Chapter 100

Ruby’s POV

I didn’t bother knocking. The door swung open with a bang that echoed down the hall, and my voice followed right after it.

“Mateo!”

The office was empty. The wide desk stood immaculate, papers neatly stacked, not a single chair out of place. My pulse spiked harder.

I turned, my heels clicking against the marble, my heart loud enough to drown out reason. I moved fast, past the office, past the sitting room, past the damn hallway that had always felt too long.

“Mateo!” I yelled again, my voice breaking slightly this time. No answer.

The door to his bedroom was ajar. I pushed it open and found, nothing. Just the faint smell of his cologne and smoke lingering in the air.

Then I heard it. A low murmur, distant but clear enough to recognize his voice. I turned toward the balcony and saw him below, standing near the driveway with a few men. His hand moved as he gestured, a cigarette glowing faintly between his fingers.

Relief hit me first. Then irritation.

I rushed down the stairs,