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,
“What the hell is going on here?” Ruby's stepmother suddenly walked in and demanded, glancing between Camila, Ruby’s father, and Eduardo. “I was at the church early, making sure everything was in place, but Ruby never showed up. Now I had to come back home, and I walk into… this?” Camila exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I don’t have time to explain right now. I need to get to the casino." Before she could rush out, Ruby’s father spoke quickly, his voice laced with urgency. "Ruby is in danger. Someone tricked her into withdrawing all the money from the company’s account and going to the casino to save Eduardo. But now, we’ve been informed that there’s been a massacre there." Ruby’s stepmother gasped, covering her mouth. "A massacre?" "I need to go there," he continued, his hands shaking. "I need to find my daughter." Camila placed a firm hand on his arm. "You shouldn’t. It’s dangerous. Let me go, and I’ll keep you updated." "No," Ruby’s father snapped. "My daughter’s lif
Camilla’s hands trembled as she clutched her arms tightly. The cold sterility of the hospital room did nothing to ease the growing panic inside her. She watched helplessly as the doctor and nurses worked frantically, their voices a blur as they fought to revive Ruby’s father. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor had long since become erratic, each sound a reminder of how close he was to slipping away. The defibrillator pads pressed against his chest, sending jolts of electricity coursing through his body, causing him to convulse slightly before falling still again. She held her breath. 'Please, please…' Another jolt. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, drowning out everything else. And then.....silence. The monitor’s flatline was deafening. Camilla felt her legs weaken. 'No… no, this can't be happening.' The doctor straightened, lowering his hands. His face was unreadable as he turned to Eduardo. "I'm sorry, but he is dead." The words shattered her. Camilla g
Camilla wiped her tears and forced herself to stand. Her legs were weak, her heart heavy with grief, but she had no time to break down. Ruby had no one except her. If her father was gone, then Camilla was all she had left. And no matter what it took, she would find her. With renewed determination, she marched out of the hospital, her mind racing with possibilities. She needed a lead....anything...to track Ruby’s whereabouts. Camilla’s first stop was a local technician. “I need you to trace a phone for me,” she told him urgently. The man adjusted his glasses and sat behind his desk, cracking his knuckles. “Alright, do you have the number?” She gave it to him immediately, tapping her fingers impatiently against the counter as he worked. Seconds stretched into minutes. Then, the technician frowned. “That’s strange.” Camilla’s stomach clenched. “What is it?” “There’s no signal. It’s like the phone doesn’t exist anymore.” Camilla’s heart pounded. “How is that possib
Ruby’s body ached in ways she had never known before. Her back throbbed, the pain radiating through every limb as she slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, she was disoriented. 'Where am I?' Then, it all came back. The cold, damp floor beneath her. The cage. The searing sting of Tara’s whip slicing through her skin. And Hector. That monster. She shuddered as she recalled the last thing he had said to her after she spit in his face. "You’re going to become my dog." A chill ran down her spine. Her fingers dug into the metal bars of the cage, her breaths coming out shaky. She wanted to believe it was just a threat—just cruel words meant to break her. But looking around the dimly lit room, she wasn’t so sure. The agonizing screams of another person reached her ears, pulling her attention. Don Gray. She turned slowly and saw him still tied, his body trembling violently. His wrists were raw and bloody, his feet. He was still naked. His head was slumped forward,
Tara stood outside the bathroom, arms crossed, her eyes narrowing when she saw Ruby step out. “You really took your time,” she said, smirking. Ruby remained silent. Tara’s gaze flickered over her face, taking in the difference. Without the heavy makeup she had been forced to wear earlier, Ruby looked different. “You’ll need makeup again,” Tara mused, tilting her head. “But first, dry your hair.” She handed Ruby a hairdryer, plugged it into the socket, and gestured for her to use it. Ruby hesitated, gripping the device in her hands. Her mind raced. 'What if I struck her with this?' Would she have enough time to escape? She was still wrapped in a towel, vulnerable, but if she acted fast enough... “Don’t even think about it.” Before she could even make a move, Tara’s voice cut through her thoughts. Ruby froze. Tara’s fingers tapped against the gun strapped to her waist. “You could die right here if you try something foolish,” she warned. Ruby clenched her jaw
Ruby sat in the metal cage, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as Tara pushed her forward. The cage stopped moving along the way and the door was opened by Tara. Before Ruby could react, someone else snuck into the cage— a young girl, holding a small makeup box. In no time, Ruby's face was all dolled up and the young girl exited the cage. Without a word, Tara shut the cage and began pushing it once again. The cold steel bars pressed against Ruby's bare skin, and every bump along the way made her flinch. The only thing she wore was a blue G-string with a matching bra—nothing to cover her shame, nothing to shield her from the leering eyes that awaited her. Her cheeks burned with humiliation, and tears brimmed in her eyes. How had it come to this? Her mind drifted back to simpler days, to a time when respect and dignity were all that mattered to her. She had grown up cherishing those values, avoiding anything that could bring disgrace to herself or her family. Her father had al
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