Chapter 16
Ruby’s face turned pale. She hadn’t expected Grayson to find out, but instinct took over, and she denied it without hesitation.
“Grayson, what are you talking about? I never said anything to Miss Hudson.”
He let out a cold laugh, his fingers tightening around her chin.
“Still trying to lie? If I hadn’t seen the messages myself, I wouldn’t have believed you could play such a double role. In front of
me, you act like an obedient little rabbit. But with Violet, you’re all arrogance and condescension.”
His voice was sharp. “I’ve warned you countless times–Violet is the only woman I have ever loved. You’re just something I keep
around to pass the time.”
His fingers dug into her skin. “You had a hand in Violet’s death. And for that, you’ll pay.‘
Without another word, his grip moved to her throat. His fingers clenched tighter and tighter. The veins on his arm bulged, his
expression terrifying in its fury.
A primal survival instinct kicked in. Ruby clawed at his hand, nails digging into his skin, but he didn’t let go. Her vision blurred.
She stared at the man she had once adored, and for the first time, she felt nothing but fear.
Just as the last of her breath slipped away, she forced out two strangled syllables.
“Baby…”
At that, his grip suddenly loosened.
Ruby collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air, coughing violently. Her entire body trembled with the realization that she was still
alive.
Grayson watched her, expression unmoved. His mind was already elsewhere–on the baby, on how to get rid of it.
Violet had died because of Ruby. That fact burned in his mind. Every time he saw her, he saw the reason the woman he loved was
gone. And the child she carried? He felt nothing but disgust.
But Ruby, regaining her breath, felt something else entirely.
A strange sort of joy.
The fear, the pain–none of it mattered anymore. Because one thought echoed in her mind: Violet was dead.
She hadn’t watched the grand wedding, hadn’t looked up any news. Jealousy had kept her away. And yet, she had never imagined that a few taunting messages and some ambiguous photos would push Violet over the edge.
It was almost too easy.
She struggled to her feet, tears welling in her eyes. She reached out, clutching the hem of his shirt, pleading softly.
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“Grayson, I didn’t mean for this to happen. I just love you too much. I didn’t want our child to be born illegitimate.”
+15 BONUS
Her voice quivered as she continued. “I never thought Miss Hudson would… I know it’s heartbreaking. But she’s gone, and we
have to move forward, don’t we? I still have your child inside me.”
Her hands moved to her stomach, cradling it gently. She knew–Grayson had always cared about the child. He wouldn’t
