Chapter 8

Phoebe's eyes scanned the hall, her gaze lingering on the rows of tables until she spotted Rosie, Dominic, and Liam seated prominently in the front row. A spark of irritation flared within her as she clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Why does she get to sit up there, while we're stuck back here?" She muttered under her breath.

Her mind whirred with schemes as she searched for a way to corner Rosie. Stuck behind Archie's watchful eye, she couldn't exactly storm over. But she wasn't one to give up easily.

After a moment's thought, a plan hatched in her mind. With a sugary sweet smile, Phoebe turned to Archie. "Archie…" she purred, her voice dripping with innocence.

Archie's gaze met hers, his response curt. "What?"

Phoebe's voice took on a contrite tone, barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry about what happened earlier... please forgive me."

Archie's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained detached. "It's fine." He lifted his wine glass, taking a sip as he turned his attention back to the stage, his gaze drifting away from her.

Phoebe's eyes dropped, hesitation creeping in as she debated how to broach the sensitive topic. "Archie…" she ventured, but was met with silence. She tried again, "Archie…" still, no response. 

She lifted her gaze and found Archie lost in thought, his eyes fixed on Rosie. A spark of fury ignited within Phoebe, and her smile turned acidic. How dare he look at Rosie while she's right here? 

"You must be thrilled to see her again."

Archie's gaze snapped back to her, his expression puzzled. "What are you talking about?" His eyes blinked rapidly, his voice stammering. "Why... what do you mean? Why would I be happy to see her?"

Phoebe's voice took on a probing tone. "Why wouldn't you be happy to see her again? She's your ex, a woman you once loved until I came into your life and changed everything,"

"If you're not happy to see her, do you wish her dead?" 

"But…" Archie's response faltered, a hesitant hanging in the air, but Phoebe didn't let him finish as her mind poured out in a torrent. 

"You don't have to lie. I understand. It must be hard for you, which is why you can't take your eyes off her." 

Archie chuckled softly, recognizing the underlying motive behind Phoebe's words. He knew exactly where she was driving the conversation. "I wasn't looking at her, I'm looking at the stage." 

"Okay, you're looking at the stage, but your mind is with her. I'm right in front of you, and yet your attention is fixated on another woman." Phoebe's response was swift, her voice laced with accusation. 

Archie tuned Phoebe out, deliberately shifting his focus back to the stage to deflect the tension. 

Phoebe's words fell on deaf ears, and she eventually fell silent, her gaze drifting back to Rosie. As she studied Rosie's features, a sudden question popped into her mind. "Is that boy Rosie's child? Or is she babysitting for Dominic?"

She shook her head, quickly dismissing the idea. "No, it can't be Dominic's son," Her mind whirled with possibilities until a shocking realization dawned on her. Her eyebrows shot up, and her mouth dropped open in silent incredulity. "That's not possible... it can't be!"

She leaned in, her curiosity getting the better of her, until the table halted her from moving forward. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Dear, did you-" 

Before she could pry further, Archie's raised finger silenced her. "No more words." 

Phoebe's nose twitched in indignation as she straightened up, feeling rebuked. Seeking to sting Archie's pride, she launched into a pointed remark. "No offense, but I'm surprised to see Dominic standing up for Rosie,"

Her tone was laced with subtle venom, aimed squarely at Archie's heart. "I wonder what's between them that makes him so protective of her, even in public."

Archie's eyes flashed with fury at the mention of the incident that made the scene flash in his face again, his grip on his trousers tightening as he wrestled with his temper. 

Phoebe's grin spread like wildfire, her excitement palpable as she watched Archie's aggression simmer just below the surface. Her tongue darted out, moistening her lips as she taunted him. "Aren't you curious?"

She leaned back, exhaling a slow, deliberate breath. "I wonder how she managed to snare him. Another notch on her belt, another man ensnared in her web. She's a master mani-"

Archie's patience snapped, his eyes narrowing as he cut her off mid-sentence. "It seems it's proving rather... challenging to keep you in line," he said, his voice low and menacing as he turned to face her. 

His gaze pinned her in place, a warning glinting in its depths. "Phoebe, I'm giving you a choice. You can either behave yourself, or you can wait for me in the car. The decision is yours."

"Did I do something wrong? What exactly did I say?" Phoebe's voice cracked slightly, frustration simmering beneath her words. "You told me to stay away from her. Fine. But am I not even allowed to have an opinion now?" She yanked her arm free, her eyes flashing.

He didn't flinch. "My question still stands, Phoebe. Are you going to keep it together, or do you want to wait in the car?" His tone was calm, but there was steel underneath. "Or better yet, if you'd rather not wait, feel free to go home."

Phoebe drew in a sharp breath through her nose, forcing it out slowly, as if trying to exhale her anger. Her chest rose and fell with deliberate restraint.

"I'll behave," she said tightly, the words brittle in her mouth.

He gave a curt nod. "Good."