Shattered Masks

"Honey... When did you get this place, and why is it such a mess? Maybe we should call someone to clean up..."

Ruby stumbled back from my push, but she braced herself and tried to act clueless.

I had to stop myself from laughing at her act.

Ignoring her question, I headed straight for the television, flicked it on, and quickly found what I was looking for.

The sounds that filled the room were intimate and cringeworthy.

Ruby, the voice behind those sounds, stood frozen in shock.

"Ahhh!"

She shrieked and scrambled toward the TV, desperately trying to shut it off, to silence the mortifying noise.

When she realized it was no use, she threw her arms out, shielding the screen with her body.

Fear was written all over her face, her voice shaking uncontrollably.

"Honey... Let me explain..."

I grabbed a chair and sat down with a gesture toward the television. "Do we really need an explanation?"

"I..." Ruby's voice faltered, and then tears streamed down her face. "I'm sorry... I messed up, honey...

"Please, just forgive me this once, will you? I swear, it was only this one time!"

I watched her well-rehearsed plea, feeling a sharp sting in my heart.

I had indulged her too much, and she still thought I would forgive her.

"Fine," I said calmly, my expression unreadable, "but from now on, you do as I say."

"I will! I'll do anything you say!" Ruby, relieved, moved closer, her voice urgent.

Just as her hand was about to touch mine, I stood up and stepped aside.

I towered over her, my gaze emotionless. "Now, call Seth. Tell him to come back. And don't let on that I'm here."

Ruby's eyes shot up to mine, filled with utter disbelief.

"Right now," I commanded, my patience with her worn thin. "You'll know what to do later."

Ruby, in a panic, wiped her tears and fumbled for her phone with shaking hands.

As soon as she answered the call, her voice was calm, betraying no sign of the turmoil she had just shown.

She was as convincing as she had ever been in her performances for me.

I realized then that I had never truly known the woman who had been at my side for seven years, with her remarkable talent for deception.

I tapped my phone screen lightly, and within moments, I had set my plan in motion.

Soon, there was a knock at the suite door. Ruby's eyes, filled with questions, turned to me. I nodded for her to answer it.

Behind me, the door opened, and Seth's eager voice mingled with Ruby's soft cries.

"Did that good-for-nothing husband of yours take off? Couldn't wait, could you..."

He froze when he saw me, his embrace around Ruby halting, his taunt cut short.

However, then, he shrugged off the meekness he always showed me and laughed with brazen confidence.

"Never would've pegged you for this, Mr. Scott. A man of your reputation...

"I just don't get you rich folks. Ruby says you're a bore in bed. So this is what gets you going?"

Seth edged closer, his smirk twisted with a sense of triumph.

I balled my fist and let it fly into his face.

"What are you doing?!" Ruby shrieked, lunging for Seth as he hit the floor.

He shoved her off with a snarl, jumped up, and aimed a kick at me.

I did not try to escape, just sidestepped enough to avoid the worst and let myself drop.

Ruby's gaze held a flicker of remorse as she looked at me.

However, Seth was relentless. He yanked her to the bed, tossing her down as he started to undress, all the while giving me a look of sheer disdain.

"You're nothing but trash, acting all high and mighty. You deserve nothing more than to lie there and watch your wife with another man!"

He was ruthlessly ripping at Ruby's clothes, while she seemed torn between resisting and giving in.

In the next instant, the suite's electronic lock clicked open.

I could not help but smirk, a sly grin spreading across my face.