Elise rose from her seat and departed. Samantha shot her a look filled with gratitude.

But as Elise turned to leave, she seemed to catch a glimpse of the tears shimmering in Samantha's eyes under the dim glow of the back garden lights.

"It's been years. You've become a woman now," the man chuckled softly, his voice still carrying that familiar tenderness.

Samantha bit her lower lip; it took her a moment before she could speak. "Ryan."

"I thought perhaps you'd forgotten me," Ryan Saunders grinned. "It's chilly out here. We should head inside."

Samantha bent to retrieve her discarded shoes, but his hand gently stopped her. "Allow me."

He knelt before her, his tall frame crouching low. His long, elegant fingers carefully picked up her shoes. He held her foot steady as she slipped them on.

In the quiet space between them, a cool, slightly mocking voice cut through the air. "That seems like rather inappropriate contact with your brother's wife, don't you think?"

They both turned. Andrew stood nearby, using his height to look down at them.

"I've always considered Samantha a younger sister. That hasn't changed," Ryan stated firmly.

"But she is my wife. Your sister-in-law," Andrew retorted sharply, a stark contrast to his usual careless demeanor. "That should be my duty."

As he spoke, he closed the distance between them.

Ryan's fingers twitched almost imperceptibly, but he placed the shoes gently on the ground, stood up, and stepped back.

"By the way," Andrew added with clear disdain, "your girlfriend has been searching for you in the main hall. It's her first time visiting our home, and she doesn't know anyone. You really shouldn't leave her alone."

Ryan said nothing, his expression unreadable as he turned and strode away briskly.

Andrew shifted his gaze back to Samantha, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips as he noted her evident surprise. "What? Is it so hard to believe my brother has found a girlfriend?"

Samantha quickly composed herself, masking her emotions behind a neutral facade. She was, after all, merely a pawn in Andrew's life.

He let out a cold, humorless chuckle and began to turn away, but paused, spinning back to face her. "Well? Aren't you coming? Did you actually think I would help you with your shoes?"

Samantha had certainly never expected that.

Not only did they share no affection, but Andrew had held a deep-seated resentment towards her since their childhood.

She was acutely aware of this. Yet, she had been compelled to marry him due to her family's dire circumstances.

Suppressing a sigh, she quickly finished putting on her shoes. As she stood, she winced, a sharp gasp escaping her lips.

She rarely wore high heels. The unfamiliar straps had already begun to rub the skin raw on her heels.

Andrew turned back towards her once more. He slid one hand elegantly into his trouser pocket, his brow furrowed in a cool, detached frown as he looked at Samantha.

No one could see the way his fingers clenched tightly inside his pocket.

Samantha, however, was not one to show weakness. She gritted her teeth, enduring the pain, and quickly fell into step beside Andrew as they returned to the bustling hall.

The party was in full swing inside.

Samantha typically avoided social events with Andrew unless they were mandatory family functions. They were rarely seen this close together.

They made their way towards the gathered Saunders family. Lindsay Saunders, Andrew's mother, beamed with joy at the return of her eldest son.

A woman stood beside Ryan, a sweet, charming smile gracing her features as she remained close to him.

Lindsay immediately beckoned them over enthusiastically. "Andrew! Samantha! Over here! Ryan came back specifically to celebrate your birthday, Andrew!"

Andrew led Samantha towards the group with an air of nonchalance. His tone, however, was laced with subtle ambiguity. "To think a man as important as my brother, serving the nation, would deign to spare time for my insignificant birthday... I must say, I'm genuinely taken aback."