Married To a Stranger

Chapter 9

Oh gosh, are you lost again?

Ruby gasped, trying to make sense of it all.

But the old woman breezed right past her and marched upstairs.

Straight into Ruby's apartment, as if she lived there.

In Ruby's cozy apartment, the old lady regally sat at the dining table and polished off a third glass of water.

You were really thirsty, huh? Ruby mused.

Oh, you have no idea.

I was going crazy looking for you.

Ruby stood up, her voice firm.

Ma'am, I'm really not the person you're looking for.

You've got me mixed up with someone else.

Darling, I know exactly who you are.

The old woman insisted, lifting her cup and downing another glass.

Ruby knew it was pointless to argue.

She just pulled out her phone and dialed the same number from before.

It barely rang once before someone picked up.

Hello.

The man's voice was deep and velvety, faintly familiar.

Before Ruby could get a word out, the old lady snatched the phone right out of her hand.

Across town, Owen was coordinating a search team.

His expression was calm, but panic clouded him.

It wasn't just Alzheimer's.

Matilda was eighty-seven.

Her organs were failing.

Any shock could be catastrophic.

The second his phone rang, he answered, only to be met with his grandma's surprisingly forceful voice.

You brat, don't you dare come looking for me.

I'm with my granddaughter-in-law.

Granddaughter-in-law?

Owen frowned and checked the caller ID.

It was the same girl from earlier.

So his grandma was with her again.

His expression hardened.

Where are you, Grandma?

I'm not telling.

Matilda snapped.

You think I can't find you just because you won't tell me? He shot back, slightly annoyed.

You are not to look for me.

And don't you dare send anyone else to track me either.

If you do, I'll make a big fuss.

Matilda warned with the seriousness of an angry child.

Owen rubbed his temples and whispered to the doctor beside him.

Can we just go get her?

The doctor shook his head.

She can't handle any agitation for now.

Just play along.

Besides, that young woman didn't seem like a bad person.

Owen clenched his jaw and tried a softer approach.

Grandma, I need to bring you your medicine.

Please work with me.

But Matilda was unmoved.

I don't need it.

I have my medicine with me.

Don't you worry.

I'll only leave once I take my granddaughter-in-law home.

With that, she hung up and handed the phone back to Ruby.

There. All settled.

You know, you're speechless.

Grandma, won't your family be worried?

No, it's all taken care of.

I'll be here with you.

Matilda waved her off.

Ruby blinked at her in disbelief.

Seriously.

What kind of family dumps their sick grandmother on a complete stranger?

Ruby was about to call back when a notification popped up.

A w******p message from the unknown number read:

I'm her grandson.

She saved the contact as Grandson.

A second message arrived immediately.

Please look after my grandma for a bit.

She isn't well and can't be stressed.

Ruby scoffed and typed a blunt reply.

Sorry, not my problem.

I'm not running a daycare.

Before she could hit send, a clatter from the kitchen startled her.

She rushed in to find the old woman digging through her fridge.

Are you hungry? Ruby asked.

I can make you something.

No, sweetie.

Matilda turned her wrinkled face, breaking into a kind smile.

I'm looking for some ice.

It'll help with the swelling on your pretty face.

Ruby froze.

She had built an armor of indifference after years of Sheila's cruelty, but this old woman's gentleness chipped at that wall.

For the first time in forever, someone had taken care of her.

She bit her lip as her phone buzzed again.

It was a bank alert.

The number she had saved as Grandson had just sent her $40,000.

She got another text the next second that said:

This is for Grandma's expenses for the week.

Let me know if you need more.

Ruby stared at the harsh text she'd been about to send and deleted it.

She typed a new reply.

All right.

She's safe with me.

She wasn't sure why, but she decided to let Matilda stay.

Wow.

This grandson must be loaded.

She mumbled to herself.

Staring at her updated balance, her thoughts drifted unwillingly to the other absurdly rich man she'd met today.

Her mood soured instantly.

Gosh, if only Owen Knight were as cooperative as this guy.

She sighed.

Little did Ruby know that fate had something greater planned for her.