Reese watched Mr. Ratcliff''s hunched figure shuffle away, the steady thump of his cane against the stone floor somehow echoing right in her chest.


    It had been ages since she''d seen him, and she never expected that in just a few days, he''d seem so much older. No wonder Sebastian was so anxious to bring Matthew back.


    She straightened her expression and followed Mr. Ratcliff into the foyer, bracing herself for a lecture about the investigation.


    But instead, Mr. Ratcliff just said, "Reese, I heard about what happened with the Bureau. It''s not your fault. Don''t trouble yourself over it." He even gave her a reassuring smile before turning to Sebastian and Matthew. "You two,e with me to the study."


    That left Reese alone in the huge living room. She settled onto the sofa, and before long, a housekeeper brought out a tray of fruit and pastries. She hadn''t eaten much at dinner, and now that the tension was wearing off, she absentmindedly picked at the snacks.


    She didn''t even see Janee in until she heard a sharp, cold huff.


    Jane had finally managed to get a fussy Robbie to sleep and walked into the living room, only to spot Reese lounging on the sofa. The memory of getting embarrassed in front of that bastard earlier thanks to Reese-still stung, and Jane''s annoyance bubbled right back up.


    "You have no manners at all," Jane snapped. "No wonder you got taken away and questioned by the authorities.


    "Do you have any idea how much trouble you almost caused Ratcliff Global?


    "Thank God nobody outside knows about you and Sebastian. Otherwise, this would have been a total disaster. No wonder Robbie doesn''t like you."


    Reese looked up, her eyes cool and edged with sarcasm. "Isn''t that because you taught him not to get close to me?


    "And as for my manners, well, you''re my mother-inw. If I''m not good enough, maybe you should be looking at yourself."


    Jane''s expression froze, like she couldn''t believe Reese would talk back like that. "Just what I''d expect from someone without a proper upbringing."


    "If you hadn''t been pregnant with Robbie, you''d have never been good enough to marry Sebastian. And now you dare talk back to me?"


    gethe


    "Yet here I am, married all the same," Reese said, not even bothering to look at her She''d spent years swallowing her pride, trying to perfect Mrs. Ratcliff, hoping for Jane''s approval and the family''s eptance.


    But after all this time, Jane''s attitude had only gotten worse. Even Robbie, under her influence, treated Reese with nothing but contempt.


    Reese was just done.


    "If you''re so unhappy with me, maybe you should convince your son to divorce me. Would make my life a whole lot easier."


    Jane''s chest heaved in anger and she looked ready to explode. But before she


    could say anything, an old, gravelly voice cut in. "Is this really how a mother-inw should act?"


    "Dad, it''s Reese''s attitude..." Jane


    started, startled, turning to see Matthew wand Sebastian on either


    side of Mr. Ratcliff as he came in.


    The tension between the three men seemed to have faded, like they''d finally worked something out.


    Jane tried to argue, but Mr. Ratcliff shut her down. "Instead of hoping your son''s family gets along, all you do is pick on your daughter-inw.


    "Reese has been part of this family for years, and you''ve made things hard for her every single day. What more do you want from her?"


    Reese''s heart skipped a beat. She had no idea if they''d overheard her suggesting Jane should push Sebastian for a divorce.


    But Sebastian''s eyes lingered on her, a faint, almost amused smile on his lips. He didn''t seem mad at all. If anything, he looked intrigued by this new, sharper side of her.


    After scolding Jane, Mr. Ratcliff let out a couple of coughs. "It''s rare to have everyone home. Why not stay the night?"


    Matthew shook his head. "No, thanks. Annie''s home alone, and I''d rather get back to her."


    Reese nced upstairs. The only suite here was the one she and Sebastian shared. If she stayed she''d have to sleep right next t Sebastian and put up with Jane''s attitude for the rest of the night.