Lahat ng Kabanata ng Second Marriage to the Billionaire: Ex-Husband Begs Me Not to Go: Kabanata 511 - Kabanata 520

“Why’d you suddenly quit?”Aria leaned in a little, discreetly breathing him in. Sure enough, the familiar trace of smoke she’d always noticed on him was completely gone.“Aria doesn’t like the smell,” Archer said casually, pulling her down onto the sofa beside him.Her face flamed instantly. She turned, staring at his calm, striking profile as if seeing him for the first time. He had just dropped that line like it was nothing, completely unaware of how much weight it carried.He quit smoking—silently, without a word—just because she didn’t like it.She never would have known if he hadn’t let it slip. He’d never smoked in front of her, so she assumed he still lit up when she wasn’t around. But no—he’d quit. All for her.Before she could say anything, Anson stepped in to save her from her growing embarrassment. “Grandma, I’ve got a lighter.” He fished one out of his pocket and handed it over. “But what do you need it for?”Marianne blinked, waved a hand. “Oh, I’ll put it to use.”

Aria and Archer stayed for dinner at the Duncan estate before heading home. The next day was Sunday, and as usual, they had promised to visit her family.If Aria had no other obligations, she went home at least once a week. Even if she couldn’t stay long, she always made time to sit with her mother. And whenever Archer was free, he went with her.That afternoon, Rachel was in the kitchen rinsing fruit, waiting for them to arrive. She had just finished when the doorbell rang.“I’m coming!” Rachel called out. She rinsed her hands under the tap, dried them quickly on her apron, and hurried to the door with a smile. “What brings you here so early today?”Her smile froze the moment she saw who it was.Standing at the door was her older brother, Peter, and his wife, Julie, their arms loaded with gift bags.“Rachel,” Peter greeted warmly, as though nothing had ever happened between them.Rachel’s face turned to ice. Without a word, she started to shut the door.But Peter wedged his sh

“Come on, if you really felt sorry, you would’ve come years ago. Not now, not conveniently when Aria and Archer are setting a wedding date!” Rachel’s voice shook with anger. “Do you think I’m stupid?!”“You’re not here to apologize. You’re here to cling to the Duncans, to play the doting brother now that it suits you. Dream on. Where were you when we needed help? When the Jackson family collapsed, you couldn’t cut ties fast enough. You couldn’t run from us quickly enough. And now? Now that there’s something to gain, suddenly you’re all smiles?”Her voice rose, nearly breaking. “Tell me, Peter—look me in the eye and tell me honestly. If Aria weren’t with Archer, would you even be standing at my door right now? Would you have come to apologize? When I was sick, lying in a hospital bed needing surgery, Aria begged you through tears to help us. Where were you?”Rachel’s chest heaved, her eyes bright with fury. “When Aria graduated high school, even with a scholarship, we couldn’t cover

Peter gave a strained smile. “Besides, Archer’s clearly in love with Aria. Who am I to think I could break them apart? That would be ridiculous.”Before Rachel could cut in, he lifted a hand quickly. “Wait, don’t bite my head off. I’m not insulting you—just hear me out. The truth is, there’s a massive gap between your family and the Duncans. Calling it night and day doesn’t even begin to cover it.”Rachel’s mouth curved into a mocking smirk, but Peter pushed forward.“When families like that marry, it’s not just about the couple. It’s money, reputation, power—two dynasties coming together. But the Jacksons went bankrupt years ago. On paper, this marriage isn’t a partnership, it’s charity. And let’s be real—Aria walking in with nothing of her own? That’s not how it works. Even regular families help their daughter start off—covering part of the wedding, maybe pitching in for a car or a house down payment. People notice those things. If Aria walks in with nothing, it’ll raise eyebrows.

She’d already said everything that needed to be said, yet Peter still stood there, thick-skinned as ever, acting like he was patiently enduring her tantrum.That shameless ability to twist black into white—Rachel knew she’d never be able to match it in this lifetime.“I’m sincerely asking for your forgiveness,” Peter said with a pained voice. “If you won’t let us inside, then we’ll just wait here—wait until you’re ready to forgive us.” His eyes even shimmered with tears, as if he were heartbroken that his own sister could treat him this way.Rachel had never in her life met anyone so brazen. Compared to Peter, even someone unreasonable like Sandra seemed almost… simple.“Peter! How..!” Rachel’s voice broke with anger and helplessness. His shamelessness left her choking back words.Just then, the soft whir of wheels reached her ears. Rachel flinched, turning to see her son James in his wheelchair behind her.He’d been in his room, massaging his legs, when he heard the doorbell and