Chapter 19

Ruby laughed sarcastically, holding back the hurt feelings that continued to gnaw at her. “No, right? You paid me for this, Nico,” she said bitterly. “I’m just doing my job. But if you never want to touch me, how can I fulfill my role? Have you forgotten that your mother always wished for you to have offspring?”

Nicolas clenched his fists, trying to keep himself from exploding. “Ruby, stop acting like a jealous wife,” he snapped. “You know your role here. You’re paid to pretend, not to meddle in my personal affairs.”

Ruby gave him a hurt look, even though she was trying hard to mask her emotions. “Pretend, huh?” she murmured, her voice trembling. “But you didn’t even give me a chance to pretend completely. You never even touched me, Nicolas. Then how could Mother Maria expect me to get pregnant and have a child from you?”

Nicolas let out a long sigh, turning his face away. “Don’t count on me to fulfill my mother’s ambitions,” he said flatly. “You know why you’re he