After her release from prison, Ruby Grayson cradled her six-month-old baby in her arms. A year and a half earlier, the husband she had adored for a decade had personally sent her to jail. Her stepsister, whom she had treated as family, conspired with her childhood friend Morgan Blackwood to fabricate evidence against her. Her own family disowned her, refusing to acknowledge a convict as their daughter. They had trampled on her love, dignity, and honor to secure their own positions. Now free, Ruby wanted only to raise her child and finalize the divorce—until her ex-husband stood before her, eyes pleading, "Ruby, I was blinded. You’re the only one I’ve ever loved." Her stepsister and family begged for forgiveness, "We know we were wrong. Please forgive us." Even Morgan Blackwood knelt before her, "I did it all to give you a better life. It was just a year in prison—I’ll take care of you!" Ruby tightened her hold on her daughter, Mira, whispering softly, "Hush, Mira. They’re all bad people." Without looking back, she walked away, determined to build a new life on her own terms.

Chapter 1Ruby Grayson stepped out of the prison gates and into the biting wind.She instinctively wrapped her arms tighter around the bundle in her arms.When the gusts finally died down, she carefully lifted a corner of the soft blanket, revealing a baby's rosy, cherubic face.The little one gurgled, blowing bubbles, big eyes round and bright as blackberries, fixated on her mother."Good girl, Mira," Ruby cooed, her voice gentle and soothing.Six-month-old Mira was calm and quiet; she felt warm and secure whenever she was held in her mother's arms.In the distance, a bus rumbled up to the curb.Ruby adjusted her hold on Mira and, after dropping a couple of coins into the farebox, found a seat near the back.At that moment, a limited-edition Bentley glided to a stop outside the prison gates.Inside, Cassian Veyne sat in the back seat, his sharply defined features accentuated by an icy expression. He looked as though he'd been carved from marble, eyes half-closed in thought.Now, he opened his cold, steely gaze and fixed it on the gates ahead."Quinborough Women's Correctional Facility" was etched in worn stone above the entrance, the letters faded by the years.Cassian glanced at the sign, then checked his watch with a flick of his wrist."Why is she still not out?"His voice was clear and cutting, as cold as rain striking stone.From the driver's seat came a hurried reply. "Perhaps they're still finalizing her release paperwork, sir. There might be a delay."The driver hesitated, then added, "Don't worry, sir. Today is the day Mrs. Veyne completes her sentence. If she knew you'd come in person to pick her up, she'd be over the moon."Cassian's eyelids dropped, masking the coldness in his gaze. "Really?" He almost allowed himself a sardonic smile."A year and a half ago, when she conspired with the Blackwood family and sold confidential files from Veyne & Co., do you think she imagined this day would come? She could have remained Mrs. Veyne, but she chose to play corporate spy. She brought this on herself."He leaned back, the words hanging heavy in the air. "I wonder what face she'll show me when she walks out. If she dares to face me at all."The car's air conditioning seemed to sap all warmth, making the space feel stifling.The driver shrank into his seat, not daring to make a sound.After a long moment, he cracked the window for some air.That's when he caught sight of the city bus idling nearby."Huh…"He squinted. "Isn't that… Mrs.—"Cassian pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaustion etched in the lines of his face. He had spent the previous night locked in a marathon international conference call; he hadn't slept until dawn.Without opening his eyes, he muttered, "What? Who did you say?""Oh, my mistake, sir." The bus was already pulling away, and the driver shook his head sheepishly. "I thought I saw Mrs. Veyne, but… I must have been mistaken."No way Mrs. Veyne would be holding a baby.She was only twenty-two when she went in, and her marriage to Mr. Veyne had been a disaster from the start. They never even shared a bed… He must have been seeing things, confusing a woman carrying a baby with her.Cassian finally opened his eyes.The gates of Quinborough remained firmly shut.But, just for a moment, as the city bus passed, he glimpsed a delicate profile through its window—a woman bowing her head, cradling her child. Her dark hair fell in soft waves, concealing half of her face. He couldn't make out her features, but the tenderness in her eyes was unmistakable, as if she were looking at the most precious thing in the world.Abruptly, Cassian's thoughts were pulled back to that night eighteen months earlier...He'd been out drinking for work, too much whiskey chased by the echo of his grandmother's voice, insisting it was time for him to settle down and have a child.He remembered her—helping him off with his shoes and jacket, wiping his face and hands, coaxing him to drink water, half-carrying him to bed.And, just as she pulled the covers over him, he'd grabbed her slim, pale wrist."Haven't you always wanted to tie me down forever? Had my grandmother pressure me for a child, right? Well, tonight, you'll get exactly what you wished for!"With that, he pulled her into his arms.She was delicate and petite, her cheeks flushed as vividly as spring blossom beneath him. A faint, intoxicating fragrance lingered around her, clouding his already fraying composure.Almost as if under a spell, he leaned down.Foreplay lingered, slow and drawn out, until at last, lost in a haze, he claimed her. Amid the fevered confusion, he thought he heard her crying softly."Cassian, I don't want this…"Is this the tactic then, playing hard to get? If she truly didn't want this, why would she yield to the pressure from his mother? It's quite hypocritical.A surge of anger flared in him. The second time, when he took her again, he pinned her wrists above her head, his kiss rough, almost punishing."Ruby, you brought this on yourself."At dawn, buttoning his shirt, he didn't look back as he addressed the trembling figure crying beneath the covers.But he'd barely stepped outside when he was met by men waiting at the gate."Mr. Veyne, we have evidence. Your employee, Ruby, is suspected of stealing corporate secrets. We're placing her under arrest…""If our investigation is correct, she's also your wife…"Cassian's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched tight."Don't spare my reputation. I've said before—when you catch the culprit, press the maximum sentence."They dragged her from the bed, half-dressed, clutching a coat around her shoulders.In the rain-washed courtyard, she dropped to her knees, sobbing, pleading with him."Cassian, please, you have to believe me—I didn't…""If I believed you, what would we need the police for?"He stood beneath the eaves, hands shoved in his pockets, unmoved."I won't accept any form of leniency. No amount of money will change my mind. People who do wrong must pay the price."They hauled her away.She kept looking back, step by painful step. Her tear-swollen eyes were rimmed red, her neck still marked with bruises from his passion. Tears splattered onto the wet stones, mingling with the remnants of the rain.Cassian pressed his parched lips together, forcing himself to look away."Get the car ready. I'm going to work."Behind him, the household staff exchanged uneasy glances, too afraid to speak.They'd seen everything: how, as the door slammed shut, the woman who had loved Cassian for ten long years was finally dragged away. And in that last moment, she'd given a tearful, broken smile.To cry and smile at once—that's what it looks like when a heart finally shatters...."Sir, shall we keep waiting?"An hour had passed. The driver couldn't help but break the silence.Cassian's thoughts were a tangled mess.At last, he dragged himself from that distant memory, his jaw sharp and set."No. If she wants to walk home, let her crawl back on her own."So much for his good intentions—he had even postponed a crucial board meeting for her."Yes, sir."The engine rumbled to life, and the car rolled away.After a while, the driver glanced in the rearview mirror. The gates of the women's prison remained firmly shut. There was still no sign of the woman who should have been released.Strange.What exactly was she doing?She knew full well her husband had come to collect her—yet she lingered inside, deliberately provoking him.She had completed her sentence. Now a convict, why maintain such stubbornness?Didn't she realize? With a criminal record, she could never return to being the celebrated, dazzling star of the legal world she once was.The driver shook his head and pressed harder on the gas.In the back seat, Cassian had already opened his tablet, sifting through urgent emails. But his brow was furrowed, and irritation simmered beneath his calm exterior.Later that night, in the garden at Northridge Manor, fallen petals blanketed the rain-dark stones.Cassian stepped out of his study.He wore a dark set of loungewear, moving quietly until he saw the light glowing under the bedroom door.Without hesitation, he quickened his pace.A sudden breeze swept in, sending a cascade of crab apple petals drifting across the slate-blue carpet.When Cassian pushed open the door, streaks of rosy pink caught his eye.The window was thrown wide open, letting the wind fill the room. The crab apple branches pressed against the glass as always, but the one person he expected to find inside was gone.He crossed the room and shut the window with a practiced hand.The wind stilled, but his mind did not.Cassian's tall frame halted at the foot of the bed. He pressed one hand into the charcoal-gray duvet while his other hand massaged his forehead, his frustration mounting.She was just someone insignificant—why should he care?If she died out there, it was none of his concern. She was the one who refused to come back.A faint trace of perfume lingered in the air. The cold wind had all but dispersed it, yet Cassian's expression darkened at once."Who's been in this room? Someone, get in here!"Meanwhile, at the hidden side gate behind Northridge Manor—Nona hurriedly shepherded a stumbling figure out into the night.The woman staggered, arms wrapped protectively around a bundled infant.Mira slept soundly. Perhaps the night air was a little chilly; she burrowed her rosy face deeper into her mother's embrace.Ruby held her daughter close, gentle and careful.She'd been worried Mira might cry and alert the wolf inside the house, but the little girl seemed to sense her mother's anxiety and stayed quiet, not making a sound.Adjusting Mira in her arms, Ruby turned to Nona."Thank you—for everything tonight."Nona was the housekeeper, responsible for keeping the manor spotless.Years ago, Ruby had shown her kindness, so when Ruby returned tonight to fetch her belongings, Nona kept watch for her.So many new faces had come and gone over the years, but Nona had remained steadfast.She'd always thought she'd spend her days quietly working, saving up for retirement, turning a blind eye to the household's secrets. She never imagined that one day, she'd get to repay her old debt to the lady of the house."If you hadn't given me a meal when I was desperate, I wouldn't have survived in this foreign land."Nona dabbed at her reddened eyes. "You've suffered so much, ma'am." She hesitated, then asked, "Are you truly never coming back?"Ruby's gaze dropped; her silence was answer enough."My life before was ruined by him. I want nothing more to do with Cassian, and I'll never let him near Mira."Nona let out a heavy sigh, nodding. "Did you get everything you needed?""I did." Ruby pressed the documents deeper into her bag—her ID, bank cards, passport, and the three hundred thousand she'd earned as a lawyer over the past three years. Just the essentials, and nothing that belonged to Cassian. She'd only taken what was rightfully hers."I have it all, but…" She couldn't help but frown.Just as she'd gathered her things, Cassian had come out of his study. She and Nona barely managed to slip out the window in time.Had she left something behind in her haste? She could only hope Cassian wouldn't notice the small clues. All Ruby wanted now was a quiet life with Mira, free from anyone's interference.Nona seemed to sense her worry, and her nose stung with emotion.She nudged Ruby gently toward the gate, encouraging her to move forward."Don't worry—I'll handle anything that comes up.""After what he did—throwing you in jail with his own hands, so cold and ruthless—even I, an outsider, can't stand to watch it.""Hurry now, ma'am. Take good care of Miss Mira.""And yourself."Ruby looked back, biting her lip. "Nona, I need to ask you—"But Nona already understood. "Don't worry. Tonight, I never saw you." With those words, she closed the little gate and locked it tight.Through the crack, she waved her hand—worn and lined from years of work—her face full of sorrow.After all, it was Cassian who'd hired the best lawyers to send Ruby to prison with his own hands.Someone as cold and heartless as him didn't deserve a wife like her, or a daughter as sweet as little Mira.Chapter 2Ruby Grayson stepped out of the prison gates and into the biting wind.She instinctively wrapped her arms tighter around the bundle in her arms.When the gusts finally died down, she carefully lifted a corner of the soft blanket, revealing a baby's rosy, cherubic face.The little one gurgled, blowing bubbles, big eyes round and bright as blackberries, fixated on her mother."Good girl, Mira," Ruby cooed, her voice gentle and soothing.Six-month-old Mira was calm and quiet; she felt warm and secure whenever she was held in her mother's arms.In the distance, a bus rumbled up to the curb.Ruby adjusted her hold on Mira and, after dropping a couple of coins into the farebox, found a seat near the back.At that moment, a limited-edition Bentley glided to a stop outside the prison gates.Inside, Cassian Veyne sat in the back seat, his sharply defined features accentuated by an icy expression. He looked as though he'd been carved from marble, eyes half-closed in thought.Now, he opened his cold, steely gaze and fixed it on the gates ahead."Quinborough Women's Correctional Facility" was etched in worn stone above the entrance, the letters faded by the years.Cassian glanced at the sign, then checked his watch with a flick of his wrist."Why is she still not out?"His voice was clear and cutting, as cold as rain striking stone.From the driver's seat came a hurried reply. "Perhaps they're still finalizing her release paperwork, sir. There might be a delay."The driver hesitated, then added, "Don't worry, sir. Today is the day Mrs. Veyne completes her sentence. If she knew you'd come in person to pick her up, she'd be over the moon."Cassian's eyelids dropped, masking the coldness in his gaze. "Really?" He almost allowed himself a sardonic smile."A year and a half ago, when she conspired with the Blackwood family and sold confidential files from Veyne & Co., do you think she imagined this day would come? She could have remained Mrs. Veyne, but she chose to play corporate spy. She brought this on herself."He leaned back, the words hanging heavy in the air. "I wonder what face she'll show me when she walks out. If she dares to face me at all."The car's air conditioning seemed to sap all warmth, making the space feel stifling.The driver shrank into his seat, not daring to make a sound.After a long moment, he cracked the window for some air.That's when he caught sight of the city bus idling nearby."Huh…"He squinted. "Isn't that… Mrs.—"Cassian pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaustion etched in the lines of his face. He had spent the previous night locked in a marathon international conference call; he hadn't slept until dawn.Without opening his eyes, he muttered, "What? Who did you say?""Oh, my mistake, sir." The bus was already pulling away, and the driver shook his head sheepishly. "I thought I saw Mrs. Veyne, but… I must have been mistaken."No way Mrs. Veyne would be holding a baby.She was only twenty-two when she went in, and her marriage to Mr. Veyne had been a disaster from the start. They never even shared a bed… He must have been seeing things, confusing a woman carrying a baby with her.Cassian finally opened his eyes.The gates of Quinborough remained firmly shut.But, just for a moment, as the city bus passed, he glimpsed a delicate profile through its window—a woman bowing her head, cradling her child. Her dark hair fell in soft waves, concealing half of her face. He couldn't make out her features, but the tenderness in her eyes was unmistakable, as if she were looking at the most precious thing in the world.Abruptly, Cassian's thoughts were pulled back to that night eighteen months earlier...He'd been out drinking for work, too much whiskey chased by the echo of his grandmother's voice, insisting it was time for him to settle down and have a child.He remembered her—helping him off with his shoes and jacket, wiping his face and hands, coaxing him to drink water, half-carrying him to bed.And, just as she pulled the covers over him, he'd grabbed her slim, pale wrist."Haven't you always wanted to tie me down forever? Had my grandmother pressure me for a child, right? Well, tonight, you'll get exactly what you wished for!"With that, he pulled her into his arms.She was delicate and petite, her cheeks flushed as vividly as spring blossom beneath him. A faint, intoxicating fragrance lingered around her, clouding his already fraying composure.Almost as if under a spell, he leaned down.Foreplay lingered, slow and drawn out, until at last, lost in a haze, he claimed her. Amid the fevered confusion, he thought he heard her crying softly."Cassian, I don't want this…"Is this the tactic then, playing hard to get? If she truly didn't want this, why would she yield to the pressure from his mother? It's quite hypocritical.A surge of anger flared in him. The second time, when he took her again, he pinned her wrists above her head, his kiss rough, almost punishing."Ruby, you brought this on yourself."At dawn, buttoning his shirt, he didn't look back as he addressed the trembling figure crying beneath the covers.But he'd barely stepped outside when he was met by men waiting at the gate."Mr. Veyne, we have evidence. Your employee, Ruby, is suspected of stealing corporate secrets. We're placing her under arrest…""If our investigation is correct, she's also your wife…"Cassian's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched tight."Don't spare my reputation. I've said before—when you catch the culprit, press the maximum sentence."They dragged her from the bed, half-dressed, clutching a coat around her shoulders.In the rain-washed courtyard, she dropped to her knees, sobbing, pleading with him."Cassian, please, you have to believe me—I didn't…""If I believed you, what would we need the police for?"He stood beneath the eaves, hands shoved in his pockets, unmoved."I won't accept any form of leniency. No amount of money will change my mind. People who do wrong must pay the price."They hauled her away.She kept looking back, step by painful step. Her tear-swollen eyes were rimmed red, her neck still marked with bruises from his passion. Tears splattered onto the wet stones, mingling with the remnants of the rain.Cassian pressed his parched lips together, forcing himself to look away."Get the car ready. I'm going to work."Behind him, the household staff exchanged uneasy glances, too afraid to speak.They'd seen everything: how, as the door slammed shut, the woman who had loved Cassian for ten long years was finally dragged away. And in that last moment, she'd given a tearful, broken smile.To cry and smile at once—that's what it looks like when a heart finally shatters...."Sir, shall we keep waiting?"An hour had passed. The driver couldn't help but break the silence.Cassian's thoughts were a tangled mess.At last, he dragged himself from that distant memory, his jaw sharp and set."No. If she wants to walk home, let her crawl back on her own."So much for his good intentions—he had even postponed a crucial board meeting for her."Yes, sir."The engine rumbled to life, and the car rolled away.After a while, the driver glanced in the rearview mirror. The gates of the women's prison remained firmly shut. There was still no sign of the woman who should have been released.Strange.What exactly was she doing?She knew full well her husband had come to collect her—yet she lingered inside, deliberately provoking him.She had completed her sentence. Now a convict, why maintain such stubbornness?Didn't she realize? With a criminal record, she could never return to being the celebrated, dazzling star of the legal world she once was.The driver shook his head and pressed harder on the gas.In the back seat, Cassian had already opened his tablet, sifting through urgent emails. But his brow was furrowed, and irritation simmered beneath his calm exterior.Later that night, in the garden at Northridge Manor, fallen petals blanketed the rain-dark stones.Cassian stepped out of his study.He wore a dark set of loungewear, moving quietly until he saw the light glowing under the bedroom door.Without hesitation, he quickened his pace.A sudden breeze swept in, sending a cascade of crab apple petals drifting across the slate-blue carpet.When Cassian pushed open the door, streaks of rosy pink caught his eye.The window was thrown wide open, letting the wind fill the room. The crab apple branches pressed against the glass as always, but the one person he expected to find inside was gone.He crossed the room and shut the window with a practiced hand.The wind stilled, but his mind did not.Cassian's tall frame halted at the foot of the bed. He pressed one hand into the charcoal-gray duvet while his other hand massaged his forehead, his frustration mounting.She was just someone insignificant—why should he care?If she died out there, it was none of his concern. She was the one who refused to come back.A faint trace of perfume lingered in the air. The cold wind had all but dispersed it, yet Cassian's expression darkened at once."Who's been in this room? Someone, get in here!"Meanwhile, at the hidden side gate behind Northridge Manor—Nona hurriedly shepherded a stumbling figure out into the night.The woman staggered, arms wrapped protectively around a bundled infant.Mira slept soundly. Perhaps the night air was a little chilly; she burrowed her rosy face deeper into her mother's embrace.Ruby held her daughter close, gentle and careful.She'd been worried Mira might cry and alert the wolf inside the house, but the little girl seemed to sense her mother's anxiety and stayed quiet, not making a sound.Adjusting Mira in her arms, Ruby turned to Nona."Thank you—for everything tonight."Nona was the housekeeper, responsible for keeping the manor spotless.Years ago, Ruby had shown her kindness, so when Ruby returned tonight to fetch her belongings, Nona kept watch for her.So many new faces had come and gone over the years, but Nona had remained steadfast.She'd always thought she'd spend her days quietly working, saving up for retirement, turning a blind eye to the household's secrets. She never imagined that one day, she'd get to repay her old debt to the lady of the house."If you hadn't given me a meal when I was desperate, I wouldn't have survived in this foreign land."Nona dabbed at her reddened eyes. "You've suffered so much, ma'am." She hesitated, then asked, "Are you truly never coming back?"Ruby's gaze dropped; her silence was answer enough."My life before was ruined by him. I want nothing more to do with Cassian, and I'll never let him near Mira."Nona let out a heavy sigh, nodding. "Did you get everything you needed?""I did." Ruby pressed the documents deeper into her bag—her ID, bank cards, passport, and the three hundred thousand she'd earned as a lawyer over the past three years. Just the essentials, and nothing that belonged to Cassian. She'd only taken what was rightfully hers."I have it all, but…" She couldn't help but frown.Just as she'd gathered her things, Cassian had come out of his study. She and Nona barely managed to slip out the window in time.Had she left something behind in her haste? She could only hope Cassian wouldn't notice the small clues. All Ruby wanted now was a quiet life with Mira, free from anyone's interference.Nona seemed to sense her worry, and her nose stung with emotion.She nudged Ruby gently toward the gate, encouraging her to move forward."Don't worry—I'll handle anything that comes up.""After what he did—throwing you in jail with his own hands, so cold and ruthless—even I, an outsider, can't stand to watch it.""Hurry now, ma'am. Take good care of Miss Mira.""And yourself."Ruby looked back, biting her lip. "Nona, I need to ask you—"But Nona already understood. "Don't worry. Tonight, I never saw you." With those words, she closed the little gate and locked it tight.Through the crack, she waved her hand—worn and lined from years of work—her face full of sorrow.After all, it was Cassian who'd hired the best lawyers to send Ruby to prison with his own hands.Someone as cold and heartless as him didn't deserve a wife like her, or a daughter as sweet as little Mira.Chapter 3Ruby Grayson stepped out of the prison gates and into the biting wind.She instinctively wrapped her arms tighter around the bundle in her arms.When the gusts finally died down, she carefully lifted a corner of the soft blanket, revealing a baby's rosy, cherubic face.The little one gurgled, blowing bubbles, big eyes round and bright as blackberries, fixated on her mother."Good girl, Mira," Ruby cooed, her voice gentle and soothing.Six-month-old Mira was calm and quiet; she felt warm and secure whenever she was held in her mother's arms.In the distance, a bus rumbled up to the curb.Ruby adjusted her hold on Mira and, after dropping a couple of coins into the farebox, found a seat near the back.At that moment, a limited-edition Bentley glided to a stop outside the prison gates.Inside, Cassian Veyne sat in the back seat, his sharply defined features accentuated by an icy expression. He looked as though he'd been carved from marble, eyes half-closed in thought.Now, he opened his cold, steely gaze and fixed it on the gates ahead."Quinborough Women's Correctional Facility" was etched in worn stone above the entrance, the letters faded by the years.Cassian glanced at the sign, then checked his watch with a flick of his wrist."Why is she still not out?"His voice was clear and cutting, as cold as rain striking stone.From the driver's seat came a hurried reply. "Perhaps they're still finalizing her release paperwork, sir. There might be a delay."The driver hesitated, then added, "Don't worry, sir. Today is the day Mrs. Veyne completes her sentence. If she knew you'd come in person to pick her up, she'd be over the moon."Cassian's eyelids dropped, masking the coldness in his gaze. "Really?" He almost allowed himself a sardonic smile."A year and a half ago, when she conspired with the Blackwood family and sold confidential files from Veyne & Co., do you think she imagined this day would come? She could have remained Mrs. Veyne, but she chose to play corporate spy. She brought this on herself."He leaned back, the words hanging heavy in the air. "I wonder what face she'll show me when she walks out. If she dares to face me at all."The car's air conditioning seemed to sap all warmth, making the space feel stifling.The driver shrank into his seat, not daring to make a sound.After a long moment, he cracked the window for some air.That's when he caught sight of the city bus idling nearby."Huh…"He squinted. "Isn't that… Mrs.—"Cassian pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaustion etched in the lines of his face. He had spent the previous night locked in a marathon international conference call; he hadn't slept until dawn.Without opening his eyes, he muttered, "What? Who did you say?""Oh, my mistake, sir." The bus was already pulling away, and the driver shook his head sheepishly. "I thought I saw Mrs. Veyne, but… I must have been mistaken."No way Mrs. Veyne would be holding a baby.She was only twenty-two when she went in, and her marriage to Mr. Veyne had been a disaster from the start. They never even shared a bed… He must have been seeing things, confusing a woman carrying a baby with her.Cassian finally opened his eyes.The gates of Quinborough remained firmly shut.But, just for a moment, as the city bus passed, he glimpsed a delicate profile through its window—a woman bowing her head, cradling her child. Her dark hair fell in soft waves, concealing half of her face. He couldn't make out her features, but the tenderness in her eyes was unmistakable, as if she were looking at the most precious thing in the world.Abruptly, Cassian's thoughts were pulled back to that night eighteen months earlier...He'd been out drinking for work, too much whiskey chased by the echo of his grandmother's voice, insisting it was time for him to settle down and have a child.He remembered her—helping him off with his shoes and jacket, wiping his face and hands, coaxing him to drink water, half-carrying him to bed.And, just as she pulled the covers over him, he'd grabbed her slim, pale wrist."Haven't you always wanted to tie me down forever? Had my grandmother pressure me for a child, right? Well, tonight, you'll get exactly what you wished for!"With that, he pulled her into his arms.She was delicate and petite, her cheeks flushed as vividly as spring blossom beneath him. A faint, intoxicating fragrance lingered around her, clouding his already fraying composure.Almost as if under a spell, he leaned down.Foreplay lingered, slow and drawn out, until at last, lost in a haze, he claimed her. Amid the fevered confusion, he thought he heard her crying softly."Cassian, I don't want this…"Is this the tactic then, playing hard to get? If she truly didn't want this, why would she yield to the pressure from his mother? It's quite hypocritical.A surge of anger flared in him. The second time, when he took her again, he pinned her wrists above her head, his kiss rough, almost punishing."Ruby, you brought this on yourself."At dawn, buttoning his shirt, he didn't look back as he addressed the trembling figure crying beneath the covers.But he'd barely stepped outside when he was met by men waiting at the gate."Mr. Veyne, we have evidence. Your employee, Ruby, is suspected of stealing corporate secrets. We're placing her under arrest…""If our investigation is correct, she's also your wife…"Cassian's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched tight."Don't spare my reputation. I've said before—when you catch the culprit, press the maximum sentence."They dragged her from the bed, half-dressed, clutching a coat around her shoulders.In the rain-washed courtyard, she dropped to her knees, sobbing, pleading with him."Cassian, please, you have to believe me—I didn't…""If I believed you, what would we need the police for?"He stood beneath the eaves, hands shoved in his pockets, unmoved."I won't accept any form of leniency. No amount of money will change my mind. People who do wrong must pay the price."They hauled her away.She kept looking back, step by painful step. Her tear-swollen eyes were rimmed red, her neck still marked with bruises from his passion. Tears splattered onto the wet stones, mingling with the remnants of the rain.Cassian pressed his parched lips together, forcing himself to look away."Get the car ready. I'm going to work."Behind him, the household staff exchanged uneasy glances, too afraid to speak.They'd seen everything: how, as the door slammed shut, the woman who had loved Cassian for ten long years was finally dragged away. And in that last moment, she'd given a tearful, broken smile.To cry and smile at once—that's what it looks like when a heart finally shatters...."Sir, shall we keep waiting?"An hour had passed. The driver couldn't help but break the silence.Cassian's thoughts were a tangled mess.At last, he dragged himself from that distant memory, his jaw sharp and set."No. If she wants to walk home, let her crawl back on her own."So much for his good intentions—he had even postponed a crucial board meeting for her."Yes, sir."The engine rumbled to life, and the car rolled away.After a while, the driver glanced in the rearview mirror. The gates of the women's prison remained firmly shut. There was still no sign of the woman who should have been released.Strange.What exactly was she doing?She knew full well her husband had come to collect her—yet she lingered inside, deliberately provoking him.She had completed her sentence. Now a convict, why maintain such stubbornness?Didn't she realize? With a criminal record, she could never return to being the celebrated, dazzling star of the legal world she once was.The driver shook his head and pressed harder on the gas.In the back seat, Cassian had already opened his tablet, sifting through urgent emails. But his brow was furrowed, and irritation simmered beneath his calm exterior.Later that night, in the garden at Northridge Manor, fallen petals blanketed the rain-dark stones.Cassian stepped out of his study.He wore a dark set of loungewear, moving quietly until he saw the light glowing under the bedroom door.Without hesitation, he quickened his pace.A sudden breeze swept in, sending a cascade of crab apple petals drifting across the slate-blue carpet.When Cassian pushed open the door, streaks of rosy pink caught his eye.The window was thrown wide open, letting the wind fill the room. The crab apple branches pressed against the glass as always, but the one person he expected to find inside was gone.He crossed the room and shut the window with a practiced hand.The wind stilled, but his mind did not.Cassian's tall frame halted at the foot of the bed. He pressed one hand into the charcoal-gray duvet while his other hand massaged his forehead, his frustration mounting.She was just someone insignificant—why should he care?If she died out there, it was none of his concern. She was the one who refused to come back.A faint trace of perfume lingered in the air. The cold wind had all but dispersed it, yet Cassian's expression darkened at once."Who's been in this room? Someone, get in here!"Meanwhile, at the hidden side gate behind Northridge Manor—Nona hurriedly shepherded a stumbling figure out into the night.The woman staggered, arms wrapped protectively around a bundled infant.Mira slept soundly. Perhaps the night air was a little chilly; she burrowed her rosy face deeper into her mother's embrace.Ruby held her daughter close, gentle and careful.She'd been worried Mira might cry and alert the wolf inside the house, but the little girl seemed to sense her mother's anxiety and stayed quiet, not making a sound.Adjusting Mira in her arms, Ruby turned to Nona."Thank you—for everything tonight."Nona was the housekeeper, responsible for keeping the manor spotless.Years ago, Ruby had shown her kindness, so when Ruby returned tonight to fetch her belongings, Nona kept watch for her.So many new faces had come and gone over the years, but Nona had remained steadfast.She'd always thought she'd spend her days quietly working, saving up for retirement, turning a blind eye to the household's secrets. She never imagined that one day, she'd get to repay her old debt to the lady of the house."If you hadn't given me a meal when I was desperate, I wouldn't have survived in this foreign land."Nona dabbed at her reddened eyes. "You've suffered so much, ma'am." She hesitated, then asked, "Are you truly never coming back?"Ruby's gaze dropped; her silence was answer enough."My life before was ruined by him. I want nothing more to do with Cassian, and I'll never let him near Mira."Nona let out a heavy sigh, nodding. "Did you get everything you needed?""I did." Ruby pressed the documents deeper into her bag—her ID, bank cards, passport, and the three hundred thousand she'd earned as a lawyer over the past three years. Just the essentials, and nothing that belonged to Cassian. She'd only taken what was rightfully hers."I have it all, but…" She couldn't help but frown.Just as she'd gathered her things, Cassian had come out of his study. She and Nona barely managed to slip out the window in time.Had she left something behind in her haste? She could only hope Cassian wouldn't notice the small clues. All Ruby wanted now was a quiet life with Mira, free from anyone's interference.Nona seemed to sense her worry, and her nose stung with emotion.She nudged Ruby gently toward the gate, encouraging her to move forward."Don't worry—I'll handle anything that comes up.""After what he did—throwing you in jail with his own hands, so cold and ruthless—even I, an outsider, can't stand to watch it.""Hurry now, ma'am. Take good care of Miss Mira.""And yourself."Ruby looked back, biting her lip. "Nona, I need to ask you—"But Nona already understood. "Don't worry. Tonight, I never saw you." With those words, she closed the little gate and locked it tight.Through the crack, she waved her hand—worn and lined from years of work—her face full of sorrow.After all, it was Cassian who'd hired the best lawyers to send Ruby to prison with his own hands.Someone as cold and heartless as him didn't deserve a wife like her, or a daughter as sweet as little Mira.