"May I remind you again that we're married?" Before she could protest, he lifted her clean off the ground.
"Hey!" Ruby gasped. In seconds, she was already seated inside the car, the door shut, her seatbelt fastened.
"To the mansion," Max instructed the driver. Then, turning to her, he said quietly but firmly,
"You'll stay with me from now on. And in public, we are a real couple." Ruby swallowed and nodded, deliberately avoiding his gaze.
"Are you hungry?" Max asked.
Ruby opened her mouth to say no. What she really wanted was silence. A room. Space to breathe. The air around him felt heavy, too heavy, and her chest tightened just thinking about sitting across from him.
"I'm hungry," Max added calmly. "We should eat." Before she could object, the car slowed to a stop in front of a five-star restaurant glowing softly against the evening sky.
Inside, they were led into a private room. Max ordered without hesitation, his voice low and assured. When the dishes arrived, Ruby froze.
