Chapter 3

Josiah's attitude was noticeably softer this time.

He came up behind my sofa and began massaging my shoulders, trying to look like the dutiful son he'd once been.

"Mom, I'm sorry about yesterday," he started pitifully. "I don't mind living a little more modestly, but Ruby can't handle it. She's pregnant. Do you really have the heart to let your grandchild go without proper nutrition?"

His audacity disgusted me. I slapped his hands away and turned to face him.

"My grandchild?" I scoffed. "You're not even my flesh and blood. Besides, are you so sure the baby she's carrying is yours?"

I'd received some interesting news shortly before they arrived. The baby wasn't Josiah's seed at all.

When her dark secret was exposed, the color drained from Ruby's face.

"Mrs. Barnes, even if you hate me, you can't make up something like that about me," she protested rather weakly. "What do I have to do to prove that I truly love Josiah? Do I have to die?"

With that, she made a dramatic move to throw herself into the glass coffee table. Josiah panicked and caught her just in time, pulling her into a gentle, protective embrace.

"Babe, don't do anything reckless. How could I ever doubt you?" He whirled around, glaring daggers at me. "What the hell is this? Are you making all these accusations just to break us up and force me to marry Charlotte?"

What a performance! Their tragic little love story was almost impressive. I was almost tempted to applaud.

I'd already dropped the hint, but since he'd chosen to remain blind, he could deal with the consequences himself.

I waved a hand dismissively and looked away. "Believe whatever you want. Now get out of my house. I have guests coming for afternoon tea, and I don't have time for your antics."

Just then, Charlotte walked through the front door with several of our friends from high society. I immediately smiled and went to greet them. "Ladies, let's head out to the garden. Afternoon tea is already waiting."

The moment Ruby saw Charlotte, she dropped to the floor and began sobbing.

"I'm begging you, Ms. Thorne. Please, just leave us alone. You're rich and beautiful. You could have any man you want. Can't you let Josiah be with me?"

She was clearly hoping to win sympathy, but no one seemed impressed by the performance.

Josiah, however, lost his temper. He lunged toward Charlotte and grabbed her arm so hard that his fingernails dug into her skin.

"Did you go around spreading lies about Ruby to my mother?" he hissed.

"Are you out of your mind?" Charlotte shoved him away in disgust. "Look at yourself, barking at anyone like a rabid dog!"

Before, she had tolerated his arrogance out of respect for me, but she certainly wasn't going to take his abuse now.

"That's enough." I looked toward security. "Get these two out of my house."

The security guards immediately moved in. Josiah struggled against them, shouting through clenched teeth, "Fine! If you want me to marry her so badly, I'll do it. Just stop making things so difficult for Ruby!"

Ruby wiped away her tears and leaned against him. "I don't want you to give up your happiness for me. As long as I can be with you, I'll endure anything."

The two of them continued playing the devoted couple, making me look like the cruel mother standing between two star-crossed lovers.

Clearly, they both wanted all the privileges that came with the Barnes family without making a single sacrifice. But that kind of sweet deal didn't even exist in this world.

I snorted, unimpressed at all, and Josiah's face darkened even further.

He held up two fingers, declaring, "I have two requests. "First, the child Ruby and I are having will be the sole heir to the Barnes fortune.

"Second, you will stay out of our relationship and allow us to see each other whenever we want. And you'll give Ruby five million dollars every month."

I burst out laughing.

The sheer audacity of the man was almost unbelievable. In the next instant, I shattered his ridiculous fantasy without an ounce of mercy.

"Keep dreaming," I said indifferently. "And as for marrying Charlotte, you're not even in the running anymore."

"Exactly." One of our friends stepped forward, looking Josiah up and down with open contempt. "Charlotte is exceptional in every way. There are plenty of men lining up to court her. What makes you think you're special?"

Josiah clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.

"Just wait," he sneered, trying to salvage what little pride he had left. "Let's see how ridiculous your engagement party looks when I'm not there."