Married to the Hidden Ceo

"Ruth! Are you deaf? The stew's burning again!"The voice hit her like a whip. Ruth jerked back from the pot, coughing as smoke curled upward. She quickly turned down the gas, fanning the steam with her apron. Sweat clung to her forehead from the heat of the cramped kitchen, and her hands shook as she stirred the pot desperately.Footsteps clacked against the tiles. Clara appeared in the doorway, arms crossed, heels sharp against the floor. Her lips, painted a glossy red, curved into a cruel smirk."Honestly, Ruth," she said in mock disbelief. "Can't you even boil stew without burning it? How useless can you be?"Ruth swallowed, her eyes fixed on the pot. "I… I'm sorry."Clara stepped closer, her perfume filling the room—sweet, expensive, suffocating. She leaned casually against the counter, her manicured nails tapping lightly. "Sorry doesn't make it edible," she teased, voice dripping with condescension. "Good thing I won't be eating this trash tonight anyway."Ruth frowned faintly. "Why not?"Clara's grin widened. "Because," she drawled, tossing her hair dramatically over her shoulder, "I have a date tonight. With Leonardo Romano. Yes, that Leonardo Romano. CEO of CloudTech, richest man in the city, future love of my life."Ruth froze, blinking. She'd heard of Leonardo Romano before. Who hadn't? His face was splashed across magazines and TV—a man of obscene wealth and ruthless ambition. But Clara? Dating him?Before Ruth could speak, their stepmother swept in, her bangles jingling. "Clara, darling, are you talking about Leonardo again?" Mrs. Williams asked, beaming."Of course!" Clara preened. "He invited me out. Can you believe it?"Mrs. Williams clasped her hands together like a woman in prayer. "Oh, sweet heavens! When you marry him, Clara, our lives will change forever!"At the dining table in the next room, Mr. Williams folded down his newspaper, finally paying attention. His voice boomed out, deep and approving. "Clara, my jewel! If you marry that man, I'll finally get my promotion. Maybe even a new car!"Clara smirked proudly. "Don't worry, Daddy. Once I become Mrs. Romano, you'll have more than just a new car. You'll have status."Mrs. Williams shot Ruth a sharp look. "Unlike some people who've given this family nothing."The jab hit its mark. Ruth felt her chest tighten as if invisible fingers squeezed her lungs. She lowered her head, staring at her worn slippers.Clara leaned against the counter, her voice deliberately loud enough to echo. "Don't worry, Ruth," she said sweetly, mock pity lacing her tone. "When I move into my mansion, I might even send you my old clothes. You can't say I don't care about you."Their laughter—Clara's high-pitched giggle, Mrs. Williams's throaty chuckle—bounced off the walls.Ruth stirred the stew silently, her cheeks burning. She wanted to vanish, to sink into the floor and disappear.---When the food was ready, she carried it out to the table. Her hands trembled slightly, but she didn't spill. She placed the dishes neatly in front of them—beef stew, rice, vegetables—while Clara scrolled through her phone."Leonardo just texted me!" Clara squealed suddenly. "He said he's sending his driver for me tonight. Oh, my God!"Mrs. Williams clapped in delight. "Our little princess, marrying a CEO!"Mr. Williams chuckled. "And to think some people said raising another man's child was bad luck." His gaze shifted to Ruth like a blade twisting in a wound.Ruth froze mid-step, the tray trembling in her hands.Clara snorted. "Daddy, don't bring up depressing topics. We're celebrating!"---They dug into their food. Ruth stayed in the corner, watching them quietly, her own stomach empty."Clara, darling," Mr. Williams said through a mouthful of rice, "if you marry Leonardo, I swear I'll retire early. Just imagine—your father-in-law, a man of prestige!"Clara laughed. "Of course, Daddy. Once I'm Mrs. Romano, you'll never have to worry about money again."Mrs. Williams sighed dreamily. "You'll wear diamonds every day. Live in mansions.""Maybe I'll even hire Ruth," Clara teased between bites. "She's already good at serving people. What do you think, Daddy? She can be my maid."The table erupted in laughter.Ruth's fists clenched around her apron."Good idea!" Mr. Williams said cheerfully, not realizing—or caring—how each word stabbed her deeper. "At least then she'd finally earn her keep!"Ruth stared down at the floor, blinking rapidly to hold back tears. Her chest felt heavy.---After dinner, Ruth retreated to the kitchen, cleaning in silence. Their voices floated in from the sitting room—Clara boasting about her future wedding, Mrs. Williams daydreaming aloud, Mr. Williams laughing like he hadn't laughed in years.No one noticed Ruth slip upstairs.In her small room, she sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the peeling wallpaper. Her fingers twisted together in her lap, her heart aching in a familiar, hollow way.She whispered softly, almost to herself, "Am I not family?"No answer came.---Downstairs, Clara twirled in front of the mirror, practicing her smile. She pressed her phone to her ear, calling Leonardo for the fifth time that night."Pick up," she murmured sweetly. "Come on, baby…"But the line rang and rang.She pouted. "Why isn't he answering?"Mrs. Williams waved it off. "Don't worry, darling. He's busy. Tomorrow, we'll visit his parents. We'll make it official."Clara's smile returned. "Yes. Tomorrow, I'll be engaged to the richest man in the city!"She twirled again, laughing, her voice bright and cruel as it floated upstairs.---In her room, Ruth lay awake in the dark, staring at the ceiling. The laughter echoed faintly from below, sharp and distant.She closed her eyes tightly, willing herself not to cry.