Married To a Stranger

Chapter 22

Owen's answer dropped the room into pin-drop silence.

It was Isabel who broke it first.

She bowed her head.

Her voice laced with fake sympathy.

"Oh, so that's what happened."

She sighed softly.

"Ruby, why didn't you say anything earlier? If you had just told us the truth, we could have avoided all of this."

"Owen—"

Cutting off Isabel, he leaned back on the sofa calmly.

"I don't recall Ruby being the one who jumped to conclusions."

"That was you."

Matilda's eyes sharpened as the situation clicked into place.

Then she exploded.

"Oh, so you thought I was senile," she snapped. "You thought I couldn't see through your pathetic tricks."

"You make a mess, refuse to admit it, and then blame someone else. Shame on both of you."

Her glare landed on Carter.

"Call off the engagement. I will not accept that woman into this family."

Isabel's whole body trembled.

The marriage she had clawed and schemed for was slipping away.

She turned desperately to Carter, searching for reassurance, but he wasn't even looking at her.

His eyes were fixed on Ruby, still struggling to accept she was already married.

Panic shot through Isabel.

She hurried to Carter's side, head bowed.

Tears streaming dramatically down her cheeks.

"Carter, this is all my fault. Don't worry, even if the engagement is off, I'll still set up that introduction I promised you."

That pulled Carter back to reality.

Isabel was still willing to introduce him to Dr. N, and that was his golden chance.

He spun toward Matilda.

"Grandma, Isabel didn't mean any harm. Please forgive her. And our families have already made arrangements."

"Calling off the engagement now would be difficult."

Matilda held his gaze for a long, hard moment.

"You're a grown man. I can't tell you how to live your life. Do whatever you want."

She knew when to step back.

If Carter wanted to ruin himself, that was his parents' problem, not hers.

At that moment, Carter's mother, Melissa, spoke up with a bright smile.

"What about the engagement gift you promised them?"

Matilda lowered her gaze.

"I'll have someone wire $25,000 to Carter's account."

Melissa's smile fell.

"But you said you would give them 2% of the company shares. You said you were worried they might struggle financially after the wedding."

Matilda cut her off.

"I'm not pleased with the girl he has chosen," she said firmly. "So they get nothing."

Matilda's word was final.

She was, without question, the most powerful figure in the Knight family, controlling a full 20% of the Knight Group's shares.

Melissa had been counting on a massive payout from this marriage.

Everything had been lined up, and now it was slipping right through her fingers.

Isabel went ghost-white.

Shares gone.

Reputation shredded.

Public humiliation in front of the entire household staff.

If word ever got out, New York society would devour her alive.

Matilda didn't spare them another glance.

She grabbed Ruby's arm, tugged Owen along, and led them toward her private residence.

Once there, she announced she needed the restroom and insisted Owen keep Ruby company until she returned.

And just like that, they were alone.

The night outside was pitch black.

Standing together in the quiet room, Ruby realized Owen was a full head taller than her.

Easily six foot two.

Didn't Matilda say he was tiny and frail when he was born?

Sure doesn't look like it now.

As the thought flickered through her mind, Owen turned toward her.

His brows furrowed.

"Looks like the kitten's out of the box."

Ruby didn't flinch.

She stared back with matching seriousness.

"It sure is, little pup."

Owen's face drained of color.

Of course she would have gotten that nickname out of his grandmother.

And of course her intentions weren't pure.

Maybe Grandma taking a liking to her was a coincidence.

But Ruby turning it into an advantage?

That was no coincidence at all.

Ruby ignored his reaction.

She got straight to the point.

"I recall you saying you owed me one. Are you coming with me to the city clerk's office to verify my marital status or not?"

Owen's expression tightened.

"Fine. Let's go."

"But if this turns out to be nothing, you stop using my grandmother to get to me forever. Clear?"

Before Ruby could answer, Matilda burst back into the room.

"You brat. Are you giving my granddaughter-in-law a hard time?"

Owen's face stiffened.

"No."

Matilda turned to Ruby.

"Is that true?"

Ruby looked at him just long enough to see a flicker of panic c***k through his cold expression.

Then she smiled.

"It's the truth. He wasn't."

Owen exhaled so softly, she almost didn't hear it.

Matilda brightened.

"Good. Dinner's ready. Come in."

Dinner was a simple, home-cooked spread for three, but Matilda barely touched her food.

After a few bites, she sighed and turned to Ruby.

"Sweetheart, I'm exhausted. Let's go home."

Ruby tried to coax her gently.

"Don't push yourself, Grandma. Rest here tonight. You have everything you need."

This private wing was basically a mini hospital, fully equipped with advanced medical machines.

Matilda squeezed her hand.

"Then will you stay with me tonight?"

Ruby hesitated, glancing at Owen.

He hated her.

There was no way he'd want her near his grandmother anymore.

Owen saw the hesitation, then looked at Matilda's hopeful face.

After a long moment, he sighed and turned to Ruby.

"Stay," he said quietly.

It wasn't a request so much as an instruction, but his eyes held a hint of softness for his grandmother's sake.

The look he gave Ruby clearly meant don't get any ideas.

Ruby's mouth twitched.

Matilda, however, was beaming.

"Wonderful. Thank you for staying, darling."

She hugged Ruby.

After dinner, Ruby helped Matilda back to her room.

Exhaustion hit the old woman fast, and she drifted into a restless sleep with Ruby's hand clutched tightly in hers.

Every time Ruby tried to move, Matilda whimpered her name in her sleep.

Ruby could only sigh and settle into the chair beside the bed.

Outside, Owen's voice was low and tense as he spoke with the family physician.

"What's wrong with her?"

The physician hesitated.

"I can't explain why she's attached herself to this girl."

"But I can tell you why she's terrified of losing her."

Owen's eyes darkened.

"Why?"