The grand, luxurious interior of Ryan’s mansion stood in perfect silence—a sharp contrast to the chaos brewing outside.

Kate lounged on the plush cream-colored couch in the living room, her bare feet tucked beneath her, a half-eaten tub of ice cream balancing on her lap.

She had been indulging herself freely since Ryan left for the office earlier that morning.

With no one watching, there was no need to keep up her usual act—no sweet smiles, no fake tears, no calculated pouts.

Just ...