chapter 4

Ruby’s POV

I hadn’t expected things to move this fast.

Richard Harlow was a fool. He was the kind of man who craved attention like a hungry dog. He had a wife, children and an empire to protect, but none of that mattered the second I walked into his life. He was weak enough to fall for any woman who made him feel wanted, so I used that weakness against him.

Two weeks. That was all it took.

Every night after work, I met him in his private suite, playing the role of the devoted lover. I let him believe he was my entire world, that I adored him and that I couldn’t live without him. It disgusted me, touching and sleeping with the man who had destroyed my family, but it was necessary. He needed to trust me completely before I made my move.

He was obsessed with me now. Even at work, he couldn’t go a day without calling me into his office, finding an excuse to keep me close. A man in his fifties acting like a lovesick fool. I had him exactly where I wanted him.

And then I pushed for more.

“We can’t keep sneaking around like this,” I murmured as I rested my head against his chest one night. “I don’t want to be your dirty little secret.”

I could feel him tensing under me. “You know I can’t just announce you to the world.”

I lifted my head, staring into his eyes. “If you truly love me, why are you still married to her?”

Richard Harlow looked away from me; he was hesitant. This was the time to strike.

I sat up and plastered a fake disappointed look on my face. “Maybe I should leave,” I whispered, reaching for my dress.

He caught my wrist. “No, don’t leave."

“I can’t keep doing this, Richard.” I looked away as if I were heartbroken. “If you don’t want me enough to make this official, then maybe I should walk away now before it’s too late.”

He tried to pull me back. “You know I want you.”

“Then prove it.”

That night, he didn’t touch me. I made sure of it. I refused him access to my body, letting him stew in his own desperation. And it worked. The next evening, he broke.

“Marry me!” he blurted out, his fingers digging into my hips as if he was afraid I would disappear.

I pretended to be surprised. “What?”

“Let’s get married tonight.”

I hadn’t expected him to crack so soon, but I hid my satisfaction behind a stunned expression. “Richard, I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes!” he urged. “We’ll get married now, legally. Then I’ll finalize the divorce to my wife.”

I waited just long enough to make him sweat, before nodding. “Okay, let’s do it.”

And just like that, I became Mrs. Richard Harlow.

He took me to a mansion that was meant to be my new home. But the moment I stepped inside, I knew I couldn't live here.

This was my father’s house. This was the house my family had been killed in.

I stood at the entrance, staring at the house vengefully. He had taken everything away from me, and now he was handing it back to me as if it were some gift.

I turned away before Richard Harlow could see the tears in my eyes.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

I forced a smile. “Nothing. Something just got in my eye.”

He tried to pull me close but I stepped back. “I can’t stay here yet. It’s too overwhelming.”

He frowned. “Where will you stay then?”

“With you,” I answered. “In your home. Can we arrange that?”

Richard let out a frustrated grunt. I knew his family was still there. He knew bringing me in would set off a storm, but I was already winning.

“I need to be with you,” I whispered, pressing a hand to his chest. “If you love me, prove it.”

And he did prove it. The next day, Richard Harlow took me to his family's house.

As we entered the dining hall, Richard's family was gathered around the table, having their dinner. Jason was there with his mother, his sister and his younger brother.

I stopped in the doorway and stared at them. Jason sat there, stuffing his face with food. Little did he know that the young girl he subjected to that fate ten years ago was back as a vengeful woman.

He chewed like he didn't have a single care in the world, like he hadn’t destroyed me, like he hadn’t abandoned me when I needed him most.

Heat filled my body. My fingers itched to pull out one of the tiny knives I kept in my dress and use it to gouge his eyes out. I wanted to wipe that indifferent look off his face.

Not yet.

“Everyone, I have an announcement!” Richard bellowed.

Their heads turned toward us. Richard's wife’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “Welcome, darling. Who is she?”

Jason swallowed his food and finally glanced up. Our eyes met and I knew for a fact that he didn't recognize me at all. The touch-ups I'd done to my face over the years actually worked.

Richard pulled me close and smiled. “This right here is my new wife.” He turned to his children. “And she is your new stepmother.”

"WHAT?" His wife screamed. Before I could sense what was happening, the woman sprang up and raised a hand to slap me across the face.