Lex, Luca, and Zane stare at me, clearly unsure what to say.

But honestly?

That’s not the part getting to me.

It’s the fact that Dion is sitting across from me in my living room.

It’s rare for all five of us to be together since Dion lives in London, and the fact that he flew in overnight means they’re genuinely worried about me.

“What the fuck is this bullshit about you breaking up a week before the wedding?” Dion finally asks. “You were supposed to be the lucky one out of all of us, dickhead. You’re the only one who actually got to marry the person you loved, and somehow you still managed to fuck it up.”

I drag a hand through my hair and stare up at the ceiling.

“It’s not like I wanted this, Dion. I’m just as blindsided as you are. I knew we had issues, but what couple doesn’t? I never thought she’d actually call off the wedding for real.”

Luca groans dramatically and shoves Dion’s shoulder.

“You suck at emotional support,” he complains. “Why did we think you’d be the best person for this?”

Then he points toward Lexington.

“Your turn, Lex. Put that PhD to use.”

Lex frowns immediately.

“I have a PhD in robotics,” he deadpans. “What exactly do you want me to do? Build him a robot fiancée?”

Zane bursts out laughing.

“At least the robot would probably have more personality than Hannah ever did.”

I glare at him, but he keeps going anyway.

“Seriously though, are any of you actually upset they broke up? Because honestly? Fuck this whole ‘love match’ fantasy. Clearly love makes Ares fucking blind.”

I shake my head and lift my whiskey glass.

“Thanks, guys,” I mutter dryly. “I feel so much better now.”

My brothers laugh quietly amongst themselves, and suddenly it hits me.

They are worried about me.

But underneath that concern?

There’s obvious relief.

None of them are actually upset that Hannah and I broke up.

They’re only upset because I’m hurting.

“Did you all seriously dislike her that much,” I ask quietly, “or are you just trying to make me feel better?”

The four of them exchange looks.

Lex and Zane immediately start elbowing each other, clearly trying to force the other one to answer first.

Eventually, Dion sighs and speaks up.

“It’s not that we disliked her, Ares. It’s just… she was never right for you.”

I tense immediately.

“Hannah’s a diva,” Dion continues carefully. “And some men love that kind of woman. But you? You aren’t one of them. We all watched you bend over backward for her for years while getting almost nothing in return.”

He leans back against the sofa.

“She wouldn’t even publicly acknowledge your relationship. Honestly? I always thought you deserved better than that.”

His expression softens slightly.

“So no, I’m not upset she ended things. Someone needed to. Because you never would have.”

He points at me.

“You’re loyal to a fault. You would’ve stayed with her forever just because Grandma expected it.”

Lex studies me carefully.

“Ares,” he says quietly, “be honest with us for once. Were you actually happy with Hannah these last few years… or were you just comfortable?”

I grit my teeth immediately and look away.

“What the fuck are you, Socrates now?” I snap.

Luca points at me triumphantly.

“He’s avoiding the question,” he announces. “You know what that means.”

The others nod knowingly.

“Ares knows he wasn’t happy,” Luca continues smugly, “but he’s loyal to the bitter end. Won’t admit it even now.”

I rise to my feet abruptly.

I’ve had enough of this shit.

The last thing I need right now is a family therapy session.

But before I can walk away, a soft familiar voice stops me cold.

“Ares.”

I turn immediately and find Grandma standing in the doorway with Sierra beside her.

Great.

Why not turn this into a full family intervention while we’re at it?

Sierra gives me an apologetic smile, like she knows this is the absolute worst possible timing.

And suddenly I realize something.

Sierra never openly disliked Hannah.

But she never truly warmed up to her either.

Not even after all these years.

And somehow I never noticed.

“I’m sorry Hannah ended things,” Grandma says calmly, “but that wedding is happening with or without her.”

I stare at her blankly.

“What?”

My stomach tightens.

“What do you mean, Grams?”

Grandma smiles pleasantly.

“Hannah was never the woman I originally chose for you. This situation merely proves that I was right all along. I made an exception for you once, and clearly that was a mistake.”

Dread crashes over me instantly.

No.

Absolutely fucking not.

Surely she isn’t saying what I think she’s saying.

“If Hannah refuses to marry you,” Grandma continues calmly, “then Raven will take her place.”

Silence slams into the room.

“If Raven also refuses,” she adds, “then the merger with the Du Ponts is canceled entirely, and your inheritance will still be cut in half regardless of whether I find another bride for you.”

“Grandma!”

I stare at her in disbelief.

“I can’t marry Raven. This is insane.”

I immediately look toward my brothers for backup.

None of them say a word.

Not one.

Their expressions remain carefully neutral, almost like they secretly agree with her.

What the fuck?

“I can’t marry Raven,” I repeat more quietly. “She’s my friend. I’ve always seen her the same way I see Sierra. You know that.”

I turn desperately toward my sister.

But Sierra just stands there smiling serenely.

The same girl who used to go feral anytime I teased Raven about her braces now looks completely unbothered.

She seriously isn’t going to defend Raven at all?

“Raven would never agree to this anyway,” I argue quickly. “I dated her sister for years. Why would she ever agree to marry me?”

The very idea of trapping Raven in a marriage she doesn’t want makes me feel sick.

She’d only do it out of obligation.

And eventually she’d resent me for it.

“Please don’t do this to her,” I say desperately. “Raven isn’t meant to be tied down like this. It can’t be her, Grandma. Just give me some time and I’ll talk to Hannah. She’ll come around.”

Grandma smiles knowingly.

“She won’t.”

Then she tilts her head slightly.

“I highly recommend speaking to Raven before I do, Ares. I gave you too much freedom, and that was my mistake. There’s a reason marriages in this family are arranged by me. It’s a centuries-old tradition that has never failed us.”

Her gaze sharpens.

“We deviated from tradition for you, and now I’m correcting that mistake.”

She pauses deliberately.

“I am not canceling this wedding. It will happen. And you will marry the woman I chose for you.”

I turn toward Sierra furiously.

“You’re really just going to stand there and let this happen to Raven?”

Sierra smiles softly and takes Grandma’s hand.

“I trust Grams,” she says simply. “She knows what’s best for you better than you do.”

Then she looks directly at me.

“And honestly? I can’t think of a better husband for my best friend than you.”

Her smile turns gentler.

“You’d never hurt Raven. And given enough time… you’d make her happy, wouldn’t you?”

I grit my teeth so hard my jaw aches.

Is she fucking insane?

I watch them disappear down the hallway together before grabbing my whiskey glass and draining it in one swallow.

“Fuck!” I roar, slamming the glass onto the table hard enough to rattle it.

Then I glare at my brothers.

“Thanks for defending me, assholes.”

Dion smirks lazily.

“Maybe Sierra’s right,” he says. “Maybe Grandma actually does know what’s best for you.”

I stare at him in disbelief.

Then I laugh bitterly.

“Fuck you,” I mutter.

I look around at all four of them.

“Actually… fuck all of you.”