Weeks slipped by, and life returned to its usual rhythm.
Ashton remained for only a short while before leaving for Russia to settle unfinished business. Sebastian, on the other hand, stayed behind. A house could never stand without its foundation, and the Kozcivrie family was no different.
His days blurred together. Sunrise meant paperwork. Sunset meant more paperwork. Contracts, reports, and endless stacks of documents consumed every waking hour. The only time he left his office was to eat, bathe, or sleep before beginning the cycle all over again.
Ruth, meanwhile, embraced a far gentler routine. Afternoons were spent in the garden, sharing coffee and tea with the wives of influential families. Laughter drifted through the flowers as they boasted about their sons and daughters, each conversation masking quiet competition beneath polite smiles.
For the moment, peace reigned.
For the moment.
With the last document neatly returned to its place, Sebastian finally let out a long breath and leaned back in his chair.
The door creaked open.
Ruth stepped inside, leaning casually against the doorway in her silk nightgown. A playful smile curled across her lips as she studied the exhausted man before her.
"You look terrible, darling," she teased. "I was thinking you might enjoy a late-night massage."
Sebastian answered with nothing more than a weary smile as Ruth crossed the room. She perched herself on the edge of his desk, close enough for their eyes to meet.
"It's been so long since you've played with me, sweetie." Her voice softened into a mock complaint. "I'm beginning to think you're planning to replace me with another woman."
Her foot slowly glided over his chest, her teasing smile never fading.
Sebastian met her gaze with a faint smile. "How could I ever replace my wife?" he said softly. "Besides, I barely have enough time to think about another woman."
As he spoke, he gently cradled her ankle and pressed a courtly kiss to the top of her foot, never taking his eyes off hers.
Ruth met his gaze with a flirtatious smile. She slid off the desk and settled comfortably onto his lap, idly playing with his hair. "You always know exactly what to say, don't you?" she teased. "It's no wonder I fell for you all those years ago."
"Is there something you need?" he asked softly. "I don't believe you came here just to play with me."
"I don't need anything, Sebastian." Ruth smiled, her tone light. "Curiosity killed the cat."
She paused for a brief moment before meeting his eyes.
"Tell me... who is Martha?"
For the first time that evening, Sebastian fell silent.
The question caught him off guard, but only for a heartbeat. Years of leading the Kozcivrie family had taught him how to bury even the smallest crack beneath a composed expression. Not a flicker escaped his face.
Ruth waited patiently, idly tracing circles across his chest with the tip of her finger.
Knowing there was no point in avoiding the question, Sebastian finally spoke.
"How long have you known about her?"
For the first time that night, his gaze turned sharp.
Ruth slipped off his lap and walked toward the window behind him. The moonlight spilled across the room, leaving her face hidden in the shadows.
"You've underestimated me, darling," she said quietly. "I'm impressed you managed to hide her for this long."
A heavy silence settled between them.
Then she spoke again.
"But that's not what surprises me the most."
She slowly turned to face him.
"It's the boy."
Her eyes met his.
"The boy you've been hiding all along."
Sebastian remained motionless.
The room was silent, yet the answer was already written across his face.
Sebastian straightened himself and rose from his chair.
"There's nothing to worry about," he said calmly. "Neither Martha nor the boy she's taking care of poses any threat."
He stepped toward Ruth, hoping his reassurance would be enough to put the matter to rest.
It wasn't.
Ruth let out a quiet laugh, one devoid of warmth.
"Nothing to worry about?" she repeated. "Sebastian, don't take me for a fool."
She turned to face him, disappointment far more visible than anger.
"I could forgive a mistake from your past."
Her eyes never left his.
"But what I can't accept..." she said, her voice growing colder, "...is that you've been secretly meeting that boy all these years."
A bitter smile crossed her lips.
"And after all this time, you still have the nerve to feed me that same old bullshit?"
Sebastian stood his ground before closing the distance between them. He gently lifted Ruth's chin, meeting her unwavering gaze.
There were no tears in her eyes.
Only quiet resolve.
"I wouldn't tell you the same lie if things weren't exactly as they seem."
Ruth brushed his hand away without hesitation.
"I'll forgive the mistakes you've made in the past," she said as she walked toward the door. "But tell me this..."
She paused.
"What could the lowly Collins family possibly offer that the Kozcivrie family couldn't?"
For the second time that night, Sebastian found himself at a loss for words.
He had never imagined Ruth could uncover so much from a secret he believed had been buried years ago.
Her hand rested on the doorknob.
Without turning around, she spoke one last time.
"You'd better keep that boy close."
A faint, sarcastic chuckle escaped her lips.
"Or should I call him..."
She looked back over her shoulder.
"...your hidden heir."
A brief silence filled the room.
"Am I right, darling?"
The door closed behind her.
Sebastian remained where he stood, one hand tucked into his pocket.
He wasn't angry.
If anything, the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smile.
For the first time in years...
He had been completely outplayed by his own wife.