Chapter 4

“See that? We're legally husband and wife now. I'm doing you a favor by even showing up today to sit down and talk this out with you.”

Roy tossed the marriage certificate down in front of me.

My brow tightened. I flipped it open, and the woman's photo and personal details on the certificate were mine.

And I could tell it wasn't a fake.

“You stole my documents while I was out and registered this, didn't you.”

My eyes went to Irma, and it clicked at once how the certificate had come about.

I knew Irma and her son had nerve.

But I never thought they'd go this far.

They'd actually stolen my ID to register a marriage?

The ignorant really do fear nothing.

Irma's eyes went wide “Don't say stole, it sounds so ugly. From now on we're family.”

Roy leaned back into the couch “As long as you're smart about it, I won't make things hard on you. But from now on your paycheck gets handed over, and my name goes on the deed to this place too.”

Then he stuck out his hand “Give me the bank card now. A wedding costs plenty.”

I looked at them coldly “Honestly, you two are the most shameless people I've ever met. Your little scheme is not going to work.”

Neither of them felt any shame. If anything they were proud of it, Roy especially, crossing one leg over the other as he said,

“Curse me all you want. With this certificate, once the cops get here, nothing you say will matter. Even if you file for divorce, that goes through the courts, and I can outlast you.”

Irma switched right back to playing nice “But don't you worry, Ruby. As long as you accept your lot and settle down with my son, we won't give you any trouble. Best you hurry up and give me a grandson.”

She paused, then went on all earnest and coaxing, saying a woman ends up married to someone no matter what, and sure, her son Roy was a little ugly, but he was an honest man, and as long as I didn't make a fuss, he'd cherish me and treat me well.

I nearly threw up.

Roy, an honest man?

I wasn't about to swallow that disgusting little speech of theirs.

I drew a deep breath, my eyes turning cold “If you turn yourselves in right now, I can still pretend none of this happened. This is your last chance.”

Roy scoffed at that, and the mask came all the way off “Still won't give it up, huh? Let me put it plainly right here. I want you, and I want your money. We'll see what you've got to say when the cops show up!”

I smiled too “Who told you I called the police?”

The words had barely left me when my phone rang. I answered, and a cold voice came through “Boss, we're here.”

I said just one word “Come in.”

The lock turned, and a group of burly men in suits came storming in……