His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 418

His expression was utterly stoic, though a flicker of exhaustion showed in his eyes.

"You still haven't made up with Virginia?" Helena patted her lips with a napkin, phrasing it as a statement rather than a question.

Archer's hand paused as he reached for a plate, but he didn't answer.

Helena let out a sigh. "It's completely normal for couples your age to have friction. But the silent treatment is devastating. Small arguments can bring you closer, but if things blow up too much, you leave thorns in each other's hearts. Even if you reconcile later, the scars will remain."

She stared at her son's rigid jawline and pressed on. "Virginia is a very reserved girl. She responds to softness, not force. You're the man of the house; you need to be more accommodating."

She knew her son perfectly well; he was hopelessly emotionally repressed.

Plus, there wasn't any truly irreconcilable conflict between them anyway. Therefore, if he just swallowed his pride, it would be far easier to patch things up.

Archer picked up the cup of tea by his hand and took a sip.

The bitter taste spread across his tongue.

"I know what I'm doing." He set the cup down and stood up. "I still have things to handle at the office. I'm leaving."

Helena had no idea if a single word of hers had actually gotten through his thick skull. His impenetrable poker face nearly drove her insane.

Night had fallen by the time the Maybach returned to South Hill.

Archer pushed the car door open. As he stepped out, he yanked his tie loose and undid his top two buttons.

Inside the living room, the amber sconces were glowing. Virginia wore an emerald-green slip dress, holding a vintage brass watering can to mist the Endless Summer Hydrangeas blooming against the wall.

The fine mist caught the light, creating a sparkling halo.

Even as the door opened and shut, she never turned her head, acting as if he simply didn't exist.

Archer stood frozen, staring at her distant, slender back. The rage, the frustration, the bitter resentment of the past few days were instantly replaced by a crushing wave of helplessness.

"Let go of me," she demanded, her voice entirely devoid of emotion.

Instead of letting go, Archer tightened his hold, trapping her completely in his embrace.

"I've been leaving early and coming back late these past few days because Toby just went back to school." He closed his eyes, breathing in the soft scent of white tea lingering in her hair. "Chloe said he was emotionally unstable and asked me to personally pick him up until he settled in. I promised to look after him, so I couldn't say no."

Virginia's movements halted completely.

So that was why.

She had assumed he was chauffeuring Chloe and her son to rekindle old flames, not simply for Toby's sake.

The suffocating, bitter ache in her chest miraculously began to lift.

Archer plucked the watering can from her grasp, setting it casually on a nearby shelf, then gripped her shoulders and turned her around to face him.