The Wrong Fiancée: A Billionaire Second Chance Romance (Marriage by Contract Book 3)
The Wrong Fiancée: Chapter 3

I liked Felicity’s family. We Archers were big on family, and even though we argued and fought, we were close. I had the same feeling about the Thatchers from the limited amount of time I had spent with them.

Samuel or Sam, Felicity’s father, was a lot like my father—he was smart, kind, and fair. Ginny, her mother, was a housewife and nothing like Mom. But then, Marcella Archer was a force to be reckoned with. She was the type who, when others went low, she crushed them under her Louboutin heels so they’d never have the chance to fuck with her or her family again. She was also super protective—and as our family expanded with both Damian and Duncan married and with a child each, Mom was the best grandma any of those kids could ever ask for. I loved my parents—my family—and I’d always hoped to meet someone who valued that same kind of dynamics.

My family had met Felicity and liked her—and my parents knew Sam and Ginny. Mom liked Sam but couldn’t stand Ginny who she thought was vapid. But then, my mother didn’t tolerate weakness or meanness. My father made nice with everyone—and refused to have an opinion about people unless he got to know them well.

The Archer dinner table was always raucous with discussions and laughter. However, as we sat at an exclusive corner of the Ke Kai Grill, the resort’s high-end restaurant—it appeared the Thatchers were a lot more formal than us.

The restaurant was stunning. We were seated in an area outdoors that was shielded by swaying palms and lit by warm tiki torches overlooking the Pacific. The gentle murmur of the ocean blended with the faint hum of conversation from other tables, but our spot was isolated and private, a luxury afforded only to guests like Felicity’s family. The stars were just starting to emerge in the dusky Hawaiian sky.

My in-laws had invited their close friends, Michael and Rebecca Kingston, who had flown in from Oahu for a few days and were staying in one of the resort’s bungalows. Michael was a lawyer, and Rebecca, like Ginny, was a homemaker—which always baffled me. With all that wealth and endless resources, what exactly was there to ‘make’ at home? My sister-in-law Emilia loved to remind me that empowering women meant respecting their choices, including being stay-at-home moms. I understood that, in theory. But these women had nannies, chefs, and staff—let’s be honest, they weren’t exactly ‘home making,’ especially not Rebecca and Ginny.

Unlike our eclectic dinners, this felt curated—a perfect setting for people who never seemed out of place. It made me uneasy; this wasn’t what I expected. It felt like a departure from what I loved about being with family—the freedom to be myself, free from the façade of polite, superficial small talk.

My oldest brother, Duncan, knew the Thatchers and liked Sam, who was down-to-earth and honest, but he never liked Felicity.

‘Have you met her mother?’ he asked me when I told him I was serious about Felicity.

‘Sure, but I still want to marry Felicity,’ I joked.

‘The vibe with this woman is wrong, brother. She’s more like Ginny than Sam.’

‘Come on, she’s nothing like Ginny. First and foremost, she has a career and is not ever going to sit at home doing nothing,’ I defended my then-girlfriend.

‘It’s not about careers; it’s about personality. I just have a feeling. But then again, I’m emotionally blind, so….’

Our brother Duncan had the least empathy, though he had become more human since he married Elsa.

My family wouldn’t interfere with my choices, I knew that—but they’d also tell me the way it was and not sugarcoat shit.

I’d asked Felicity how she felt about Ginny being a ‘society wife.’ Her mother’s life in New York, where they lived, revolved around social activities that Felicity often joined.

‘I keep her company,’ Felicity explained. ‘I love my mother. She’s not into art like Daddy and me, though. Sean’s studying public policy—we’re all different, but we’re still close-knit.’

Sean was Felicity’s younger brother. He was finishing his bachelor’s in public policy at NYU. I liked him a lot. He was passionate about caring for people and wanted to be a public servant to make the world a better place. Ginny argued that her son should study law instead of pursuing a master’s in public policy, as he wanted to do—so he’d have more lucrative options rather than a poorly paying government job. Sean had told me that he wasn’t looking for lucrative. He was looking for something meaningful. I respected the kid.

I was lost in thought, scanning the menu without actually paying attention to it.

‘Are you okay?’ Felicity murmured.

She was so caring and affectionate that my heart felt full. I was in love with her, and I was certain we’d have a great marriage.

‘Yes, darling.’ I kissed her mouth softly, and she flushed.

Someone filled my water glass, and I turned to thank the server and stuttered. It was Elika in the resort’s signature uniform: a crisp, fitted black dress with a white apron. Understated, as expected from a place like this, her dark hair was neatly pinned back, and her beautiful face was composed and professional.

There wasn’t a flicker of surprise when she saw me, even though my pulse quickened at the sight of her. She moved fluidly, topping off glasses with the precision and grace you’d expect from someone used to serving this particular clientele.

‘Elika, can you ask the sommelier to come by?’ Sam said with an obvious familiarity.

Did they know her? Well, of course, they did. They were regulars at this resort.

‘Mr. Thatcher, I’m afraid he isn’t in today. May I help you?’ Elika was polite.

‘Stop with the Mr. Thatcher. I know the resort has rules, but come on, Elika, you’re my niece,’ my future father-in-law said indulgently.

My eyes went wide. I looked at Felicity, who shrugged and whispered, ‘Her father was Daddy’s half-brother.’

What were the chances that I was engaged to a relative of the woman whom I’d had the best sex of my life with?

Elika smiled tightly. ‘Of course, Uncle Sam. Maybe I can help you with the wine?’

‘Get the Somm, Elika,’ Ginny muttered, not even looking at her niece.

‘I can’t, Mrs. Thatcher, he’s not in today,’ Elika continued politely.

It didn’t go unnoticed by me that Ginny didn’t ask Elika to call her Auntie or by her name. I felt an undercurrent of something unpleasant as I witnessed the family dynamics.

‘I’m thinking of having the lamb; what do you recommend?’ Sam ignored his wife.

I didn’t like how the Thatchers were treating Elika. She was a hotel maid and cleaned rooms, and was probably pitching in today as a server. How would she know what wine⁠—?

‘I think the 2016 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It’s rich with complex flavors of dark berries, spices, herbs, and earthy notes, with enough structure and depth to complement the richness of lamb. The 2016 vintage is widely regarded as one of the best vintages in recent years for the region. Weather conditions were nearly perfect, leading to wines with great balance, concentration, and aging potential.‘

I stared at her, dumbfounded. Elika—knowing Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Picking it out with that level of detail? I remembered her as being fierce and passionate, but I’d never imagined her with this kind of refinement. When we were together, I hadn’t thought much beyond the fact that she was beautiful and fun—a fiery fling. A hotel maid, back then. Or at least that’s how I’d justified walking away from her.

I was fully aware of how much of a snob I sounded like, and I felt ashamed of myself. I had passed judgment on Elika without knowing her.

Uncle Sam looked chagrined. ‘Let’s get a bottle of that.’

Rebecca smiled maliciously, apparently aware of the creepy dynamics that I could feel. ‘I’m having the halibut, as is Ginny.’

‘Me too. But I was thinking about the Sauvignon Blanc,’ Felicity chimed in pleasantly.

‘Of course,’ Elika kept her tone professional. ‘If I may, I don’t think the Sauvignon Blanc would do your meal justice. It’s too acidic for how delicately the halibut is prepared. Maybe a 2018 Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fumé or a 2019 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre—the minerality will balance better with the butter sauce.’

Michael chuckled, clearly impressed. ‘You’re wasted here, Elika. You should be at one of those big restaurants in New York, running their wine program.’

Ginny scoffed, as did Rebecca, who gave her husband a pointed look.

Elika smiled politely, her eyes emotionless, bland. ‘Thank you. The training program here for servers is at a high level, and most of us know the wine list well.’

‘Well, I still want the Sauvignon Blanc that Felicity mentioned,’ Rebecca said petulantly.

Christ! This was definitely not how it would be if my parents were around. Dad would sit Elika down and talk her ear off about wine and leave a huge tip.

‘Yes, Mrs. Kingston.’

‘I’d like to get the bottle of the Pouilly-Fumé you recommended,’ I spoke for the first time.

‘Yes, Mr. Archer.’

I wanted to tell her to call me Dean, but that would mean everyone would wonder how we knew each other, and I really didn’t want to have that discussion with my future in-laws.

After she took our orders, Elika left, and the table seemed to release its collective breath.

‘You should tell Dante to place her at some other resort,’ Ginny said to her husband.

Dante Giordano, a good friend, owned this resort as he did the one where I’d met Elika in Honolulu.

‘Why?’ I asked, keeping the anger out of my voice. It seemed petty to have Elika removed from her job because Ginny had a problem with her.

‘It’s uncomfortable having her here,’ Felicity explained gently, her hand on my forearm.

I arched an eyebrow. ‘Again, I ask, why?’

Felicity let out a deep breath. ‘As I mentioned, Elika is my father’s half-brother’s daughter. When grandpa died, and he left everything to Daddy, Elika’s father was upset.’

‘He’d been like that all his life, jealous of Sam…of all of us,’ Ginny quipped.

‘He was devastated after my sister-in-law, Iolana, died,’ Sam interjected. ‘He started drinking and….’

‘Since then, it’s been complicated,’ Felicity added softly.

‘Was Elika upset about her father not getting his share of the inheritance?’ I looked around at everyone at the table.

‘It wasn’t his share,’ Ginny all but snarled. ‘It is all ours. Sam has been generous enough.’

Sam put a hand on his wife’s shoulder. ‘Come on, Ginny. Elika has never mentioned the will and has never asked us for anything.’

‘Oh, please, she came with her hands wide open after he made a mess of his daughter’s life,’ Ginny said cryptically.

‘No, she didn’t,’ Sam protested.

‘Can we not talk about this, please?’ Felicity pleaded. ‘I want to have a nice dinner and not talk about Uncle Grant and Aunt Iolana. Please.’

‘Of course, darling,’ Sam said with a relieved smile.

‘Can you at least tell the restaurant manager to send us another server?’ Ginny pestered.

I was shocked at her blatant cruelty. Elika had been nothing but professional, and yet there seemed to be such animosity toward her. Maybe there were things about Elika I didn’t know.

‘I agree,’ Rebecca chimed in support. ‘I find her so…I don’t know, sanctimonious, like she’s better than everyone.’

What the fuck?

‘It’s just not right, you know,’ Ginny continued, ‘That she’s fine when Noe is….’

There were too many names being thrown out, and I could figure most of them out, but who the fuck was Noe?

‘Mom,’ Felicity admonished.

Sam rose. ‘Maybe it’s for the best. I’ll talk to the manager.’

I followed Sam, not liking this at all. I caught up with him before he made it to the front desk. ‘What’s going on here, Sam?’

He sighed. ‘Elika is a good girl. She’s hardworking and…but Ginny and Felicity…anyway. It’s best if she doesn’t serve our table, you know? They’ll just make her life miserable.’

‘I don’t get it,’ I told Sam.

He took a deep breath, and we watched Elika walk past us with two bottles of wine in hand.

‘Elika, can we get someone else to serve our table?’ Sam spoke softly, but I saw Elika flinch.

‘I don’t think so, Uncle Sam. It’s a busy night, and we just don’t have enough servers. I was pulled in because three of the staff are out sick,’ Elika said apologetically.

Ginny didn’t want Elika serving us—but I doubted Elika was thrilled about it either. Not that she let it show. She stayed polite, attentive, even gracious. If I were in her place, I would’ve snapped after being treated the way this family treated one of their own. My respect for her grew while my opinion of the Thatchers sank even lower.

Sam nodded. ‘How’s Noe doing?’

Elika’s face shut down. ‘Good.’

‘The new treatment? Is it working?’ Sam asked.

Who the fuck was Noe, and why did she need treatment?

‘Yes.’ Elika didn’t look uncomfortable; in fact, she didn’t show any emotion, but I could feel she didn’t like this conversation.

Sam’s expression softened with remorse. ‘You know I’d help if⁠—’

‘It’s fine, Uncle Sam,’ Elika cut him off. ‘I’ve got this.’

‘Yeah, you do. I’m…so proud of you,’ Sam continued, and I saw his eyes moisten with emotion. ‘Your mother would be…proud of you as well.’

This time, Elika’s smile was genuine. It was the smile I’d noticed when I first saw her, the one that had captivated me and told me that I wanted…no, needed—to get to know this woman.

‘I better get these bottles to your table,’ Elika excused herself, and Sam looked devastated.

‘I feel like I’m watching a movie from the midway point and have no clue what happened before,’ I confessed.

Sam chuckled, a bit chagrined. ‘Let’s get back to our table and make sure Ginny and Rebecca don’t harass the poor girl to the point of tears.’

‘Why do they dislike her so much?’ I asked as we walked back to our party.

‘Grant and Noe—Elika’s older sister—had been vocal about the whole inheritance situation and even sued us. I wanted to give Grant part of the money. There’s plenty to go around, but Ginny and Felicity were adamant. It’s just the residual of all that. I don’t know why they blame Elika. She had nothing to do with it, and now she’s stuck carrying the weight of Grant’s mistakes.’

I wanted to ask him to explain because I knew I didn’t have the whole story. Also, the fact that Felicity was teamed up with Ginny on the ‘hate Elika’ train made me uneasy.

Now, if we had a problem with someone, our family would be against that person. No question about it. But usually, we’d all know why—it would be because someone tried to hurt one of us. Elika, or at least what I knew of her, was not the type of person who’d ever hurt anyone. But then again, I didn’t know her very well, did I?

Yeah, but you want to, a voice inside my head reminded me.

That night, when I asked Felicity about Elika, her tone had been sharp. ‘Elika’s our little family secret. Or maybe, more like our shame.’

‘What?’ I asked, genuinely caught off guard.

My fiancée shook her head. ‘She dropped out of university after a year. Always had some excuse—money, family problems—who knows. She’s always asking Daddy for money to the point that my mother and I had to put our foot down.’

I was sitting on the bed, my back against the headboard, while Felicity applied the countless lotions she used to keep her skin toned and smooth.

She usually looked fucking sexy as she stroked her skin, and I’d tumble her into bed, but for some reason, the way she talked about Elika made my dick shrivel.

‘Her father was an alcoholic…and he crashed his car with Noe in it. He died instantly. Noe is paralyzed and in a home.’

Poor Elika.

‘Noe is older than Elika?’

‘Yes.’ Felicity set the lotion on her bedside table. ‘Elika keeps asking for money using Noe as an excuse and finally, even Dad told her he wouldn’t help.’

No, that’s not what Sam said, I thought. He apologized to Elika for not being able to assist her.

‘How badly off is her sister?’ I felt sympathy for Elika surge through me.

Felicity moved closer to me. ‘I don’t want to talk about her,’ she whined. ‘Why are you so curious?’

‘You were all very rude to her,’ I told her honestly.

She snapped her head up. ‘What? No, Dean. You don’t know the whole story. We’ve had a lifetime of Hamlet drama from Grant to Noe to Elika. She could’ve made something of herself, but instead, she was too lazy to finish school. And I can’t stand how demanding she gets, like she has any right to our family’s money. Dad’s helped her out plenty over the years, but eventually, the gravy train had to stop.’

‘Still…she seemed so⁠—’

‘Innocent?’ Felicity bit out, and I saw bitterness in her eyes, something I had never seen before. ‘She isn’t. Okay? Sleeps around. Do you know she was fired from a housekeeping job at a hotel in Honolulu because she was sleeping with a guest?’

I swallowed hard. As far as I knew, I was the first guest Elika had ever slept with. I’d made it clear to Dante not to give her any trouble—it was me who had pursued her, not the other way around. He’d seemed okay with it at the time. And if she was still working for him, he probably still was…right?

‘But then the accident happened, and Dante kept her on. He’s such an easy mark.’

I raised an eyebrow. ‘Dante? Easy? Not a chance. Trust me, I have it on good authority—he’s as tough as they get.’

She laughed. ‘Not when it comes to women. I think Elika was sleeping with him; why else would she have a job here? Her sister is in a clinic nearby…some experimental treatment or something. I think Dante feels sorry for her.’

I knew for certain that Dante would not sleep with Elika—knowing that she and I had been together, not unless he was interested in her, which he wasn’t, and she was an employee to boot. Dante was a lot of things, an idiot he wasn’t. Maybe I’d call him, I decided, and get the skinny on this whole Elika situation.

He’d know if she made it a habit to sleep with guests and had lied to me so I wouldn’t judge her. The idea that Elika slept around made me queasy—I’d thought what we had was special, that she was taking a risk to be with me because she wanted me so much. If she did it all the time….

‘Maybe we need to find a new resort for our family vacation,’ Felicity lay back against me. ‘But I love this place, and we’re the paying guests; she’s just the help. I’ll ask the hotel General Manager to keep her away from us. It’s just not worth the consternation, you know?’

For the first time since I met Felicity, I disliked her behavior. I loathed her lack of generosity when it came to Elika, her lack of compassion for a young woman who’d lost her father and had a paralyzed sister.

When Felicity turned her face to kiss me, I ended it with a brush against her lips. When she tried to entice me to get naked with her, I couldn’t even get hard. I made an excuse that I was jetlagged and tired since I’d arrived just the night before from Hong Kong. She’d bought it and gone to sleep. I lay awake for a good part of the night, wondering who the Thatchers really were. Sam was a good man—no doubt about it—but the rest? I wasn’t so sure. And that included the woman I was planning on marrying.