The tension in the room was palpable as Arnold stepped inside, his presence as commanding as the wealth and power he wielded. Andrew crossed his arms, his eyes fixed on Arnold with a mixture of suspicion and challenge.
"Unfinished business?" Andrew asked, his tone cold. "I wasn't aware my wife had any."
Rachel opened her mouth to speak, but Arnold beat her to it. "This isn't about the past," he said smoothly. "It's about the future."
Andrew's brow furrowed. "And what, exactly, do you mean by that?"
Arnold turned to Rachel, his gaze softening. "I think Rachel knows."
Her stomach churned. She had known this moment was coming ever since Arnold returned to town, but she hadn't expected it to happen so soon—or so boldly.
"This is inappropriate," she said, her voice trembling. "You can't just come here and—"
"Rachel," Arnold interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. "You and I both know there's more to this than what we're saying. I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here because I love you."
Andrew's face darkened. "You need to leave."
Arnold turned to him, his expression calm but unyielding. "I'm not leaving without talking to Rachel. Alone."
The two men locked eyes, the air crackling with unspoken animosity. Rachel stepped between them, her hands raised in a desperate attempt to defuse the situation.
"Stop it, both of you!" she cried. "This isn't the time or the place for this."
Arnold took a step back, his gaze never leaving hers. "You're right. But this isn't over, Rachel. Not by a long shot."