Ruby's POVThe darkness seemed like it would swallow me whole, as I could not see anything in front of me or behind me. I was terrified, perhaps because I had not stepped out of my cage for a while.I sighed and glanced around; the road was dark. Mid drive to my condo, I'd told the Uber driver to stop. I wasn't sure I could afford to stay in that silent house, all by myself. I just might run mad. I'd paid the Uber driver and now I stood by the roadside, with four bags and no car in sight.I needed my friends tonight.I'd tried to call Lilac and Ariana, but neither of them were picking up. I couldn't blame them; it was eleven at night. Lilac was an early sleeper, and Ariana would most likely be binge watching New Housewives of New York or some such show on Netflix.The wind blew West, sweeping my hair off my back. I felt like someone would come out of nowhere, and pull me by the hair, so I threw the cap of my hoodie over my head and wrapped my arms around myself.Dominic would surely
Ruby's POVI had one peaceful sleep after some days, and I could say that I slept like a baby, or maybe, like a log of wood. Who knows?It did not matter how I slept, as long as I was able to forget everything that had happened these past few days.Now I was awake, but I felt too lazy to get out of bed. I just wished it was not morning already. I closed my eyes again hoping I could fall asleep again but then came some noise outside my room.Sliding into my slippers, I walked towards the door and pinned my ear against it."Do you think she's okay?" Someone asked. I immediately recognized the voice as Lilac's.A heavy sigh, then Ariana replied. "I don't know, Lilac. She appeared at my front steps yesterday, looking like a bat out of hell. She's sleeping in there right now.""This is why I don't like powerful men like Dominic." Lilac grumbled. "They think they can do anything they like to anyone."I shook my head slowly as I listened to my friends. I knew they were only looking out for m
Dominic’s POVThe past week had been hell for me.I barely left my study, barely ate meals, barely spoke to anyone. My days blurred together. I'd stopped going to the office and moved my work to the house. It was endless hours of staring at my laptop, pretending to work when all I could think about was Ruby. The house was too quiet without her. Too empty.I didn’t even know where Ariel was half the time. Not that she’d come looking for me, after our last conversation.Tonight was no different. I sat at my desk, peering at the screen, but the words meant nothing. My coffee had gone cold beside me. My body ached from sitting too long, but I didn’t move.The door creaked open."I said I don’t want to be disturbed!" I snapped. "I told the house manager that I don't want to be disturbed!""Nice to see you too, Dad."I exhaled slowly and brushed a tired hand against my face. "Ariel, I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else."She stepped inside, balancing a tray in her hands. "I brought yo
Ruby’s POVA day after Dominic came to see me, Ariana, Lilac, and I sat crisscross applesauce on the floor with a giant bowl of popcorn between us. The TV was on, throwing a soft glow around the living room as we watched Pride and Prejudice.Lilac tossed a kernel of popcorn into her mouth and chewed loudly. "So, Ruby, are you ever going back to your condo?"I exhaled and leaned back on my palms. "Eventually," I said. "But right now? No. That house is too big and too quiet. And Dominic could find me there."Ariana patted my thigh. "You can stay here as long as you want."I gave her a small smile. "Thanks."Lilac crunched on another handful of popcorn. "Okay, serious question. Do you really believe Dominic slept with Rosalie?"I gasped and my hand flew to my chest in exaggerated horror. "How dare you!"Lilac snorted. "I mean, think about it. If Dominic didn’t care about proving his innocence, why would he come all the way here to find you?"I scoffed, shaking my head as memories of that
Ruby’s POVTwo hours later, Ariana was snoring softly beside me with her arm thrown across my stomach like a deadweight. I shifted slightly, careful not to wake her, when my phone buzzed on the nightstand.I grabbed it, turned it on and blinked against the brightness. It was a voice note from Dominic.I hovered my fingers over the screen. I could ignore it, pretend I never saw it. But curiosity got the best of me. I tapped play."Ruby… I’m sorry." His voice was familiar but more quiet than I remembered, rough like he hadn’t slept. "I know I messed up, but can we talk? Please."I exhaled through my nose. Just hearing his voice was already loosening all the knots of resolve in my head.Then, in the background, Ariel’s voice chimed in, "Ruby, you should come back. Daddy’s been a grumpy old man since you left. I miss you too."A chuckle slipped out before I could stop it. I typed out a reply. Sure. I’d love to meet. I’ll come by the house tomorrow.Almost immediately, Dominic responded wi
RUBY'S POV"Thank you."I gave the Italian man a smile over the counter, accepting the hot cup of latte. I took a sip, the frothy sweetness coating my tongue, and felt a pang of satisfaction. Nothing like a cup of coffee after a long day at the gym. My mornings were sacred—my time to unwind, to shed the facade of "Mrs. Perfect Wife," and to just exist.As I settled back into my chair, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts, and finally froze on one. My so-called absentee husband.My thumb hovered over his name for a moment too long, debating if I really wanted to ruin this blissful moment. But boredom had been gnawing at me lately.I hit call.The phone rang twice before his voice came through, clipped and impatient. "What do you want, Ruby?""Good morning to you too, darling," I chirped, keeping my voice as sweet as the latte in my hand. "I was just calling to check on you. Is that a crime now?"He sighed. "I'm busy. Can we do this later?"I leaned back in my chair,
RUBY'S POVI sat at the head of the table, facing the window, a single glass of red wine cradled between my fingers. The wait was almost over; I could barely contain my amusement. The silence was thick, broken only by the faint tick of the clock on the wall. No explanations, no theatrics—just a simple dinner.The door opened behind me, and I didn’t even bother to turn. Gabriel’s nervous shuffle was unmistakable, and the hurried clatter of heels behind him told me Julia was with him. My lips curved into a slow smile as they entered the room.They stopped at the table, neither daring to sit. Slowly, I turned.“Don’t be shy,” I cooed. “Take a seat. After all, you’re my guests tonight. You know, since we’re all... acquainted now.”Gabriel slowly took his seat, and Julia followed. “Ruby, I can explain—”“Don’t bother.” I set my glass down on the table, the soft clink silencing him. “I didn’t call you here for an explanation, Gabriel. I caught you red-handed already.”My so-called best frie
RUBY’S POV "YOU DIVORCED GABRIEL?!"Ariana’s voice tore through the pounding bass of the club, loud enough to make the heads of nearby patrons turn. Her bright blue eyes were wide with shock, her curly black hair bouncing as she leaned closer to me.“Yes, I divorced Gabriel,” I shouted back, rolling my eyes as I took a sip of my martini. “I told you this already!”“No, no, no,” Ariana insisted, waving her manicured hand. “You said you were thinking about it. You didn’t say you actually did it! When did this happen?”“Today!” I yelled, the thudding beat of the music forcing us to scream over it. “Oh, my God!” she shrieked, grabbing my arm. “Finally!”Lilac, sitting calmly across the table with her signature poised demeanor, sipped her wine and gave me a knowing smile. Her warm hazel eyes twinkled under the neon lights of the club. "About time, Ruby. I mean, the man was a walking red flag. I’m proud of you for leaving him.”“Thanks, Lilac,” I said, flashing her a grateful smile befor
Ruby’s POVTwo hours later, Ariana was snoring softly beside me with her arm thrown across my stomach like a deadweight. I shifted slightly, careful not to wake her, when my phone buzzed on the nightstand.I grabbed it, turned it on and blinked against the brightness. It was a voice note from Dominic.I hovered my fingers over the screen. I could ignore it, pretend I never saw it. But curiosity got the best of me. I tapped play."Ruby… I’m sorry." His voice was familiar but more quiet than I remembered, rough like he hadn’t slept. "I know I messed up, but can we talk? Please."I exhaled through my nose. Just hearing his voice was already loosening all the knots of resolve in my head.Then, in the background, Ariel’s voice chimed in, "Ruby, you should come back. Daddy’s been a grumpy old man since you left. I miss you too."A chuckle slipped out before I could stop it. I typed out a reply. Sure. I’d love to meet. I’ll come by the house tomorrow.Almost immediately, Dominic responded wi
Ruby’s POVA day after Dominic came to see me, Ariana, Lilac, and I sat crisscross applesauce on the floor with a giant bowl of popcorn between us. The TV was on, throwing a soft glow around the living room as we watched Pride and Prejudice.Lilac tossed a kernel of popcorn into her mouth and chewed loudly. "So, Ruby, are you ever going back to your condo?"I exhaled and leaned back on my palms. "Eventually," I said. "But right now? No. That house is too big and too quiet. And Dominic could find me there."Ariana patted my thigh. "You can stay here as long as you want."I gave her a small smile. "Thanks."Lilac crunched on another handful of popcorn. "Okay, serious question. Do you really believe Dominic slept with Rosalie?"I gasped and my hand flew to my chest in exaggerated horror. "How dare you!"Lilac snorted. "I mean, think about it. If Dominic didn’t care about proving his innocence, why would he come all the way here to find you?"I scoffed, shaking my head as memories of that
Dominic’s POVThe past week had been hell for me.I barely left my study, barely ate meals, barely spoke to anyone. My days blurred together. I'd stopped going to the office and moved my work to the house. It was endless hours of staring at my laptop, pretending to work when all I could think about was Ruby. The house was too quiet without her. Too empty.I didn’t even know where Ariel was half the time. Not that she’d come looking for me, after our last conversation.Tonight was no different. I sat at my desk, peering at the screen, but the words meant nothing. My coffee had gone cold beside me. My body ached from sitting too long, but I didn’t move.The door creaked open."I said I don’t want to be disturbed!" I snapped. "I told the house manager that I don't want to be disturbed!""Nice to see you too, Dad."I exhaled slowly and brushed a tired hand against my face. "Ariel, I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else."She stepped inside, balancing a tray in her hands. "I brought yo
Ruby's POVI had one peaceful sleep after some days, and I could say that I slept like a baby, or maybe, like a log of wood. Who knows?It did not matter how I slept, as long as I was able to forget everything that had happened these past few days.Now I was awake, but I felt too lazy to get out of bed. I just wished it was not morning already. I closed my eyes again hoping I could fall asleep again but then came some noise outside my room.Sliding into my slippers, I walked towards the door and pinned my ear against it."Do you think she's okay?" Someone asked. I immediately recognized the voice as Lilac's.A heavy sigh, then Ariana replied. "I don't know, Lilac. She appeared at my front steps yesterday, looking like a bat out of hell. She's sleeping in there right now.""This is why I don't like powerful men like Dominic." Lilac grumbled. "They think they can do anything they like to anyone."I shook my head slowly as I listened to my friends. I knew they were only looking out for m
Ruby's POVThe darkness seemed like it would swallow me whole, as I could not see anything in front of me or behind me. I was terrified, perhaps because I had not stepped out of my cage for a while.I sighed and glanced around; the road was dark. Mid drive to my condo, I'd told the Uber driver to stop. I wasn't sure I could afford to stay in that silent house, all by myself. I just might run mad. I'd paid the Uber driver and now I stood by the roadside, with four bags and no car in sight.I needed my friends tonight.I'd tried to call Lilac and Ariana, but neither of them were picking up. I couldn't blame them; it was eleven at night. Lilac was an early sleeper, and Ariana would most likely be binge watching New Housewives of New York or some such show on Netflix.The wind blew West, sweeping my hair off my back. I felt like someone would come out of nowhere, and pull me by the hair, so I threw the cap of my hoodie over my head and wrapped my arms around myself.Dominic would surely
Dominic’s POVThe drive home that evening felt longer than usual. Streetlights flashed past in a blur, but my mind was stuck in one place.I kept thinking about Rosalie. In my mind, I saw her smirk and heard her threats. The way she had moved close to me, whispering filth in my ear like she actually thought I wanted it. The way she had suggested sex to me.I had agreed. I had said yes to her, because I wanted to protect Ruby from the truth. But the moment we stepped into that hotel room, I knew I couldn't do it. Not with her or with anyone else. Not when Ruby existed and she was a part of my life now. I had never been attracted to any woman since Ruby came into my life.Rosalie had been livid, as I'd expected. She spat out her threats, said she’d tell Ruby the truth, that I had been lying to her from the start. But I didn’t care. Let her tell Ruby. Let the whole damn world know.Because nothing, no secret or lie, was worse than betraying Ruby like that.I gripped the steering wheel ti
Ruby’s POVThe office felt off that day. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but something wasn’t right.It started when Dominic walked out of his office and called for Rosalie.I barely looked up from my computer when he did it at first, but then Rosalie’s response made my head snap up."Coming, Dominic!" She purred.Dominic?!I turned to him, expecting him to correct her, to tell her to keep it professional. But he didn’t. He didn’t even look at me. He just stood there, staring straight ahead, then turned and walked back into his office. The door closed behind him.I turned to her in surprise. Rosalie smirked, flipping her hair over one shoulder. She stood from her desk, adjusting her blouse like she wanted to make sure she looked perfect before going in.My stomach twisted."What the hell is going on?" I demanded, marching over to her side of the office.Rosalie just chuckled. "Things are changing in this office, Ruby," she said sweetly, grabbing a folder from her desk. "You migh
Dominic’s POVI turned off the ignition and glanced at Ruby. She hadn’t moved or even spoken a word to me. She just sat there, staring out the window like she wasn’t really seeing anything."Talk to me, Ruby."She said nothing."You can’t keep this bottled up," I tried again. "I know you’re hurting."She scoffed, but it was barely audible. I could tell she was hurting. She had been hurting for three days since Julia died. I didn't understand why she still felt so much emotion for a person who ha stabbed her in the back, but I tried to reason with her anyway."I see it," I continued. "You pretend when you’re around others, but I know you. You’re not okay."She shifted slightly but still didn’t meet my eyes."You’ve barely slept," I said. "You don’t eat properly. You look like a ghost of yourself."Her fingers dug into her lap. "Drop it, Dominic.""I’m not dropping it.""Well, I’m not talking."I exhaled sharply. "Julia’s death...."Her head snapped toward me. "Don’t.""You need to let
Ruby’s POVThe smell of coffee pulled me from sleep. I blinked against the morning light and turned to the side to see Dominic sitting beside me. He was eating breakfast in bed. He lifted a forkful of scrambled eggs and grinned."I figured the smell would wake you up," he said. "Thought it’d be a nice way to start your day."I groaned and smacked his arm. "You are a villain in my life!"He chuckled and waved another fork heaped with some bacon close to my mouth. "You want some?"I rolled my eyes and sat up. "I don't like you, Mr Rutherford."Dominic smirked and bit off the bacon. "Are you coming to work today? You know I’d understand if you needed some time off, after everything that happened last night."I didn’t even need to think about it. "No. I'm not staying away from work."He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that, Ruby?""Staying away will give nasty people like Rosalie the chance to talk all kinds of trash about me," I muttered. "And I can't have that."Dominic sighed an