The winter night was biting, the air sharp enough to cut skin.

The freezing rain had just stopped, leaving the world slick and miserable. I was wrapped in a heavy puffer jacket, yet the chill still seeped into my bones.

Vienna Cruz stood on the porch, shivering in nothing but a thin knit sweater, her knees tucked against her chest. Desmond Knight pulled off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

She looked up, tears clinging to her eyelashes. "I was wrong today. I shouldn’t have laid a hand on her." Her voice trembled, more tears spilling over. "Desmond, I know I messed up."

Desmond’s voice softened, the cold edge of his tone blunted. "Let's go inside to talk."

Vienna grabbed his sleeve, pressing a medical report into his hand. "I’m pregnant."

I stepped around them, my movements brisk. "Excuse me. I need to get inside."

This wasn’t my stage, and I had no intention of playing a part in this scene.

Behind me, Vienna’s wailing persisted. "What are we going to do? You can't just ignore the baby. Your parents have to know the truth."

Before I could hear Desmond’s response, my phone buzzed with an incoming FaceTime request from Fletcher Reed.

When I answered, it wasn’t just Fletcher on the screen. He was with the handsome guy I’d seen in the photos earlier. We exchanged a few awkward pleasantries, the air thick with the realization of what was being arranged for me.

Fletcher walked a few paces away from the camera. "Serenity, look, I’m practically like a big brother to you. I’m not trying to meddle, but you know the dynamic between Desmond and Vienna. You need to start looking out for yourself."

I offered a polite, distant smile. "I know, Fletcher. Don't worry."

"I’ve already made up my mind," I added, my voice steady. "I’m not interested in being the third wheel. To me, Desmond is just my brother."

I hung up, and found Desmond standing in the doorway. He must have entered while I was distracted. His face was a mask of thunderous annoyance—perhaps Vienna’s news was more of a headache than he’d anticipated.

I smiled at him. "Desmond, let's head to your parents' place tomorrow. We should settle everything with them once and for all."

His eyes darkened, unreadable and heavy. He stared at me for a long time before he gave a curt nod. "Fine."

The next day, I waited for him at the coffee shop downstairs from his office.

But when he arrived, he wasn’t alone. Desmond and Vienna had brought another man with them.

"Serenity, meet my cousin, Kylian Gomez," Vienna said, her smile wide and artificial as she shoved Kylian into the seat beside me.

I shifted away, but she pushed him right back into my personal space.

The suffocating discomfort forced me to look at Desmond, hoping for some semblance of support. He didn’t even glance my way.

"I’ve looked into Kylian’s background, his character, and his education," Desmond said, his tone clinical. "He’s a good match for you. The guy Fletcher introduced? He’s nothing but a pretty face."

He didn't look at me, his gaze fixed somewhere past my shoulder. "Only when we both find people we actually like will my parents stop obsessing over this marriage."

I finally understood the game he was playing.

I forced a smile, stretching my hand out toward Kylian. "Nice to meet you, Kylian. I’m Serenity Knight. Should we exchange contact info?"

The rest of the lunch felt like an eternity. As soon as the bill was paid, Vienna shot a sharp look at Desmond and pulled Kylian away.

My smile vanished the second they were out of earshot. I grabbed my bag and stood up. "Let's go. Your parents' house. Now."