Page 33 of My Ruthless Husband

“Good morning. Please call me River.” I approach the kitchen counter.

“You must be hungry, Mrs. Montgomery.” She smiles before continuing to wipe the counter. My eyebrows lift slightly. She completely disregarded my request to be on the first name basis. I suppose it’s because of Damian.

The staff before were not this strict. I had a little solace thinking I had someone to talk to in his absence. Now he took that away from me as well. He wants me alone and miserable.

“I was looking for my handbag and a duffle bag. Did you see them anywhere?”

“No, I’m afraid not. What would you like to eat?”

I need to talk to Summer first. And for that I need my phone which is inside the handbag. “I’m not hungry—”

“Ma’am you must eat something. Mr. Montgomery’s orders.”

I clench my teeth. “Well, I don’t follow his orders.”

“But we do.” A deep voice interrupts. I whirl around to see Hal striding toward me. He is wearing a black suit with a white shirt and black tie. His dark blond hair is short on the sides and thick on top and styled perfectly as usual.

“Any problem?” he asks Edith.

“Mrs. Montgomery refuses to eat.”

“Why?”

“She needs her bags—”

I raise a hand stopping her. My voice, sharp and assertive, slices through the air as I address them both. “Don’t talk about me as if I’m not here. I won’t allow you both to disrespect me like that.”

Edith pales and Hal raises his eyebrows, a glimmer of surprise as well as something close to respect shines in his eyes. Edith apologizes profusely while Hal keeps regarding me silently. Then a minute later, he says, “Your bags are in his home office.”

I tense. “Why? I need my things.” My phone. Not to mention my passport and some valuables.

“If you want your bags, you should ask Mr. Montgomery himself.”

I don’t want to face him right now. Not before talking to Summer. I need my best friend. “I’m asking you. Answer me why he has my bags.”

“To avoid unnecessary conflicts.”

“What does that mean?”

He doesn’t answer. He doesn’t have to. Damian has my phone because he doesn’t want me to reach out the outside world.

“I need my belongings. Right now.”

He examines me as if I’ve grown another head. Well, before this, I never talked back to anyone, much less Damian’s security chief.

“I can’t go against his orders. Talk to him if you have a problem.”

I shake my head. “You do know this is wrong, right? I’m not a prisoner here.”

But you are. His silence says.

I fist my fingers. “Where is he?”

“He left for an important meeting few minutes ago. I’ll notify you when he’s back.”

“Why are you here if he’s not?”

He is silent again.

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