THE CONTRACT BRIDE

DINING WITH THE KINGSLEYS

--[CHAPTER NINE ----Dining with the Kingsleys]

The silence in the car was louder than the engine’s hum. Royal kept glancing at Ruby, who sat calmly, scrolling through her phone with the air of someone who had won a private war. Her nonchalance irritated him—but deep down, it intrigued him too.

He finally broke the silence.

“you good ?”

Ruby looked up, "Yes I am ".

“sorry I don't tell you last night that we going to see my parents this morning .”

She raised a brow . “Do you just apologize?”

Royal gritted his teeth and looked away. “This marriage is a contract. Let’s not make it messier than it already is.”

“Oh, honey,” she said sweetly, “you have no idea what messy even looks like.”

They pulled up to the Kingsley mansion. The white stone facade glowed under the golden dusk, with sleek cars lining the circular driveway. Ruby’s heels clicked confidently as she stepped out, her red silk dress hugging every curve. Royal stepped beside her, adjusting his cufflinks.

“Remember,” he muttered, “they think this is real. So behave.”

“Darling,” she whispered close to his ear, “I don’t need to pretend. I’m already better than the fantasy.”

Inside, the atmosphere was warm but regal. A long dining table was set with crystal glasses and gold-plated cutlery. Mr. Kingsley, a tall man with commanding presence, stood from the head of the table. Beside him, Mrs. Kingsley, poised and elegant, gave a polite smile.

“Royal, Ruby,” Mr. Kingsley said. “Welcome. It’s about time we had dinner as a family.”

Royal kissed his mother’s cheek. Ruby extended a hand to Mrs. Kingsley, who surprised her with a hug instead.

“You’re even more stunning in person,” Mrs. Kingsley said warmly. “My son has good taste.”

Ruby smiled. “Thank you, ma’am.”

As dinner began, conversation flowed—carefully at first. Mr. Kingsley asked Ruby about her fashion business.

“You’ve built quite a name for yourself,” he said. “Impressive for someone so young.”

“I don’t take no for an answer,” Ruby said, lifting her glass. “I go after what I want.”

Royal coughed quietly into his drink. His mother noticed.

“Trouble in paradise already?” she teased.

“Not at all,” Royal said stiffly.

Mrs. Kingsley leaned in. “Well, we’re just happy to finally meet the woman who could pin our son down. He’s always been… selective.”

That was when the tone shifted.

Mr. Kingsley folded his napkin and placed it down. “Ruby,” he said, “you’ve impressed us. But there’s something we need to ask.”

Royal’s brow furrowed. “Dad…”

But Mr. Kingsley raised a hand. “Let her speak. Ruby, are you… truly in this? We’ve heard things—rumors about your stepmother’s involvement, and her recent investments using your name.”

The room tensed. Ruby froze, but recovered quickly.

“I’m not responsible for what Clarissa does behind my back,” she said. “I built my business. She just wants a piece of it.”

Royal’s jaw tightened. He hadn’t expected his parents to know so much. “How did you find out?”

Mrs. Kingsley exchanged a glance with her husband. “We keep our ears to the ground. And frankly, Royal, we don’t want this marriage to ruin either of your reputations.”

Suddenly, Mr. Kingsley dropped the bomb.

“If this is just for show—end it. But if it’s real, and you both want to build something meaningful, then we’ll support you. Fully. Including naming Ruby as a partner in our company.”

Royal choked. “What?”

Ruby’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” Mr. Kingsley said. “We’ve seen enough to know talent when we see it. But we won’t invest in a lie.”

Silence fell.

Ruby met Royal’s gaze. The tension between them burned hotter than ever. A challenge lingered in the air—one neither of them expected.

As the night drew on, only one thought echoed in Ruby’s mind:

"What if this contract marriage came with more power than she ever imagined?"

—