"Archie, are you seriously talking back to me right now?" Gavin's voice was sharp, brimming with authority and frustration as he glared at Archie.

"That's right. I won't go through with your arranged marriage," Archie replied, his tone unwavering. "Anything else, sure, but not this. There's nothing to discuss."

Gavin scoffed, "Let me guess, you heard some rumor that Ms. Yalton is ugly and now you're scared off?"

He turned to Archie's stepmother, who chimed in with a knowing smile, "Actually, I've met Ms. Yalton. She's not unattractive at all. Maybe she's not exactly a genius, but honestly, a girl who's too clever is harder to handle. A sweet, simple wife makes a good homemaker, if you ask me. I'm not trying to ruin your life, Archie. I only want what's best for you."

"You really don't get it," she added with a sigh, "I've always treated you like my own son."

Archie couldn't help but laugh as he looked at his stepmother. "Really? Isn't it more about making sure I don't get in Chester's way when it comes to the family fortune?"

"If you treat me like your own son," he continued, "why don't you try these tricks on Chester and see how that goes?"

Then Archie turned to Gavin, his voice steady. "I'm not getting married. I won't do it. What are you going to do, drag me down the aisle yourself?"

His eyes were clear and resolute. He might compromise on other things, but not this.

Gavin's expression darkened, his temper boiling over. Suddenly, he kicked out, sending the coffee table skittering into Archie's shins.

Archie stumbled, caught off guard, and hit the floor hard. He shot Gavin a look, silent, but full of meaning.

"So, you're going to be disobedient, huh?" Gavin snarled. "I'm your father. If I say you're getting married, you're getting married. I don't need your approval!"

"You think I can't force you into it? I'll tie you up and march you down the aisle if I have to! Ms. Yalton is a perfectly good girl. Women are all the same!"

Archie let out a short laugh. "All the same, huh? What if I like men?"

He pushed himself up off the floor, brushing off his jeans. "If you're so set on marrying me off, find me a groom instead!"

"What did you just say?" Gavin looked stunned, not quite processing what Archie was getting at.

Chester, who'd been texting on his phone, practically dropped it. "Whoa, no way! Bro, are you saying you're gay?"

Willow stared at Archie, her eyes wide with shocked delight.

"Archie, don't say stuff like that just because you want to piss off your dad," she said, feigning concern.

If Archie really was gay, with Gavin's old-fashioned ways, he'd probably go ballistic. He might even throw Archie out of the house. And if Archie left the Yoder family, well, everything would go to her precious son, Chester.

Archie grinned. "Yeah, I like men. If Ms. Yalton was a man, sure, I'd marry her. But she's not, so that's a no from me."

He grinned wider. "And honestly, do you really think the Yaltons want their daughter marrying a guy who likes men?"

Gavin's face turned red with rage. He grabbed a mug and hurled it at Archie, barely missing his head.

"Useless! Freak! Disgusting! You like men? God, you're sick. Why don't you go fall in love with a dog while you're at it?"