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
Last Updated : 2025-02-16 Read more