Eduardo stood up, taking the bag from Ruby. "Thank you so much." Before she could process what was happening, a voice rang out from behind her. "Yeah, we should really thank you." Something about the voice sent a chill through her spine. It was familiar. Too familiar. She turned sharply and gasped in surprise. Selena. Her stepsister stood there, dressed in a fitted black dress, her lips curved into a smirk. "Selena?" Ruby’s voice came out in a whisper. "What are you doing here?" Selena tilted her head slightly before walking over to Eduardo. And then.... They kissed. Right in front of her. Ruby’s world shattered. She couldn’t breathe. Her limbs went numb. She stared as Eduardo wrapped his arms around Selena, pulling her close, kissing her passionately. Like it was natural. Like they had done it before. Ruby took a step back, her voice barely audible. "Eduardo…?" He turned to her, his smile widening. "Finally. I knew you’d get the money for me, or shoul
The first thing Ruby felt when she opened her eyes was a cold rush of panic. Her hands were restrained....tied tightly to the bedposts with thick ropes that bit into her wrists. The dim lighting in the unfamiliar room sent a chill down her spine. She blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to her surroundings, but nothing made sense. Her dress… It had been changed. She was no longer in her clothes. Instead, she wore a long, flowing red gown, its silky fabric clinging to her body. The high slit ran dangerously close to her waistline, exposing more of her skin than she was comfortable with. Her face felt heavier too. Someone had redone her makeup—her lips painted a deep shade of crimson, her eyes lined in dark kohl. It wasn’t her. It was someone else’s version of her. She gasped. She pulled at the restraints, struggling against the ropes that bound her. The rough fibers burned against her skin, but she didn’t care. She needed to get out of there. Then, she noticed him. A man. He
The old man’s smile never wavered as he studied Ruby, his dark gaze filled with twisted amusement. “That,” he said, tilting his head, “was the wrong thing to say, darling. To prove how much I love you, I’m giving you a single chance,” he continued. “Apart from your freedom, you may ask for anything. Anything at all, and I promise you shall have it.” She clenched her jaw, her body trembling with suppressed rage. “I don’t want anything from you,” she hissed, her voice firm despite her helpless state. “The only thing I want is to be as far away from you as possible.” The man’s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “And if I can’t have that,” she continued, swallowing the lump in her throat, “I’d rather end my own life than be tied to you.” The room fell into a suffocating silence. Then, slowly, the man rose from his chair and walked toward the bed. Ruby gasped as he loomed over her, his presence suffocating. “You are mistaken,” he said in a calm, measur
Hector sat in the back seat, his gaze fixed on the road ahead as his underling maneuvered the car through the streets. His heart pounded—not from fear, but from the raw, unfiltered rage that had consumed him for years.He would finally come face to face with the man who had taken everything from him. Don Gray. The name alone was enough to make his blood boil. Beside him, his stepsister, Tara reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. Her presence was a silent reminder that he wasn’t alone in this. "Everything is going to go according to plan," she reassured him. Hector let out a humorless chuckle. His jaw clenched as he stared ahead, eyes cold as steel. "It doesn't matter," he murmured. "Even if things don’t go according to plan, as long as I get him, I will be content." Behind them, a convoy of vehicles followed in tight formation. Every single one of them was filled with men.... his men. Armed and ready for war. This was not just a mission. It was a reckoning. Th
Hector began to approach Ruby, slowly, until he was barely a foot away from her. His eyes raked over her naked form, and he bit his lip as the sight of her gave him an erection. He cursed under his breath and wanted to pick up her dress on the floor, to cover her up. However, she threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest as her hands went around his neck. He cursed under his breath as desire surged through him. It had been years since he had gotten laid. Lifting her face, Ruby stood on her tippy toes and kissed him, her lips warm, soft and yet demanding. His hand went around her neck and he kissed her back before pulling away He gripped her hair tightly, forcing her head back as he turned her toward Don Gray. Ruby moaned, her desire for a man and the pain in her scalp both affecting her at the same time. She could hear Hector's voice and understood his words as well, but she could not help herself. “What would you do if I fucked your bitch right before
Cold water splashed onto Ruby’s face. She gasped, her eyes snapping open. The sharp sting of reality hit her before she even had a chance to process what was happening. Her body jerked instinctively, trying to push herself up. CRACK! A sharp pain shot through her skull as she struck her head against something solid. She cried out, clutching her forehead as her vision swam. As she blinked away the dizziness, her surroundings came into focus. Iron bars. A cage. Panic seized her chest as she scrambled back, her heart pounding. Her wide eyes lifted to see a woman standing in front of her, arms crossed, watching her with an unreadable expression. The woman had fiery red hair, a dangerous glint in her eyes, and guns strapped to both sides of her waist. Ruby swallowed hard. At the far end of the room sat a man, his legs crossed in a relaxed posture. His face showed nothing but amusement, yet there was something about him.... something detached and dangerous. Her g
Hearing Ruby’s voice again, Hector’s expression darkened. He turned sharply toward Tara, his voice clipped. “Get the whip.” The air in the room became filled with tension. Ruby’s pulse spiked as she instinctively stepped back. “Listen,” she said quickly, desperation creeping into her voice. “I am... I’m not the one you’re thinking of. My name is Ruby and this old man......” Hector’s gaze was cold and unwavering. “For every word you spew out of your mouth,” he warned, “you will receive a stroke of the whip.” As the words left his lips, Tara went close with a long black whip coiled tightly in her hands. Ruby’s breath hitched at the sight of it. No. No, no, no… “Please,” she whispered. Then louder, “Just listen to what I have to say! I promise, after that, I won’t speak again!” Hector didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he studied her, his silence stretching into something unbearable. Then... “This is your last chance,” he said flatly. He turned his back to h
Selena gripped the steering wheel tightly as she glanced at Eduardo. The car was filled with tension but they both knew what had to be done. "Are you sure about this?" Selena asked, her voice tight with worry. Eduardo exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I have to be. If I don’t make a scene, we won’t go unscathed." Selena nodded, keeping her eyes on the road as she pulled up near her father’s house. Eduardo took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and stepped out. "Good luck," Selena murmured as he shut the door. Eduardo squared his shoulders, preparing for the performance of his life. Inside the house, Camila’s nerves were unraveling. She paced the floor, her phone clutched tightly in her hand as she redialed Ruby’s number for the hundredth time. "Come on, pick up," she whispered under her breath, but there was nothing. Just the same monotonous ring before it went to voicemail. Ruby’s father watched her closely, his eyes filled with growing suspicion. "Camila,
THREE MONTHS AGO Maya Suarez sat cross-legged on the carpet, helping her 12-year-old sister, Star, with her homework. Laughter bubbled between them as they joked over math problems in Star’s brightly colored room. For a brief moment, everything felt normal and safe. Then came a knock on the door. “Maya,” her stepmother’s shrill voice called. “Come out here. Now.” Maya stood up, exchanged a glance with Star, and stepped outside. Her heart sank the moment she saw him. Standing beside her stepmother was a man nearly twice her age—big-bellied, sweat-stained, and grinning beneath a thick mess of unkempt gray beard. His eyes were beady, too close together, and he looked her up and down with undisguised hunger. “What is this?” Maya asked flatly. “Cat?” Cat, her stepmother, beamed. “Maya, you remember I told you about the handsome man you’re going to marry? This is Angel. He came to see his bride. We’re going to start planning the wedding.” Maya recoiled. “What marriage? Liste
After Ruby accepted Hector’s proposal, he stood up, taking her with him, and crashed his lips against hers, pouring every ounce of love, pride, and joy into that kiss. Around them, the room erupted in claps and cheers. Carlos whistled, Hunter grinned and clapped with both hands, while even Manuel gave a crooked smile and joined in. And to Ruby’s surprise, Anya clapped the loudest. The moment Hector pulled back from the kiss, Anya squealed in delight and rushed toward Ruby. “I’m so excited! Welcome to the family!” she said, throwing her arms around Ruby. Ruby blinked, caught off guard. She’d seen Anya earlier, tucked slightly behind Hunter, but now seeing her up close, she was stunned by how young she looked. She smiled as she gently pulled back and glanced at the ring on Anya’s finger. “Wait… you’re married?” Ruby asked with a surprised laugh. “But you look so young!” Anya giggled. “I am! Nineteen years old and married to Hunter Steele.” She said it with pride, like a girl
Ruby couldn’t stop smiling as she held Hector’s hand, their fingers intertwined like they’d been molded that way from the start. The past one month had felt like a fairytale—a soothing balm to every scar life had left on her. She had never known peace could feel like this. Being with Hector was like waking up to sunlight after years of cold storms. He treated her like the most precious gem in the world, never raising his voice, never letting her lift a finger when he was around. He always knew exactly what she needed—even before she said it. He was soft with her in ways no one else had ever been. The man the world feared—the cold, ruthless mafia boss known for his brutality—became someone entirely different when he was with her. He was gentle, warm and patient. Even Camilla, who had once pointed a gun at Hector’s head, eventually had to admit that Hector brought out the best in Ruby—and perhaps, Ruby brought out the best in him too. Her father had adjusted well to the ne
Ruby clung to Hector’s chest, holding him tightly as sleep slowly overtook her. With her arms wrapped around him and his steady heartbeat beneath her ear, she drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep. By the time she opened her eyes again, the morning sun had already begun streaming through the curtains. She blinked a few times and reached across the bed—only to find it empty. She sat up immediately, heart racing. “Hector?” she called out, glancing around the room. “Hector?” Her voice wavered. Was it all a dream? Her hand flew to her lips—the place he had kissed her the night before. The warmth of his touch, the passion, the softness of his voice... it had all felt so real. Her eyes welled up with tears. “No,” she whispered, “It felt too real to be a dream.” Just then, the bathroom door opened. Hector stepped out with a towel slung around his waist, his hair damp and messy from a shower, water glistening across his chest. His skin was golden under the light, his sharp jawline
When Camila arrived home, the last thing she expected to see was Antonio leaning casually against her front door, arms crossed and a soft smile playing on his lips. For a moment, her heart softened at the sight of him—tall, and familiar. She walked up to him with a smile of her own and pulled him into a warm, slow kiss. He leaned into it, surprised but pleased. When they parted, he raised an eyebrow. "Okay," he said. "What was that for? You’re unusually sweet today. Should I be worried?" Camila chuckled as she fished out her keys. “I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe I’m just catching some of Ruby’s happiness. It’s contagious, I guess.” Antonio followed her inside, closing the door behind them. “Hmm. Ruby… happy,” he repeated with a dry laugh. “That’s good. Really good. But sometimes I wonder if you two came out of the same womb, with how strongly you feel about her.” Camila snorted as she dropped her bag by the couch. “You wouldn’t understand,” she said, walking into the kitche
Seeing Camila standing there with a gun pointed straight at Hector, Ruby instinctively stepped in front of him. “What are you doing?” she asked, her voice sharp and protective. Without hesitation, she moved forward and snatched the gun from Camila, tossing it across the room. Camila’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I should be the one asking you that! Why is this monster in your room?” Hector smirked from behind Ruby. “Camila,” he said calmly, “you know, I never got the chance to say I admire your loyalty. It’s… impressive.” Camila glared at him, then turned to Ruby. “What the hell is going on here? Are you seriously sitting with a ghost?” Hector, unbothered, sat down and crossed his legs, silently watching the drama unfold. Ruby took a breath. “I’ll explain everything. Hector survived, Camila. He’s been alive… and he’s been protecting me. He’s not here to hurt me. He saved me.” “I still don’t get it.” “The bottom line is…” Ruby hesitated, then looked straight at Camila.
After the passion was spent, Hector pulled away and slowly reached for his clothes. The heat between them had cooled, leaving behind an echo of everything they’d shared—everything they’d lost and what still lingered in the air like a ghost. Without a word, he began to dress, his movements quiet, detached, as though what had just happened didn’t exist or had never meant anything. Ruby lay there for a moment, watching him. Her heart pounded against her chest—not from desire anymore, but fear. Fear that this would be the last time she'd see him. Fear that this was goodbye. She quickly got out of bed, wrapping the sheet around her as she rushed to him, throwing her arms around his torso from behind, pressing her face against his bare back. “Please, Hector,” she whispered, her voice already breaking. “Please… don’t go.” Hector froze. He didn’t move and said nothing. She clutched him tighter, her arms trembling. “Don’t walk away from me. Not like this.” He gently pried her hands
The house was quiet. The kind of silence that didn’t bring peace but stirred everything he was trying to bury. Hector stood by the window of his study, arms folded tightly across his chest, staring out into the vast backyard that once reminded him of freedom. Now, it only reminded him of Ruby. A knock came on the door. “Come in,” Hector said, his voice flat. The door creaked open, and one of his trusted men stepped inside. He looked hesitant, like he wasn’t sure if he should speak. “Well?” “She came, boss,” the underling said quietly. “Ruby.” Hector didn’t flinch, but inside, something shifted. “She said… she needs to see you. Just once. She said it’s important. That if she sees you one more time, she’ll never bother you again.” He turned away from the window and sat on the edge of his desk, one hand rubbing his jaw. “Did she say what it was about?” “No. Only that it was important. She seemed sincere. Sad.” Of course she did."I told her you were dead, just as yo
Hector gently pried Ruby’s trembling hands away from his body, even though every cell in him ached to do the opposite—to turn around, pull her into his arms, and hold her close like he used to. But he didn’t. His voice was clipped, and unreadable. “I need to get rid of these bodies,” he said flatly, without looking at her. The moment she heard his voice, Ruby gasped sharply. It was like the air had been knocked out of her lungs. Her knees weakened, and her heart thumped wildly in her chest. It was him. It was really Hector. Alive. Breathing. Standing just inches from her. And yet… he wouldn’t even look at her. While her thoughts spun out of control—memories, regrets, guilt crashing all at once—Hector raised his phone to his ear and gave a cold order. “Come in. Bring two body bags with you.” Ruby remained frozen where she stood, staring at the blood pooling near her feet and the lifeless bodies of Eduardo and Selena. But none of it moved her. The shock that Hector was still al