Chapter 3

The next morning, I slept in on purpose.

By the time I came downstairs, Liam was already sitting at the dining table with his coffee. He looked absolutely dreadful, sporting heavy bags under his eyes and a stormy expression, surrounded by a palpable 'keep your distance' energy.

Clearly, the cold shower hadn't done much for his sleep.

I walked over, pulled out the chair right next to him, sat down, and propped my chin in my hand. "Rough night, honey? Can't sleep without me holding you right?"

Liam's coffee cup jerked in his hand. He nearly spilled it.

【Here she goes again! She's doing it again! This is absolutely on purpose — she wants to watch me embarrass myself!】

He set the cup down and gave me a flat, cold look. "Ruby. Drop the act. I'm not interested."

Just then, the front doorbell rang.

The housekeeper had barely opened the door before a voice floated in — soft, trembling, soaked in tears.

"Liam!"

A woman in a white dress came rushing inside, her expression fragile and pitiful. It was Liam's cousin, Lily Ward.

Lily had been attached to Liam since they were kids. She'd never bothered to hide how much she disliked me. Everyone in Boston knew Lily followed Liam around like a little tail.

She didn't even glance in my direction. She went straight to Liam, eyes red and glistening. "Liam, I heard you and Ruby got married ?How could you marry her ! You always said you couldn't stand women like her — pushy, mean, manipulative. You said she was exactly the type you hated most!"

The whole room went still.

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Liam with a slow, amused smile.

Oh? The type he hated most?

The color drained from Liam's face — and then it went completely, furiously dark.

【Bullsh*t! When did I ever say that?! My wife isn't vicious — she's fierce! She's a queen! Who the hell do you think you are, talking about my wife like that?!】

【Oh no, oh no — what if Ruby misunderstood? What if she gets so mad she files for divorce on the spot? Lily, you idiot, are you trying to get me killed!】

I took a slow, unhurried sip of my milk and watched quietly to see how he'd handle it.

Liam drew a deep breath, shot to his feet, and fixed Lily with an ice-cold stare. "Lily, first — call me Mr. Hartwell."

"Second, Ruby is my legal wife and the rightful lady of the Hartwell family. I can barely keep up with how much I love her. Dislike her? Where would that even come from?"

"Third — who gave you the nerve to walk into my home and speak to my wife like that? Get out."

The rapid-fire words hit Lily like a slap. She stood there, stunned.

Her eyes went wide with disbelief, tears streaming down her face. "Liam… you said you love her?"

She wasn't the only one caught off guard. I blinked too.

Liam seemed to realize he'd let something slip. A flicker of panic crossed his face.

【Oh sh*t. That just came out! Does that count as me fall first? No — no, it doesn't! I was just putting on a show for the outsider! Right, it was all an act! Ruby's smart enough to know I didn't mean it. She won't take it seriously.】

Watching him scramble internally, clearly losing his mind, I nearly burst out laughing.

I stood up, walked over to Liam, and slipped my arm through his. I leaned my head against his shoulder and gave Lily my best winner's smile.

"Miss Ward — did you catch that? My husband just said he loves me. So please, do us a favor and stop interrupting our time together from now on. The door's right over there. show yourself out."

Lily trembled with rage, jabbing a finger at us. "You two… you'll regret this!"

With that, she pressed a hand over her face and ran out sobbing.

Liam watched her go and let out a long, quiet breath.

【Thank God. I thought I was screwed — good thing Ruby played along. But that woman Lily is a trouble. I'm never letting her through that door again.】

He turned his head and noticed my arm was still linked through his. His body went stiff all over again.

【She's still holding on to me. This feels so good… I don't want her to let go…】

I wasn't about to give him what he wanted. I pulled my arm free, smoothed out the wrinkles in my sleeve, and said coolly, "Not bad acting, Mr. Hartwell. You almost had me fooled for a second."

Liam's expression dimmed. He let out a cold scoff. "Same to you. It was just a performance, Mrs. Hartwell. Don't buy it."

【She really didn't take it seriously. When am I ever going to get to hold her without hiding it…】