Page 224 of My Ruthless Husband

“I just came to make sure you’re all right and to say goodbye,” he says, his voice quieter than usual.

“I’m fine, Matt,” I reply, but my heart aches at the sadness in his eyes.

He nods slowly, a fleeting look of relief crossing his face.

Damian clears his throat, stepping forward with a quiet edge to his voice. “Thank you for offering to help with my father’s case. I appreciate it.”

Matt meets Damian’s gaze, and nods. “It’s the least I can do.”

Damian pulls me closer, his arm wrapping around my waist as he speaks softly but with absolute certainty. “I’ll always keep her happy,” he says, the words meant as a reassurance, an acknowledgment of Matt’s feelings for me.

“You better,” he says, serious. “Or I’ll find you, and deal with you myself.”

I gasp at the threat. Damian arches an eyebrow but says nothing.

Matt takes a cautious step toward me, his eyes locked on mine, uncertain and searching. I stiffen instinctively, bracing for Damian’s wrath.

I half-expect Damian to erupt at any moment. But to my surprise, he doesn’t. He stays silent, his gaze never leaving Matt.

Matt extends his fist toward me in that familiar, playful fist-bump gesture, and a small smile tugs at my lips as I bump mine back. Without missing a beat, he twists his hand, opening it to reveal a handful of brightly wrapped candies. “Sorry, I didn’t have time to get cookies,” he says with a sad smile.

The sweet gesture makes my throat tighten and tears well up in my eyes.

“Thank you, Matt.” I choke out.

He takes a step back, his gaze lingering on me just a little too long. He offers me one last soft smile and says, “Goodbye, River. Be happy… always.” Then he was gone.

I stand there, a lump in my throat, wishing there had been more I could say to my friend, wishing he hadn’t had to leave with his heart still quietly breaking.

Damian leads me back inside, his hand on my back as he gently guides me through the door and closes it behind us with a soft click.

Later than night, Damian turns to me. “So are you ready to fly home tomorrow, Mrs. Montgomery?”

I pretend to ponder for a moment, drawing out the moment. “Hmm, what’s in it for me?” I ask, my tone playful.

He gives me a knowing smirk, stepping closer as he begins to list off everything that awaits me. “Well, for starters, you’ve got your loyal friend and personal bodyguard, Vicky, and her chief, Hal. Then, of course, we have my ever-clingy foster siblings, Summer and Raleigh, who haven’t missed a single day of pestering me while I was trying to win you back these past two weeks, bombarding my phone with ideas.

“And don’t forget their intimidating spouses—Archer and Hannah—who took it upon themselves to not-so-subtly threaten me into treating you right. And...” he pauses for effect, leaning in close enough for me to feel his breath against my skin, “last but definitely not least, there’s me. Your ruthless husband, whowould burn the world to the ground just to make sure you’re safe, happy, and entirely mine.”