Semua Bab Second Marriage to the Billionaire: Ex-Husband Begs Me Not to Go: Bab 571 - Bab 580

“Fine, but next time you’re not allowed to pull anything like that.”Aria tried to glare, but the effect was more adorable than intimidating.Archer played along. “Mm, I wouldn’t dare.”He said it with all seriousness, though whether he truly meant it—only he knew.By the time noon had passed, they’d each taken care of a bit of work. As evening drew closer, they tidied up and got ready to head to the Jackson home.…Rachel had prepared dinner herself.On the table was a colorful salad of julienned carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers, lightly dressed with olive oil and balsamic, sprinkled with sesame seeds for crunch.Beside it sat a platter of meatballs in rich tomato-herb sauce, each one large and hearty, with bits of finely chopped onion and celery folded in for texture. They were browned on the outside, tender inside, and the sauce clung to them with a mouthwatering aroma.There was also a dish of garlic-butter shrimp laid neatly over angel-hair pasta, the noodles soaking

“You mean Wendy Luther?”Aria’s voice shook with disbelief.Rachel nodded. “Yes. Wendy is the Luther family’s daughter, their most pampered child. She’s never been married, her status is secure. Of course she’s more suited to marry into the Duncans than you are.”Her tone softened, as though she were offering heartfelt advice. “Aria, you need to know your place. If you’re smart, you’ll divorce Archer now and step aside. Don’t make a fool of yourself.”Aria’s gaze went icy.“You’re actually telling me to hand Archer over to someone like Wendy?”“What do you mean, ‘someone like Wendy’!” Rachel’s eyes sharpened, full of anger. To her, her daughter was beautiful and clever—how could anyone speak against her?Aria’s voice stayed cold. “Wendy may carry the Luther name, but everyone in high society despises her. Marrying her would drag down any family. You want me to break up with Archer, but did you even ask if Archer wants her? Did you ask if the Duncans would accept her?”“Shut up!”

This was madness.What had he just heard?James was actually saying his sister should split from Archer—the heir to the Duncan family, the man already holding the reins of Duncan Industries? Had his sister completely lost her mind?Peter couldn’t wrap his head around it. Just days ago, Rachel had been protecting Aria, insisting the family stand behind her. And now here she was, tearing her down at every turn, praising Wendy like she was heaven-sent.Wendy Luther? Of all people? The entire circle knew what a disaster she was. This reasoning was beyond ridiculous.The door hadn’t even been latched properly. Peter pushed it open and stepped inside.Rachel’s face twisted, almost feral, as she spat out the same words again and again: Aria wasn’t worthy. Aria didn’t belong. Aria needed to leave Archer.Peter couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Just days ago she’d sounded supportive, and now it was pure disdain.Yes—disdain.“What are you playing at this time?” Peter snapped, movin

Back when Ethan had just come off the operating table, his lab coat was still flecked with blood, and he was so exhausted he could barely think straight. So when Archer drove Aria all the way to the hospital, Ethan thought it must be an emergency—something urgent that needed surgery.He rushed over, parched and dizzy, only to be shown Aria’s finger… pricked by a shrimp shell. A cut so tiny it would’ve closed on its own in ten minutes. Ethan nearly lost it. Was this a joke? But in the end, he sighed, gave her some ointment, and let them go.Later, he vented in their group chat: Archer had lost his damn mind.Aria remembered that clearly. And that’s how she knew tonight’s silence wasn’t nothing. Archer cared about her so much that even the smallest scratch unsettled him. To see her mother hit her—of course he was furious. If it hadn’t been Rachel, Aria was sure he wouldn’t have let it go so easily.Honestly, Archer’s anger scared her a little. That heavy tension he carried—it was har

Was Archer really angry just because of that slap?Not really. The slap was secondary. What truly set him off was Rachel’s attitude toward Aria.The Duncans had mocked her before, the Luthers had hinted at things too, but none of them ever spoke as viciously as Rachel just had. And Aria could brush those people off—they weren’t family, they didn’t know her, their words carried no weight.But Rachel was different. She was her mother. After her father’s death, it had been just Rachel, Aria, and James holding on to each other. Aria cared what she thought. That was why Rachel’s words cut so deep.Christina had nailed it.[Christina]: Aria, if Archer really brings this up with you, don’t push him away. There might never be another man who loves you this much.[Christina]: If you want to ease his anger, maybe agree to what he asks. Then kiss him, tell him you love him. He lives for that from you—it’ll make him happy.Aria paused after reading. She understood exactly what Christina mea