The private plane touched down at Hong Kong International Airport, and as the door opened, a wave of humid air enveloped us. Descending the stairs, we were met by two black cars waiting on the tarmac. The drivers stepped forward with practiced smiles, opening the doors in unison.

Keith and Taylor had no idea William and I were arriving together. I could already picture their faces when we walked into the hotel side by side.

I moved toward the car one of the drivers gestured to, ready to slip in casually and keep things understated. But before I could take a step, William's hand closed firmly around mine.

"We'll take this one," he said, his voice calm but authoritative as he nodded toward the second car.

The driver hesitated, his confusion fleeting as William's grip subtly urged me forward. With a confident ease, William led me toward the car. He reached the door before the driver, opening it himself and waiting as I slid into the cool leather seat.

The door shut softly behind me, and William rounded the car, slipping in beside me. His arm draped casually along the back of the seat, close enough that I could feel the quiet heat of his presence.

The car slowed as we approached the grand entrance of the Four Seasons. The driver exited quickly, opening the door. William stepped out first, turning to offer me his hand.

I took his hand, the light brush of his thumb against my skin sending a jolt through me as I stepped out of the car. The hotel towered above us, its glass facade shimmering in the light. Staff moved with practiced precision, one already retrieving our bags as we made our way toward the entrance.

The lobby was alive—guests checking in, staff moving around, and the soft clink of glasses drifting from the nearby lounge. I recognized a few familiar faces in the crowd, but thankfully, none of them noticed us.

William's hand rested lightly on my lower back as he guided me to the check-in desk. The gesture was subtle, easily mistaken for courtesy, but the firm press of his fingers carried an unmistakable possessiveness. It sent an unexpected thrill through me, one I couldn't entirely suppress.

"Checking in for Montgomery and Armstrong," he said.

The concierge, a young woman with a professional smile, quickly began processing the details. I stood beside him, my thoughts spinning. Being seen with him like this—publicly, openly—felt foreign. Too natural, too easy. And yet, the thrill of it was hard to ignore.

Once checked in, we headed to our rooms. My suite was huge, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of Hong Kong's skyline. I lingered for a moment, taking in the city, but my thoughts kept circling back to William. The way his hand lingered at my back, the quiet but possessive claim in his touch—it stirred emotions I wasn't ready to confront.

I changed into something nice but understated, striking the perfect balance between looking good and not drawing too much attention. After all, this weekend was about Keith and Taylor, and the last thing I wanted was to overshadow their big moment.

Taylor's text came through, asking me to meet at the ballroom for the rehearsal. Smoothing my dress, I took a steadying breath and left the room.

In the hallway, I nearly stopped in my tracks. William was leaning casually against the wall, as if he'd been waiting for me, his posture relaxed but his eyes softened as they met mine.

He flashed me a breathtaking smile. "Ready?"

"That gave me goosebumps."

He chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "What did?"

"Your smile."

I barely finished the sentence before he pulled out a folded piece of paper, and I groaned. "I knew there was something behind that smile."

"It's harmless," he said, patting the paper with mock innocence before holding it out. "An agreement."

I raised an eyebrow. "An agreement on what?"

"Read it."

"No, you say it."

"Read."

"If I don't read it, I can pretend it doesn't exist," I countered, crossing my arms.

He grinned, pulling the paper back. "Smart. But it's an agreement to be civil for the duration of the wedding. No work talk, no rivalry, nothing that could ruin Keith and Taylor's big day."

"You think we're that bad?"

He tilted his head, considering. "Let's just say we've been known to spark a little chaos when left unchecked. And Keith and Taylor deserve better. No fighting, no sabotage, and definitely no work talk."

I stared at him, surprised. "That's... actually the most sensible thing you've ever suggested. Who are you, and what have you done with William?"

He rolled his eyes, handing me the pen. "I care about important moments, Armstrong."

"Fine, I can do civil," I said, snatching the paper and signing it quickly.

Our fingers brushed briefly as I handed it back, and his gaze flicked to my signature before he tucked the paper away with a satisfied nod.

"See? That wasn't so hard," he teased, his smirk back in full force.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Don't get too comfortable. Civil doesn't mean I'm going to be nice to you."

William's lips curved into a smirk, the kind that always managed to irritate me. "It's nice to see you considering other people for once. That's some growth right there, Isabella."

I glared at him, grinding my teeth as I stormed toward the elevator, with him trailing close behind. My finger jabbed the button for the lobby with far more force than necessary.

As the elevator doors slid open, I stepped inside and made a beeline for the far corner, hoping the distance might somehow keep him at bay. Of course, William followed, his presence making the confined space feel even smaller.

Just as the doors closed, my phone buzzed, and Jones' name flashed on the screen. I answered, bracing myself for the inevitable lecture.

"Hey, Jones. Have you finally woken up?" I asked, glancing at William, who was mouthing no work at me like an overzealous mime. I rolled my eyes in response.

"Isabella, I got your text," Jones' voice boomed through the phone, loud enough that William undoubtedly heard every word. "You left without me. How are you planning to handle everything without me there?"

William chuckled softly, and I shot him a glare, annoyed at how much he enjoyed Jones' overprotectiveness.

"I'm a fully functioning adult, Jones. I can handle things just fine without you. Besides, I'm not here for work."

"You're there with the devil's advocate. You might need backup," Jones quipped, his tone dripping with concern.

William's eyebrows shot up in mock offense, and I quickly turned my back on him, silently willing him to stay out of it.

"We're attending a wedding," I said, keeping my voice light. "The most dangerous thing here will be the dance floor."

"Okay. But if you need anything, I'll be checking in every hour and updating you. And don't worry, I'll even find the nearest café for your donuts and lemon juice, just in case."

William let out a loud snort. "Is he your assistant or your boyfriend?"

I whipped around, frantically waving at him to stay quiet, but the damage was done.

Jones, oblivious, continued. "Was that William? Is Delilah there?" he asked, referencing William's assistant and his self-proclaimed arch-nemesis. "Please tell me she isn't. I can't handle her smug face."

"No, she's not. Listen, if anything life-threatening comes up, call me. I have to go." I ended the call before he could say anything else and slipped my phone back into my bag.

The elevator doors dinged open, and I bolted out, eager to escape William's amusement.

"Are you sure your assistant isn't in love with you?" His voice followed me as he strolled behind.

"Eat a bag of dicks," I shot back, only to be met with the horrified stares of an elderly couple waiting nearby. I winced, quickly offering an apology. "Sorry."

William, completely unfazed, grinned. "I'm starting to think you need that civil agreement more than I do. Your people skills could use some serious work."

I glared at him. "My people skills would be fine if you didn't constantly test them."

He laughed, clearly enjoying my irritation. "I'm just saying, tone it down. Not everyone can handle your...charm."

Rolling my eyes, I brushed past him and made my way into the ballroom. "My charm isn't the problem. You are. I'm here for the wedding, not to entertain you. So, if you could just, for once, not be a pain in my ass, that'd be great."

As we entered the ballroom, the sight of Taylor overseeing the final touches on the décor greeted us. Keith stood chatting with a few groomsmen, but when he spotted us walking in together, his eyes widened in surprise.

You two made it!" Taylor exclaimed, rushing over to hug me. "Together and in one piece." She glanced at William. "Did you make her sign?"

He nodded, barely suppressing a smirk.

"You asked him to do that?" I demanded, incredulous.

"No, he told us," Taylor said, laughing. "He figured it would ease our nerves about you two ruining our wedding."

I snorted. "You make it sound like we're a disaster waiting to happen."

She gave me a knowing smile. "When you two have a bet going, things do tend to escalate."

Keith joined us, curious. "What's going on?"

"She thinks I'm incapable of being civilized," I said, rolling my eyes.

Keith chuckled. "Do you want the truth or a comforting lie?"

I glared at him. "Seriously? I'm not that bad. William's worse!"

"And that's exactly why we thought it'd be fun to make you two partners," Taylor chimed in.

I blinked. "Wait, what do you mean by 'partners'?"

Keith grinned, clearly enjoying this. "You're walking down the aisle together. Standing side by side at the ceremony. And you're dance partners."

My jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding me."

Taylor smiled apologetically. "We figured it'd be good practice for you two. Plus, let's be honest—it'll look great in the photos."

William smirked. "Don't worry. Iz and I will be the epitome of civility this weekend."

I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. "Don't get too comfortable with that idea. I'm only doing this for our friends. Step out of line, and—"

"Oh, I'm counting on it," William interrupted, his tone teasing. "That's half the fun."

Taylor rolled her eyes but smiled affectionately. "Just remember, this is our wedding, not one of your battles. Everyone's here to have a good time, including you two."

Keith nodded. "Exactly. The contract was more for our peace of mind than yours."

I sighed, feeling cornered but knowing they were right. "Fine, I'll play nice. But only because I care about you both."

William raised an eyebrow. "See? She's already getting into the spirit."

I shot him a glare. "We'll see who cracks first."

He chuckled. "Challenge accepted."

Are Max and Rachel here?" I asked, scanning the room for our other friends.

Keith shook his head. "No, they're missing the rehearsal. Thank God I didn't make Max the best man."

Taylor sighed. "It sucks they couldn't make it, but we're glad you two are here."

I draped my arm over Taylor's shoulder. "You know I'd never miss any part of your wedding."

William nodded, smirking. "Exactly. You know what they say: the earth may shake, but Isabella always shows up."

I glared at him. "At least they won't say I didn't."

Keith chuckled. "And that's why we love you, Izzy."

Taylor tugged my arm gently. "Come on, let's meet the girls. They're dying to see you."

Grateful for the distraction, I followed her. As we approached, I spotted Jessica, the new maid of honor, directing a bridesmaid. Sophia had stepped down due to family issues, and I'd refused to take up the role.

Jessica broke into a wide grin when she saw us. "There's the bride! And Isabella, you look amazing as always."

"Thanks, Jessica," I said with a smile. "It looks like you've been keeping everyone in line."

"Trying my best," she said with a laugh. "Rehearsals are chaotic, but I'm making it work."

Across the room, William stood deep in conversation with some of the groomsmen, likely going over their roles for tomorrow. We were discussing everything from the order of the procession to where the bridesmaids would stand during the ceremony.

When I glanced back for the second time, I noticed a shift in his demeanor. His previously relaxed posture stiffened, and his eyes narrowed slightly, focused on something—or someone—across the room.

I turned, my stomach sinking as I saw her. Judy. Her confident stride and striking appearance commanded attention, and I felt the air between us grow heavy.

My heart skipped a beat. Judy—William's ex. The one who had broken his heart and, if rumors were true, still knew exactly how to twist the knife. The fragile truce William and I had agreed on moments earlier now felt laughably thin.

Judy's gaze found William, a smile tugging at her lips as she walked toward us. A surge of protectiveness rose within me.

I hated this woman. Even back when they were dating, I'd known something was off. Judy had always rubbed me the wrong way, and the feeling was mutual. We'd never pretended to be friends, no matter how hard Taylor, Sophia, and Rachel tried to play peacemaker.

I masked my unease, turning to Taylor with a look that screamed, What the hell is she doing here?

Taylor's smile faltered. "Uh, I probably should've mentioned...Judy's coming to the wedding. She's a bridesmaid."

I barely kept my voice low. "Does William know? Why didn't you tell me?"

Taylor's face turned apologetic, clearly realizing the potential fallout of her decision. She hadn't thought this through, or maybe she had and was just now realizing the mistake.

"I thought it'd be fine. It's been years, Izzy."

Before I could respond, Judy stopped in front of us, her polished smile firmly in place. "Hi, Isabella. How are you?"

"Do you honestly care?"

"Not really, but I'm great," she said, her smile widening. "Busy at the news station, of course."

"Yeah, it's hard to miss your weather reports," I replied, my tone icy.

She giggled, clearly unbothered. "You watch me?"

"It's hard to avoid," I said dryly, but Taylor elbowed me gently, forcing me to soften. "But yes, you seem to know your stuff."

Judy's laughter was grating. "I do. I've even been to your hotels a few times, hoping to run into you, but no luck."

"One of the perks of owning the place is not having to interact with guests," I replied coolly.

"That's okay! We can catch up now," she said brightly before turning to Taylor. "I'm so happy to be part of this. I love love!"

As she spoke, Judy's gaze drifted behind her to William. Her smile lingered, and I saw William's expression shift. He tried to hide it, but the brief connection between them was enough to make my stomach twist.

The air suddenly felt too thick, and it was as if the walls were closing in around me. I struggled to keep my composure as Judy sauntered away toward the bridesmaids, her laughter floating behind her.

"Oh my god, this is going to be insane," Jessica murmured. "Judy and William, after all these years. Do you remember how—"

"Jessica," Taylor cut her off sharply, shaking her head.

Jessica's eyes widened as she realized her slip. "Right. Sorry."

I swallowed hard, but the lump in my throat wouldn't budge. My chest felt tight, like the room had run out of air. It would've been laughable if it didn't feel like I was about to choke on the bitterness rising within me.

The reminder of their history felt like a sucker punch. Watching the ease between them, even after all these years, was like being stuck in the worst kind of joke—one where I was the punchline.

I forced a steadying breath, but the bitterness clung to me like a second skin. The last thing I wanted was for anyone, especially William, to see how much this was getting to me.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Taylor gently touched my arm. "It's been years, Izzy. It's over and done."

Jessica laughed nervously. "Yeah, definitely."

"Right," I said, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

But even as I said it, my mind wouldn't stop spinning. The idea of William and Judy rekindling something—or worse, still harboring unresolved feelings—gnawed at me. It was maddening how a single glance between them could unravel me, make me question everything I thought I knew about him.

William must've sensed my unease because he sidled up beside me, his voice low. "You okay?"

"Fine," I replied quickly, my gaze fixed ahead. "Just a lot on my mind."

He didn't press, but I could feel his eyes on me, studying my expression like he was trying to read a language I didn't want to speak. The tension between us coiled tighter, humming in the space we shared.

Judy's laughter rang out from across the room, shattering the fragile silence. I glanced over to see her leaning in close to one of the bridesmaids, chatting animatedly. Then her gaze flicked back to William, lingering just a second too long.

Jealousy flared hot and sharp inside me, an ember stoked to life.

Taylor, catching the shift in my mood, touched my arm gently. "Come with me, Isabella. Let's check on the flower arrangements."

Grateful for the excuse, I nodded and followed her toward the far side of the ballroom where the florists worked on bouquets. The scent of roses and peonies filled the air, but it did little to soothe me. I feigned interest in the meticulous arrangements, but the unease wouldn't let go.

Something was slipping away—something I wasn't even sure I had to begin with.