The Billionaires Daring Kitten

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."