melody looked ready to explode.

She tugged Iris toward the sofa. "Of course, let's all get in on the fun!"

No doubt, they could manage whatever came their way.

"So, what's the plan? Dice? Cards? Maybe something a little wilder? Caiden, I can't imagine you inviting us all here just to drink. That would be a letdown!"

Within Caiden's group, there was a man who went by Damian Stanley.

Glancing between Caiden and Iris, Damian was convinced that Caiden's invitation was to put Iris in her place.

What else could possibly explain Caiden's so-called apology, especially when he was making Iris stay and witness every affectionate glance he sent his mistress?

Damian, never truly part of Caiden's trusted circle, decided that now was his chance to stand out and maybe earn some favor.

He leaned in with a smirk. "How about we spice things up with a new game? I call it 'The Yes Game.' It's easy. Whoever's in the hot seat can only answer with 'yes.' If you can't manage, that's three drinks for you. Everyone gets three turns to ask."

His eyes darted to Caiden, clearly looking for approval. "What do you say?"

Caiden didn't bother to hide his indifference. With a lazy stretch, he replied, "Sure, let's do it."

Damian's attention snapped to Iris. "Ready to play? I heard you married Caiden because his mother insisted. Is that true?"

A hush swept through the gathering. Ariana let out a laugh, covering her mouth, while several others exchanged knowing looks and stifled grins.

Caiden's friend, Maverick Singh, looked ready to step in, but not knowing Caiden's intentions, he held back and watched.

Across from them, Iris stayed perfectly calm. "Yes."

"Over the last two years, Wells Group's stock value has skyrocketed. You keep clinging to Caiden, even showing up when he goes out drinking, terrified he might walk out on you. Is it because you can't let go of the status and money the Wells family brings?"

"Yes."

"From what I've heard, after you lost your parents, your family's fortune was torn apart by greedy relatives, leaving you no better off than a bar girl here. Isn't that right?"

At that, Melody shot up from her seat, face flushed with anger, but Iris caught her wrist and held her back.

Damian's gaze stayed fixed on Iris, half sneering, half curious. Iris even managed a gentle smile. "Yes."

Melody, unable to keep her frustration bottled up, seethed in silence. What kind of twisted game was this? It was just a setup to embarrass Iris.

She turned to Caiden, silently demanding he put a stop to this, but he sat there, cool and unreadable. The shadows in the room seemed to swallow his expression, leaving no clue as to whether he was upset or amused.

Despair crept into Melody's heart. What good was a husband who let his wife be treated this way?

Damian, clearly pleased with himself, turned to Caiden. "Your wife surely knows how to play this game."

Caiden flicked the bit of ash from his trousers, showing no sign of a response.

Meanwhile, Ariana, seated right beside him, felt the change in the room. Whatever laughter she had left her in a heartbeat, and she shrank back, suddenly unwilling to meet anyone's eyes.

"I believe it's my turn," Iris said, her tone steady. "Mr. Stanley, you lost twenty million at a casino last year, then quietly replaced the money by siphoning company funds. Is that right?"

Color drained from Damian's face. "You—"

"The rules are simple. You can only say 'yes.' If you can't, you should drink three glasses of wine instead." Iris flashed a cool smile.

Every eye in the room landed on Damian. He realized refusing would only push him further to the sidelines of Caiden's world. Jaw clenched, he muttered, "Yes."

"There was that college student you dated. She got pregnant, but you told her to get rid of it and blocked her after the procedure. She blew the whistle online, and you lost a handful of your top clients. Is that right?"

"You're spouting nonsense!" Damian sprang up, outrage on his face.

Caiden's voice sliced through the tension. "Stick to the rules."

Humiliated, Damian froze. He stood rigid as his face went from red to ghostly white. "Yes."

"When that blew up in your face, you ran to a certain big shot for help. He's a gay, and you did what you had to do. That's how you landed yourself in the proctology department. Is that right?" Iris added.

Laughter broke out across the room.

Damian stared at Iris in disbelief. He could not understand how she uncovered these secrets. Rage boiled over. "You'd better shut your mouth!"

He lunged for a wine bottle, raising it as if to strike. For a split second, everyone froze. The next instant, Caiden kicked the coffee table out of the way, sending glass everywhere as Damian crashed against the wall and slid to the floor.

The shock in the room was absolute.

Caiden stretched out, then let his leg drop back to the floor before sinking into the sofa. He sneered, "Did I admit you were my friend? You sure know how to flatter yourself. Pulling stunts like that in front of me—what do you think you're doing? Get out of my sight."

On the floor, Damian barely managed a groan, pain etched across his face. Maverick gave a small nod, and two men hauled Damian away without a second thought.

After tonight, any chance Damian had at becoming part of Caiden's inner circle was gone for good. The Stanley family wouldn't recover in Slidrora anytime soon.

Silence hung in the air until Melody, peeking out from behind Iris, grumbled, "Unbelievable! Sometimes, he drives you crazy, but then, he turns around and does something like that and you can't help but be impressed."

For Iris, this was nothing remarkable. She recalled the time Caiden had handled four men with barely a scratch while carrying her in his arms.

Nobody dared to break the quiet after that. Ariana shrank back into a corner, clearly rattled by Caiden's outburst. The others kept their distance.

Caiden flicked his lighter, drew in a breath of smoke, and said, "Let's keep going. I'll take this round." His gaze lingered on Iris through the haze. "It's your turn."

Iris's throat felt dry. She scanned the drinks, avoiding the showy cocktails, and reached for a simple white glass. One sip told her it was sweet, not too strong—just enough to take the edge off.

Caiden didn't take his eyes off her as she cradled the glass, her posture straight and dignified, a rare contrast in a room filled with excess.

Breaking the quiet, Iris spoke up. "You begged me to marry you, didn't you?"

That caught everyone by surprise. A few jaws dropped, and Melody got so excited she finished her drink in one go.

Caiden let out a low laugh. "Yes."

Iris leaned in, voice steady. "You keep dragging out the marriage because you still want to hold on to me. Isn't that the truth?"

Not long ago, Damian had thrown out accusations, claiming she trapped Caiden into marriage and wouldn't walk away from his fortune. Now she wanted everyone to hear the truth straight from Caiden's lips. Even if it was only part of their game, she pushed him to admit that he was the one who wanted this, that he was the one who wouldn't let her go.

Caiden's smile turned more enigmatic as he tipped his head in her direction. "Yes."

Ariana could barely contain herself, stamping her heel against the floor as irritation flashed across her face. In her eyes, Iris was shameless, trying to twist reality into some sort of victory.

Without missing a beat, Iris delivered her third question. "You cheated on me, didn't you?"