I knew my father too well. Whether it was James or Steve, as long as the company’s cash flow could be secured, he was easy to placate. Who I married or whose child I carried was irrelevant to him. As expected, when I turned back, I noticed his stern expression had softened. After all, Steve’s connections and influence far surpassed James’. Sure enough, he cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "James, you see, this is a complicated family matter, and it’s hard for me to intervene. Plus, with Ruby pregnant, we wouldn’t want her to get stressed and harm the baby." James’ face turned even darker at those words. His attitude shifted sharply, his voice cold and threatening. "I said, go to the hospital and get rid of it!" Then he glared at my father. "Mr. Warren, think carefully. Are you ready to lose my financial support?" Before anyone could respond, the sudden ringing of my phone cut through the tension. I had barely answered the call when James snatched the phone f
Hearing my father’s words, Lisa’s eyes lit up instantly. She put on her usual pitiful act, walking up to James and gently tugging at his sleeve, her voice soft and teary. "James, if Ruby doesn’t want to, then let’s not force her." To my surprise, her usual manipulative words inadvertently helped me for once. Just as I was feeling smug about it, James suddenly snapped like a man gone mad. "Get lost!" he roared, roughly shaking off Lisa’s hand. Caught off guard, she stumbled backward, slipping and falling awkwardly to the floor. I couldn’t hold back a laugh, the sound escaping before I could stop it. Lisa’s eyes immediately reddened, and tears began streaming down her face. "James, did you push me? Are you really pushing me away for her?" She sobbed dramatically, resembling a fragile rose battered by a storm.James, clearly embarrassed by her public meltdown, reluctantly pulled her to her feet, his tone sharp and impatient. "Lisa, be reasonable! Stop making things wor
After giving my statement, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky. I stood under the overhang, feeling as if everything around me was surreal. Steve’s car pulled up once again, stopping in front of me. He rolled down the window and gestured for me to come over. I smiled faintly and got into the car. This time, he took me to his home. Steve’s house was easily twice the size of James’, but the decor was stark and devoid of any warmth. He sat on the sofa, pulling out a pack of cigarettes, but after a moment of hesitation, he tossed them into the trash without lighting one. I sat next to him, trying to appear calm, though I couldn’t bring myself to speak first. The silence stretched between us, heavy and tense. Finally, he broke it, asking cautiously, "Are you… pregnant?" I nodded uncertainly, bitterness welling up in my chest. I didn’t dare guess how Steve would react to the news. Would he want the child gone, just as James had said? My palms grew damp with swe
The next time I saw James was on the day of my wedding to Steve. Having lost all hope, Lisa turned on James and reported him for assault. He spent a couple of weeks in jail and now looked completely disheveled. He sat outside the banquet hall, slumped in defeat, his face covered in stubble. The ground around his feet was littered with cigarette butts, evidence of how long he had been sitting there. I had no idea how long he’d been waiting or what he wanted, but if I could, I would’ve chosen to never see him again. Yet, he blocked my path. "Ruby, let’s get married. This wedding gown is custom-made. It cost a fortune. Let me make it up to you, okay?" He held up a pristine designer wedding gown, looking at me with desperate eyes. I stepped back, putting some distance between us. "I’m already married," I said calmly, holding up my hand to show off the sparkling diamond on my ring finger, flashing him a bright smile. He froze, stunned. "But you’ve only known him a short
Lisa Shaw's depression flared up again. At this moment, she was trembling in the arms of my fiancé, James Cook, right in front of me. "James, can you not get married, please?" she pleaded. James froze for a moment before pulling her closer, his eyes full of tenderness. "Alright, we’ll do whatever you want." A sharp pain stabbed my chest as I clenched my fists, my knuckles turning white from the pressure. I had lost count of how many times he had crossed the line. Lisa and James had been childhood friends. During an elevator accident, she pushed him to safety. After being rescued, she was diagnosed with depression. When I was bedridden with a fever, she had a hysterical breakdown, threatening to take her own life. During our anniversary, she claimed she was too scared to be alone. When I sprained my ankle going downstairs, she had recurring nightmares. Every single time, when I needed James by my side, Lisa managed to pull him away. I understood the bond they shared
My eyes burned with rage as I watched the video. Lisa, pretending to be considerate, said softly, "James, you cut up the wedding gown for me. Won’t she be angry?" "Don’t worry about it. As long as you’re happy, nothing else matters.”The video cut off abruptly. I leaned against the door, numb and motionless. I didn’t know how much time had passed when the door finally opened. James stood there, a cigarette between his lips, looking down at me with indifference. "Ruby, I’ll buy you a new wedding gown," he said flatly. I couldn’t suppress my fury any longer. With all my strength, I slapped him across the face. "I don’t want anything from you!" I shouted. "James, this is the end for us!" I shoved past him, tears blurring my vision as I stared at the mess strewn across the floor. After packing everything, I ignored them both and walked straight out the door. Behind me, Lisa’s shrill, mocking tone rang out. "James, are you okay? Ruby was just acting out of impulse. Don’t
I froze for a moment, completely at a loss for words. This man was insane.Shaking my head, I instinctively rejected him outright."Please don’t joke with me."Steve didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he leaned in slowly, closing the distance between us. His gaze was piercing as his fingers brushed against my arm, stopping at my wrist and gently caressing it."I’m not that free to be joking around," he murmured in a low voice, his breath warm against my ear. His lips curved into a faint smile."After all, marrying me would only benefit you. Not only would it silence your family, but I could also help keep your father’s company afloat. So, Ruby, what do you think? Care to consider it?"The warmth of his breath and the tingling sensation that followed made me close my eyes and turn my head away. My heart raced uncontrollably at that moment."No, it’s not appropriate," I stammered, unable to meet his gaze. My head hung low as I waved my hands dismissively.Noticing my reaction, Steve lo
The events of last night remained vivid in my mind. Thinking back now, it all felt absurdly ridiculous. We were both adults, and I knew better than to believe Steve would ever get involved with his nephew’s ex-fiancée. His flirting was likely nothing more than a whim. Pushing the discomfort aside, I forced myself out of bed. My phone displayed dozens of missed calls from James. Without a flicker of emotion, I blocked his number. After quickly tidying up, I grabbed my suitcase and opened the door. However, what greeted me was James’ dark, stormy expression. Before I could react, he shoved me aside and barged into the room. "Are you out of your mind?" Rubbing my aching shoulder, I barely had a moment to recover before James stormed back, grabbing me by the collar. His bloodshot eyes burned with fury as he growled, "Where is he?" "Who?" I asked, confused. "Don’t play dumb! My friend saw you come here with another man!" I froze for a second before realizing what had
The next time I saw James was on the day of my wedding to Steve. Having lost all hope, Lisa turned on James and reported him for assault. He spent a couple of weeks in jail and now looked completely disheveled. He sat outside the banquet hall, slumped in defeat, his face covered in stubble. The ground around his feet was littered with cigarette butts, evidence of how long he had been sitting there. I had no idea how long he’d been waiting or what he wanted, but if I could, I would’ve chosen to never see him again. Yet, he blocked my path. "Ruby, let’s get married. This wedding gown is custom-made. It cost a fortune. Let me make it up to you, okay?" He held up a pristine designer wedding gown, looking at me with desperate eyes. I stepped back, putting some distance between us. "I’m already married," I said calmly, holding up my hand to show off the sparkling diamond on my ring finger, flashing him a bright smile. He froze, stunned. "But you’ve only known him a short
After giving my statement, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky. I stood under the overhang, feeling as if everything around me was surreal. Steve’s car pulled up once again, stopping in front of me. He rolled down the window and gestured for me to come over. I smiled faintly and got into the car. This time, he took me to his home. Steve’s house was easily twice the size of James’, but the decor was stark and devoid of any warmth. He sat on the sofa, pulling out a pack of cigarettes, but after a moment of hesitation, he tossed them into the trash without lighting one. I sat next to him, trying to appear calm, though I couldn’t bring myself to speak first. The silence stretched between us, heavy and tense. Finally, he broke it, asking cautiously, "Are you… pregnant?" I nodded uncertainly, bitterness welling up in my chest. I didn’t dare guess how Steve would react to the news. Would he want the child gone, just as James had said? My palms grew damp with swe
Hearing my father’s words, Lisa’s eyes lit up instantly. She put on her usual pitiful act, walking up to James and gently tugging at his sleeve, her voice soft and teary. "James, if Ruby doesn’t want to, then let’s not force her." To my surprise, her usual manipulative words inadvertently helped me for once. Just as I was feeling smug about it, James suddenly snapped like a man gone mad. "Get lost!" he roared, roughly shaking off Lisa’s hand. Caught off guard, she stumbled backward, slipping and falling awkwardly to the floor. I couldn’t hold back a laugh, the sound escaping before I could stop it. Lisa’s eyes immediately reddened, and tears began streaming down her face. "James, did you push me? Are you really pushing me away for her?" She sobbed dramatically, resembling a fragile rose battered by a storm.James, clearly embarrassed by her public meltdown, reluctantly pulled her to her feet, his tone sharp and impatient. "Lisa, be reasonable! Stop making things wor
I knew my father too well. Whether it was James or Steve, as long as the company’s cash flow could be secured, he was easy to placate. Who I married or whose child I carried was irrelevant to him. As expected, when I turned back, I noticed his stern expression had softened. After all, Steve’s connections and influence far surpassed James’. Sure enough, he cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "James, you see, this is a complicated family matter, and it’s hard for me to intervene. Plus, with Ruby pregnant, we wouldn’t want her to get stressed and harm the baby." James’ face turned even darker at those words. His attitude shifted sharply, his voice cold and threatening. "I said, go to the hospital and get rid of it!" Then he glared at my father. "Mr. Warren, think carefully. Are you ready to lose my financial support?" Before anyone could respond, the sudden ringing of my phone cut through the tension. I had barely answered the call when James snatched the phone f
Since returning home, I’d been feeling unusually lethargic. Even the foods I used to love now filled me with inexplicable aversion. A sinking feeling crept over me. Could it really be… from that one time? Before I could get to the hospital for a proper checkup, James showed up again, like a ghost haunting me. What I didn’t expect was for him to take the matter straight to my father. He wasn’t alone. Lisa was with him, clinging to him like a piece of gum that wouldn’t come off. She chimed in now and then, throwing in little remarks to stir the pot. My father sat on the sofa with a dark expression. As soon as I stepped through the door, he barked in a sharp tone, "Ruby! I heard you cheated on James!" Ignoring him, I took off my shoes and walked straight toward my room. Lisa, ever the actress, sat beside my father with a look of feigned understanding. "Mr. Warren, don’t be angry. I’m sure Ruby just made a rash mistake." I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at her.
James’ expression froze instantly, as if struck by lightning. He stood there, rooted to the spot. "W-what did you just say? Stop joking, Uncle. What’s the point of a prank like this?" Steve let out a derisive laugh, his demeanor calm as he pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to James. "Make sure to attend the wedding," he said smoothly, his tone composed but laced with cold amusement. I glanced at the envelope and realized it was an exquisitely designed wedding invitation. James stared blankly at the neatly printed words on the invitation, his hands trembling as veins bulged along his knuckles. "Uncle… are you serious?" Steve shrugged, the corner of his mouth curling into an even colder smile. "Do I look like I have time to joke around?" Whatever composure James had left snapped, and he grabbed Steve by the collar, swearing loudly. "Steve, are you out of your mind? Of all the women you could marry, why Ruby? You know she was my fiancée!" He raised his f
The events of last night remained vivid in my mind. Thinking back now, it all felt absurdly ridiculous. We were both adults, and I knew better than to believe Steve would ever get involved with his nephew’s ex-fiancée. His flirting was likely nothing more than a whim. Pushing the discomfort aside, I forced myself out of bed. My phone displayed dozens of missed calls from James. Without a flicker of emotion, I blocked his number. After quickly tidying up, I grabbed my suitcase and opened the door. However, what greeted me was James’ dark, stormy expression. Before I could react, he shoved me aside and barged into the room. "Are you out of your mind?" Rubbing my aching shoulder, I barely had a moment to recover before James stormed back, grabbing me by the collar. His bloodshot eyes burned with fury as he growled, "Where is he?" "Who?" I asked, confused. "Don’t play dumb! My friend saw you come here with another man!" I froze for a second before realizing what had
I froze for a moment, completely at a loss for words. This man was insane.Shaking my head, I instinctively rejected him outright."Please don’t joke with me."Steve didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he leaned in slowly, closing the distance between us. His gaze was piercing as his fingers brushed against my arm, stopping at my wrist and gently caressing it."I’m not that free to be joking around," he murmured in a low voice, his breath warm against my ear. His lips curved into a faint smile."After all, marrying me would only benefit you. Not only would it silence your family, but I could also help keep your father’s company afloat. So, Ruby, what do you think? Care to consider it?"The warmth of his breath and the tingling sensation that followed made me close my eyes and turn my head away. My heart raced uncontrollably at that moment."No, it’s not appropriate," I stammered, unable to meet his gaze. My head hung low as I waved my hands dismissively.Noticing my reaction, Steve lo
My eyes burned with rage as I watched the video. Lisa, pretending to be considerate, said softly, "James, you cut up the wedding gown for me. Won’t she be angry?" "Don’t worry about it. As long as you’re happy, nothing else matters.”The video cut off abruptly. I leaned against the door, numb and motionless. I didn’t know how much time had passed when the door finally opened. James stood there, a cigarette between his lips, looking down at me with indifference. "Ruby, I’ll buy you a new wedding gown," he said flatly. I couldn’t suppress my fury any longer. With all my strength, I slapped him across the face. "I don’t want anything from you!" I shouted. "James, this is the end for us!" I shoved past him, tears blurring my vision as I stared at the mess strewn across the floor. After packing everything, I ignored them both and walked straight out the door. Behind me, Lisa’s shrill, mocking tone rang out. "James, are you okay? Ruby was just acting out of impulse. Don’t