Married To a Stranger

Chapter 18

She snapped. Shopping in a*****e like this, for one. Warren scolded, and for another, trying to seduce Mr. Knight.

You're playing with fire, Ruby. Don't drag the Anderson family down with you. Ruby stared at him, her expression slipping into a cold mask.

Don't worry.

She said quietly, I stopped being an Anderson long ago.

She took Matilda's hand and walked out without looking back. Once the boutique was out of sight, Matilda squeezed Ruby's hand.

Granddaughter-in-law. Your father and sister are awful people. From now on, I'll have my grandson look out for you. No one will dare look down on you again.

Warmth spread through Ruby's chest. She chuckled and nodded, okay, grandma.

Just then, Matilda's phone rang. She answered it, and a man's voice said, Mom, you and Owen need to come home tonight.

Carter's fiancée, Isabel, and the whole Anderson family are visiting for the first time. It's time for everyone to meet.

Matilda froze. Hearing those names burned away the fog in her mind. In an instant, everything snapped back from a fuzzy feeling to full HD quality.

She was Mrs. Knight, the very woman they had been trying to impress, and Isabel Anderson, she had just landed herself squarely on Matilda's hit list.

The old lady would not rest until she settled that score.

Don't worry, son, I'm definitely coming home. She declared. She hung up and immediately recorded a voice message to Owen's w******p.

Puppy. I have been bullied. You have to come home tonight and stand up for me.

Puppy. Ruby blinked. Who on Earth is Puppy? As if reading her thoughts, Matilda laughed.

Puppy is my grandson. You know him, right? He's your husband.

Ruby stared at her, utterly baffled. Matilda beamed. He looked like a little puppy when he was born. So tiny, barely three and a half pounds.

The doctor said he might not survive, that he'd always be small. But I believed in my little pup. I knew he'd grow into a big, strong man.

Ruby's mouth twitched as she tried not to laugh. The way Matilda spoke, you'd think her grandson was a Fortune 500 CEO.

Did his employees have any idea they worked for someone nicknamed Puppy? Before Ruby could ask for his real name, Matilda piped up again.

Granddaughter-in-law. I really need new clothes. Why don't you come home with me tonight? I'll pick out a few nice outfits for you too.

Ruby had heard the voice message Matilda sent her grandson, and knew he'd be heading home as well. Since she was planning to meet him anyway, she didn't object.

Okay.

She said. After grabbing a bite at a nearby diner, Ruby had planned to drop Matilda home to rest before heading out to hunt down Owen again.

But Matilda insisted, I'm not tired at all. I'll just tag along with you, and we can go home together when you're done.

She clung to Ruby's hand like a stubborn child, afraid of being left behind. Ruby sighed, giving in.

All right, fine, but don't leave my side.

They took a cab to a city charity gala. Ruby settled Matilda in a quiet lounge, then flashed her press pass and slipped into the main hall.

Owen was scheduled to represent the Knight Group and make a donation on stage. She chose a seat dead center in the front row.

A spot he couldn't possibly miss. She'd already coordinated with the event organizers, who promised to call on her during the Q&A.

You've left me no choice, Knight, she thought. I tried playing nice. You ignored me. So now I'm going to ask you to check our marital status at the city clerk's office.

In front of everyone.

The thought alone brought a smug smirk to her lips. His expression would be priceless.

The event began, and soon the host announced the Knight Group. Ruby leaned forward, eyes fixed on the stage, only for Leo Yates to walk out instead of Owen.

Leo spotted her immediately and gave a pointed look.

My apologies, everyone. He announced. Mr. Knight had a last-minute change of plans, but the Knight Group donation will be delivered as promised.

The smile on Ruby's face froze. She snatched her phone from her bag and finally noticed a text from Miles.

Sent five minutes earlier. Boss, Owen Knight just blew up his entire schedule for the next few days. We don't know where he's going next.

He must have realized his details were leaked.

Ruby stomped her foot. That jerk, she hissed. After finishing her interview, she handed her equipment and notes to a colleague from the paper.

And told them to head back without her. Then she went to fetch Matilda from the lounge, and together they made their way to an automotive plant.

One of the Knight Group's subsidiaries. Owen could cancel every other appearance, but not an inspection tour locked into his old schedule.

The workers had been preparing for days. Pulling out now would be an insult. Sure enough, after only a few minutes of waiting in a coffee shop across the street.

An understated black Bentley slipped through the gates. He's here. Ruby murmured. Rising to her feet, she asked the barista to keep an eye on Matilda for a moment.

Then headed straight for the iron gates. She pulled out her temporary worker ID and handed it to the guard. He glanced at it and shook his head.

Sorry, ma'am. Mr. Yates gave strict orders. While Mr. Knight is touring the facility, no delivery drivers, maintenance staff, interns, or temporary workers are allowed in or out.

Of course, she knew this would happen. Leo really was pulling out all the stops.

Ruby simply smiled and pulled out a different card. The guard's eyes widened at the government seal. He immediately straightened.

His voice snapping to attention. Please go right in.

Ruby slid her ID back into her wallet and strolled right through the gate. It didn't take her long to find Owen. As she watched him like a hawk, her back straightened with resolve.

I'm not leaving until you acknowledge me today, Knight, she vowed. I?

Won't be turned away this time.