Chapter 1 Freedom!

RUBY'S POV

"Thank you."

I gave the Italian man a smile over the counter, accepting the hot cup of latte. I took a sip, the frothy sweetness coating my tongue, and felt a pang of satisfaction. Nothing like a cup of coffee after a long day at the gym. My mornings were sacred-my time to unwind, to shed the facade of "Mrs. Perfect Wife," and to just exist.

As I settled back into my chair, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts, and finally froze on one.

My so-called absentee husband.

My thumb hovered over his name for a moment too long, debating if I really wanted to ruin this blissful moment. But boredom had been gnawing at me lately.

I hit call.

The phone rang twice before his voice came through, clipped and impatient. "What do you want, Ruby?"

"Good morning to you too, darling," I chirped, keeping my voice as sweet as the latte in my hand. "I was just calling to check on you. Is that a crime now?"

He sighed. "I'm busy. Can we do this later?"

I leaned back in my chair, smirking to myself. His tone was rushed, defensive even. "Busy with what? It's a Wednesday morning. You don't have meetings until the afternoon, remember?"

There was a pause-just a fraction of a second too long. "Work stuff. You wouldn't understand."

"Of course," I said, taking another sip of my latte. "Work stuff. Sounds... mysterious. Are you saving the world again, or just playing hooky?"

Gabriel didn't laugh. He never did. "Ruby, I don't have time for your games."

"Games?" I let out a mock gasp. "I'm just trying to be a good wife. Isn't that what you wanted? Someone to check in on you, make sure you're eating your greens, and all that?"

His breath hitched slightly, and I could almost picture him rubbing the back of his neck, like he always did when he was caught off guard. "I'm not hungry," he muttered. "And I'm fine. You don't need to check up on me."

"Right," I said, my voice dropping into a colder register. "Because you're always so fine, aren't you? Everything's just peachy in the world of Mr. Perfect."

"Ruby," he said sharply. "What's the point of this call?"

I glanced around the café, watching as a couple nearby laughed over their shared plate of pastries. For a moment, I wondered what it must feel like to have that kind of ease, that kind of connection. I barely stayed in the same house with Gabriel anyway, so it was all wishful thinking.

"I don't know," I said softly. "Maybe I just wanted to hear your voice. Is that so terrible?"

There was another pause, longer this time. When he finally spoke, his tone was filled with something I couldn't quite place. Guilt? Regret? No, that would require him to care.

"Look, Ruby," he mumbled. "I'm not in the mood for this. If you're bored, go buy another dress or take one of your yoga classes or whatever it is you do to keep yourself entertained. Just leave me out of it."

My anger flared up, but I forced a laugh. "Ah, there it is. The great advice from my loving husband. Spend more money, distract myself, and stay out of your hair. How original."

"Don't twist my words," he snapped.

"Why not? You twist mine all the time," I shot back. "Or do you only reserve your creativity for the office these days?"

He didn't answer. I could hear faint background noises on his end-papers shuffling, the hum of a television, and something else... a soft laugh that wasn't his.

My fingers tightened around my cup. "Are you alone?" I asked casually, though my heart was roaring now.

"Of course," he said, too quickly. "Why would you even ask that?"

I smiled, though there was no one around to see it. "No reason. You just sound... different. Distracted. Nervous, even. Makes me wonder what-or who-you're hiding."

"Ruby, don't start," he warned.

"Start what?" I said innocently. "I'm just making conversation."

He exhaled sharply, the sound of a man who had run out of excuses. "I'm hanging up now."

"No, you're not," I shot back. "Not until you tell me what's going on."

"Nothing is going on!" he snapped, his voice rising. "Why do you always have to make everything so damn difficult?"

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. "Because you make it so easy, darling. I mean, listen to yourself. You're practically choking on your own lies."

"You're paranoid," he growled. "This is exactly why-"

"Why what?" I interrupted. "Why you don't love me? Why you treat me like some inconvenient houseplant you forgot to water? Go on, say it. I won't be surprised."

The line went silent again, but this time it wasn't empty. I could hear his shallow breathing, the faint rustle of movement, and then-just barely-a voice in the background. A woman's voice.

I cut the call, abandoned my latte and raced out of the cafe.

**********

I drove home faster than I should have, the city of Chicago blurring around me like an abstract painting. My fingers tapped rhythmically on the steering wheel, not with anger, but with anticipation. Whatever I had heard over the phone, I wanted to see it for myself. It wasn't jealousy-no, I had stopped caring about him long ago. This was curiosity. Pure, unfiltered curiosity.

I pulled into the driveway and turned off the car. My shoes thundered against the stone pathway as I walked to the front door, letting myself in with deliberate ease.

I headed upstairs, taking slow steps. The faint sounds I had suspected over the phone became clearer as I neared the bedroom. I paused at the door, my hand hovering over the handle. This was it-the moment most women would dread.

But not me.

I pushed the door open just enough to see inside, and there he was, tangled in the sheets with a woman I did recognize. Julia, my supposedly best friend. Her long hair spilled over the pillows as she gasped his name, her nails clawing at his back like a desperate animal. My husband was grunting, his face contorted in an expression I hadn't seen in years-pleasure.

And I watched.

The sight should have hurt me, shouldn't it? This was my husband, my supposed partner in life, betraying me in the most cliché way imaginable. But instead of pain, I felt exhilaration. A cold, calculating thrill spread through me like wildfire.

This was my chance.

I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms and tilting my head slightly. They were so consumed by each other that they didn't even notice me. How ironic. The man who barely spared me a glance was now on full display, utterly vulnerable.

I waited until they finished. It didn't take long- Gabriel never had much stamina. When they finally collapsed into the sheets, panting and spent, I straightened up and cleared my throat.

His head snapped up. Julia yelped, scrambling to cover herself with the sheet. I smiled, the kind of smile that could chill a room.

"Don't mind me," I said smoothly, stepping into the room as if I belonged there. "I just thought I'd see what all the noise was about."

"Ruby-" he started.

"Don't bother explaining," I cut him off, waving a hand dismissively. "I've seen enough. In fact, I'm impressed. You actually managed to put some effort into something for once."

Julia looked between us, her face pale and horrified. "I-I can explain," she stammered. "I.. I..I'm sorry!"

I laughed. "Oh, sweetie, don't apologize. You've done me a favor."

"Ruby, listen-" he tried again, sitting up and reaching for me.

"No!" I snapped. "You don't get to talk right now. In fact, you don't get to do much of anything. But I do have an idea."

They stared at me in confusion.

"Why don't you both join me for dinner tonight?" I offered. "We can talk this out like civilized adults. Doesn't that sound fun?"

"What are you playing at?" Gabriel growled.

I moved to the door, turned to him and smiled again. "Oh, you'll see. Be ready by seven, Gabriel. And bring your latest wh*re with you."