Chapter 7

"Hun!" Archie exclaimed, taking a step backward, his eyes darting between Dominic and Rosie. The unexpected turn of events left him reeling, his mind struggling to process how things had escalated so quickly. 

He didn't expect Dominic's bold move, and the realization that another man was standing up for Rosie left him looking flustered and out of his depth.

Dominic strode to Rosie's side, his face etched with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and gentle.

Rosie nodded, her expression still tense. "Yes, I'm fine."

"Dominic, sorry for your loss." Archie offered a belated apology, attempting to salvage the situation.

Dominic's gaze turned cool as he responded, "thank you," his eyes locked onto Archie, and his tone dripped with disdain as he gestured at Phoebe with a finger. "Archie, who's this... woman? What are you doing with someone like her?"

Phoebe felt a surge of anger, but she bit back her retort, choosing to compose herself in Dominic's presence. With a calm smile, she introduced herself. "I'm his wife," Her tone was polite. "I'm sorry you met me in this situation. This... peasant is just rude, and I think it's time someone taught her some manners."

Dominic's expression turned skeptical, his tone laced with disdain. "You're his wife?" He raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with indifference. "So, what's special about being his wife?"

His gaze swept over Phoebe, his eyes cold and dismissive. "How can you claim she's rude? I've been watching you since this started, and it seems like you're the one who's been throwing insults left and right."

"Actually, you can't understand; " Phoebe attempted to defend herself, but Dominic cut her off, his tone unforgiving. 

"Stop embarrassing yourself in public. Your husband is a respected figure, and you're humiliating him with your behavior."

Archie stepped in, trying to mitigate the situation. "Dominic, please, forgive her on my behalf."

Dominic's gaze shifted to Archie, his expression a mix of disappointment and concern. "Archie, what kind of man would marry a woman like this?" He bashed, his tone laced with a patronizing concern. "How can she act like this in front of you, and you can't even rein her in?"

"Are you blinded by love or just plain clueless?" Dominic asked, his voice laced with frustration. He was visibly agitated, his anger boiling over into his words.

Archie's expression furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Dominic took a deep breath, trying to temper his tone. "I mean, you're a great guy, Archie. Why did you settle for someone like her when there are so many amazing women out there?" His words tumbled out before he could filter them, his emotions getting the better of him.

Archie felt his face burning with humiliation, but he knew he had to take the high road. After all, Phoebe's behavior had led to this. "I'm sorry," he muttered, trying to salvage the situation.

Dominic's gaze narrowed. "For your sake, I'll let this slide... this once. But if she causes another scene or disrespects anyone in my circle, there will be consequences. I won't hesitate to call her out." He warned, his tone firm, leaving no room for doubt.

"You're defending her because you don't know her past," Phoebe sneered, trying to tarnish Rosie's reputation. "I'm sure you'd chase her away if you knew what she's done."

Dominic shrugged off the jab. "I don't care about her past. That's your problem to deal with."

"Are we still welcome here?" Archie intervened, attempting to steer the conversation back on track.

Dominic's response was straightforward and stern. "You are welcome; but only if you can keep your wife in check. Warn her to know her place and stay out of trouble."

Archie nodded, relieved. "Thank you."

Dominic hoisted Liam onto his shoulder and pulled Rosie close, his arm wrapping possessively around her neck. "Let's go." He said, his voice low and gentle.

Rosie's face lit up with a smile. "Okay," She replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

As they stepped into the elevator, Archie's eyes turned a deep shade of red, his gaze fixed on Rosie's retreating form. He felt a storm brewing inside him, a mix of emotions he couldn't quite untangle. 

Was it jealousy? Anger? He wasn't sure, but one thing was certain; he wanted Dominic out of the picture, and a miracle seemed like the only way to make that happen.

He seethed with a desire to intervene; to stride over and pry Dominic's hand off Rosie's shoulder. He fantasized about commanding Dominic to let her go; to break the physical connection that seemed to ignite a primal possessiveness within him.

Transfixed, he watched as the elevator doors swallowed them whole. His eyes lingered on Rosie's smiling lips, her joyous laughter a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside him. 

As the doors closed, he ground his teeth, frustration and helplessness washing over him like a dark wave.

Phoebe's eyes narrowed as she followed Archie's gaze to Rosie, a spark of jealousy igniting within her. She stepped closer, her voice laced with a hint of possessiveness. "Archie, what's going on? Why are you looking at her like that?"

Archie's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "What's with the question, Phoebe? You think you can read my mind? Just get in the car and wait for me, or better yet, let's get one thing straight; I brought you here, you'd do well to remember that."

Phoebe's hand boiled into a fist, her mind seething with anger, her instincts screaming to escape the suffocating atmosphere. She longed to turn back, to flee the hall and its toxic tension, but Archie's presence near Rosie kept her rooted. 

With a tight smile, she masked her fury, unwilling to risk leaving Archie alone with his ex. "I'm sorry."