Faux Vows, True Desires

Nathan and Zachary strolled out of the Skywatch Hotel shoulder to shoulder, the crisp night air greeting them as they emerged from the opulent entrance. The Skywatch Hotel, a crown jewel among the Blue family's assets, stood as a testament to luxury in the heart of the city.

The atmosphere between the two men was congenial, their conversation easy and light, despite the weight of the matters they discussed. A respectful distance behind, their personal bodyguards followed, close enough to protect, yet far enough to afford privacy.

At the hotel's grand entrance, they paused, their exchange drawing to a close.

"I should be heading out," Zachary said amicably, before adding with a brief hesitation, "You know, about the whole situation with Madeleine, you two should really sit down and talk it through. The girl's been head over heels for you since forever, and everything she's done, it's out of love, Nathan. You know that."

Nathan fell silent for a moment before replying, "Zach, you and I go way back, and I'm not one for self-deception. If Madeleine had been played, I wouldn't hold it against her. But she made her choices and that man happens to be my own flesh and blood brother. Come on, Zach, you're a man of the world. How would you handle this? Would you just pretend nothing ever happened? I can't. I can't pretend it's all fine and dandy. This whole mess is tearing me up inside."

Nathan's voice carried the weight of sincerity, leaving Zachary momentarily at a loss for words.

"Hayden, he's willing to step up, take responsibility," Nathan added, his expression a mix of discomfort and anguish, as though the thought of Madeleine and his brother's indiscretion genuinely pained him. Zachary exhaled heavily. "I get it, this is rough on you. Let's just let Madeleine make her own choices, alright? And Nathan, we're still good friends. I'm counting on you not to let this mess with Madeleine get in the way when I need your help."

"That won't happen," Nathan assured him, a determined edge to his voice. "I've always been one to keep business and personal separate. Won't let personal affairs mess with our ventures."

studied Nathan for a moment, not detecting an ounce of deceit. He trusted that Nathan wouldn't let the situation with his daughter Madeleine interfere with their business dealings. After all, Zachary needed Nathan to be on board his venture. With Nathan's involvement, profits would be shared,

fall in. He recalled Nathan's promise-before the scandal with Hayden-that he would never stand idly by if the Porter

off then," Zachary said,

surrounded by a convoy of security cars,

after Zachary's departure. He stepped into his car

a lower tone, he commanded his trusted bodyguard in the passenger seat, "Call Keith. Have him meet me

haven, unknown to many, appearing almost derelict to outsiders. It had stood quietly for over two decades,

well into the night when Keith's car rolled

you inside," the butler informed Keith respectfully as he stepped out of

with his father's most loyal. The seclusion and anonymity the Annex offered meant they could

had built the Annex for his wife, though she never spent a single night there. Each visit stirred a complex mix of

butler with a nod and made his

where he found Nathan alone, lost in thoughts over a cup of strong tea. Snatching the cup from Nathan's hands, Keith remarked coldly, "What time do you think it is? Drinking tea this strong, planning on staying up

"Same leaves, same brewing, but it lacks something. It's nothing like the tea your mother used to make. Watching her was like witnessing poetry in motion. Just seeing her brew made the tea taste sweeter. Your mother was a woman of grace and