Brandon called for the third time, but I remained motionless, cocooned in the sheets.

Without a word, he swept me up, effortlessly lifting me from the bed and placing me back down, this time in the comfort of my own space.

"Baby, you can hold a grudge, but you can't starve yourself," he whispered softly, his voice like velvet against my ear. "I made something just for you... Just one bite, please?"

He gently pushed a tray of food onto my lap, the aroma of fresh lobster bisque filling the air. His arm slid around my waist, pulling me closer, while his other hand slipped under the blanket, sliding down to the soft curve of my back, fingertips pressing with a possessive tenderness.

I glared at him, my irritation still simmering, but curiosity got the better of me. I glanced down at the bowl, ready to dismiss whatever he had prepared.

But instead of soup, there was a small velvet box nestled beneath the steaming bowl. I hesitated, then slowly opened it.

Inside, a diamond-encrusted bracelet gleamed-a flawless piece that could easily be worth over a hundred thousand dollars. It wasn't something any ordinary man could buy... not unless he was someone like Brandon, a ruthless kingpin with a fortune built on blood and power.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear, his voice a teasing whisper. "Are you still angry, baby?"

"So, you've been disappearing early in the mornings and coming back late at night just to earn a little extra to buy me a bracelet? You must've been saving for months, huh?"

"Yeah, exactly. You're always so sharp, my little genius."

"How about we go to the Grand Canyon next week? I asked Lyon yesterday, and your business isn't exactly swamped these days, right?"

"Of course."

Lyon-Brandon's so-called 'brother' and loyal sidekick. Loyal, yes. But not the brightest tool in the shed.

After dinner, Brandon went to the laundry room to wash clothes. I turned on the shower in the bathroom, deliberately letting it steam up, pretending to take a shower.

But instead of bathing, I snuck to the laundry room door and listened in on Brandon's conversation.

"Lyon, if you can't handle this, just get the hell out! My wife... What if she finds out what I'm really up to?"

When Brandon came to me later that night, I didn't turn him away. But within two minutes, I could barely hold back my laugh.

"Sorry, darling, but my period just started."

In the middle of the night, I suddenly felt the space beside me empty.

Brandon had gotten up and put on his clothes.

I reached out and grabbed his wrist.

"Where do you think you're going, darling?"

"Sweetheart, the company just called me in for some overtime work."

Brandon always did this-whenever he got nervous, he'd fall back on calling me "sweetheart," like it could smooth everything over.

I could feel the lie hanging in the air, but I fought the urge to call him out on it. Instead, I tugged at his fingers, forcing myself to act nonchalant.

"But my head hurts so much."

His large hand immediately pressed against my forehead, warm and soothing, like he actually cared.

"Let me get you some water, okay?" His voice was soft, almost too soft.

Just as he moved to pull away, I held his hand tighter, keeping it where it was.

"No, I don't need water. Just... stay. Can you massage my head instead?"

Finally, with a soft sigh, Brandon gave in, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.

"Okay, I won't go."

After massaging my head for what felt like an eternity, Brandon reluctantly pulled away, heading for the kitchen to make me some tea.

I settled back against the headboard, my ears straining to catch his low voice as he stood out on the balcony, speaking in hushed tones.

"If we can't settle things with the Viper Clan, don't push them. Their second-in-command... he's dangerous."

I could barely keep my eyes open by the time Brandon returned, the steam from the tea swirling in the dim light.

"Darling, am I holding you up? Will they dock your pay for this?" I tried to keep my voice light, but the words tasted bitter.

Since graduating from college,. Freelancing had been my life, and my income was more than enough to keep me comfortable.

Brandon chuckled, shaking his head as he set the tea down on the nightstand.

"Not at all. My team's amazing. And besides... I'm all about the wife-nothing is more important than you."

I couldn't help but smile, even though something about his words didn't sit right.

"Is that so? Since everyone is so amazing, how about I invite them all out for dinner this weekend? A little celebration, maybe?"

I kept my eyes locked on his, watching for the slightest shift in his expression.

"Sure," he said smoothly. "I'll let them know."

His smile never faltered.

I curled into his arms, closing my eyes, but in the back of my mind, I was already planning my next move.

I was going to see just how far he'd go to keep up the act.

The day of the gathering, just as Brandon and I were about to head out, I suddenly felt a sharp cramp in my stomach.

"I... I'm not feeling well, honey. I need to use the bathroom, it'll take about twenty minutes."

Brandon's expression faltered, concern flooding his face as he immediately nodded.

"Of course, take your time."

I could see his nervousness, but I chose not to press it. Instead, I turned and walked toward the bathroom, my mind racing.

After about twenty minutes, I returned, and Brandon was pacing by the door, clearly waiting for me. We hurried out, but by the time we left, we were already five minutes late for our dinner.

Arriving at the restaurant's private room, just as Brandon had predicted, no one was there yet.

I blinked, pretending to be concerned, though my amusement was hard to mask.

"Honey, do you think they're trying to ignore you on purpose?"

Before I could even finish the question, the door swung open, and several men walked in, one after another.

"Sis-in-law."

The first one to enter was Lyon, the one I knew best.

"Hello, everyone. This must be the boss, right? Please, have a seat."

I scanned the group, my eyes landing on the youngest, quietest man at the very end.

He gave a subtle nod, passing by me with his head bowed, sweat beading at his temple.

The weather was hot, and yet, all six of them wore matching uniforms-white shirts and ties-with their buttons all the way up to the top, perfectly in place.

"Aren't you guys hot?"

Two of them nodded, while the other four shook their heads, their faces unreadable.

Brandon suddenly cleared his throat, lifting his hand to his mouth, his face unreadable.

At that, all six men shook their heads in unison.

"Alright then. Is everyone late because of something?"

"Had some urgent work."

"Ran into some unexpected issues."

Their answers came in perfect harmony, but each of them was different.

I couldn't hold back the smile that tugged at my lips.

"I see. But it looks like you all came together, didn't you?"

"They were stuck in a meeting, and we three were delayed by traffic."

Lyon jumped in, lightening the mood.

Dishes started coming out, but the talk quickly drifted to the unbearable heat.

"I swear, it feels like we're eating in a sauna!" Lyon laughed, fanning himself dramatically.

"Last week I tried to bake a pizza and ended up with a black hole."

A few awkward chuckles filled the air.

Then Lyon's phone buzzed.

He glanced at it, and the grin on his face couldn't be contained.

Catching my eye, Lyon cleared his throat.

"The... boss just messaged. He said he's promoting me."

Lyon elbowed his "boss" next to him. Brandon, however, was eyeing us both.

"When did you and Lyon become so chummy?"

"Not much. Just last time, when you were MIA, I asked Lyon where you disappeared to. That's it."

Reaching for the breadbasket, I slowly placed a roll on Brandon's plate-taking my time.

Petty? Maybe.

The next roll? It dropped right into Lyon's bowl.

"Congrats on the promotion."

Brandon suddenly coughed violently, spitting water across the table.

Lyon's face drained of color as panic took over. He fumbled with napkins, his hands shaking. "Brandon, are you okay?" he stuttered.

The boss rushed over, his hands trembling as he patted Brandon's back. "You alright?"

One of the others nearly dropped a glass of water, his hand shaking as he offered it. "Here, here..."

Brandon shook his head, his voice cold. "Back to your seats."

The group quickly returned to their places. The boss cleared his throat, trying to regain composure, but Brandon shot him a sharp glare.

"Right," the boss mumbled, adjusting his tie. "Let's... carry on."

His neighbor muttered, "Something's wrong... Boss..."

He glanced at Brandon.

Brandon's eyes locked with him. "The boss is right there. Why are you looking at me?"

The man scrambled, then awkwardly turned to the head of the table.

"We've got a server malfunction," he stammered.

I smiled sweetly. "You guys keep talking . I'll be back in a sec."

When I returned, I saw the men awkwardly pulling away from Brandon.

I stood in the doorway, forcing a smile.

"Honey, didn't realize you were the spine of your team."

"Y-yeah, Brandon's, uh... the heart, soul, and... spine," the boss stammered, caught off guard.

I suppressed a laugh.

Brandon wrapped up the awkward dinner, and we headed home.

In the car, Brandon sat, clearly holding something back.

I glanced at him and broke the silence.

"So... don't you have something to tell me?"