Ruby Pov
The voice was smooth, deep, and slightly amused, but not in a sarcastic way.
I tensed up and wiped away my tears quickly before turning around.
A man with piercing, perceptive eyes stood a few feet away, observing me. I could see he wasn't a simple or random bystander, even in the low light.
His pricey black coat fit his tall, broad form like a glove, and he exuded confidence with ease.
However, I was uneasy about more than simply his appearance or demeanor. He seemed to be able to see straight through me because of the way his eyes lingered.
"Who are you?" My voice sounded raspy.
"Jackson," he said plainly, taking a step forward. I felt a glimmer of recognition as I heard the name. "Jackson… Phillips?"
With hesitation, I asked. A sneer formed on his lips.
"So, you've heard of me." I had, of course. Jackson Phillips was the mysterious heir to the Phillips Group, one of the most influential companies in the nation—the sort of man who people only discussed in whispers.
But why on earth was he here? "Why are you talking to me?"
With doubt in my voice, I inquired. "Because you look like you're about to fall apart," he added frankly, his smirk turning into a more serious expression.
My fingers clenched into fists as I gulped forcefully. He was right, and I detested it. "I'm fine," I turned aside and lied.
Jackson chuckled quietly. "Sure you are."
I frowned. "I don't need your pity."
"Good," he said. "Because I don't do pity."
At that point, I thought he would go, but he stayed. Instead, he slung his coat over my shoulders after shrugging it off.
The fabric was warm, and I could smell his rich, heady aroma all about me.
"You're shivering," he said. My fingers clenched around the edges of his coat as I paused.
"Why are you being nice to me?" "Why not?"
His gaze was unflinching and steady. "Besides, I know what it's like to be betrayed by someone you trust."
I blinked, startled.
"You—" Unsure whether to ask, I paused. Jackson, meanwhile, just grinned, albeit bitterly.
"I've been in your position before, let's just say that. And I'm aware that torturing yourself while standing here in the cold won't make a single difference." I averted my gaze as my chest constricted. "Then what will I do?"
I asked quietly. Jackson remained quiet for a while. After that, he took a sleek black card out of his pocket.
"When you're ready to stop being the woman who lets a man walk all over her, call me." I took the card from him.
"I can help you." My heart was pounding as I gazed at the card.
"Help me?" I looked up into his eyes and whispered. His smile reappeared, but his eyes had taken on a menacing look.
"Let's just state...I adore seeing men like Ramsey receive the justice they are due. This time, I trembled not because it was cold, but because I felt that my life had just taken a risky, irrevocable turn. Furthermore, I wasn't certain that I wanted to discontinue it.
For what seemed like an eternity, I stood in the chilly night air while Jackson's comments kept coming back to her.
"When you're ready to stop being the woman who lets a man walk all over her, call me."
I gazed at the black card in my shaky palms. I felt like I was being choked by the weight of everything. What was at stake for me?
I had already been discarded by Ramsey like a worthless trash can. Rita was strutting around him as though she had won a huge prize. I've been the submissive, silent wife for years, allowing other people to determine my value.
But that's now no longer the case. I took a big breath, pulled out my phone, and entered the card's number.
Before Jackson's silky voice could be heard, the phone hardly rang.
"You're quicker than I expected," he thought. I clenched my fingers around the phone.
You claimed to be able to assist me. I'm curious as to how. After a pause, Jackson resumed his conversation in a forceful but composed tone.
"Come see me at the Philips Tower tomorrow. Noon. Ruby took a swallow. According to rumors, the first son of the Philp's group was betrothed to Silver's elder daughter, and that was the headquarters of one of the most influential firms in the nation.
"Alright," I replied. Ignoring the thought. "Good. "And Ruby?"
"What?"
"Don't waste your time crying over people who don't deserve you." I was left looking at my screen as the call ended. I let out a slow breath and then erect my shoulders. I wasn't weak. I wouldn't shatter.
No more.
Returning to Work Ruby made herself return to work at the restaurant the following morning. She had no intention of sitting around wallowing in her misery. She straightened her apron as she entered and made her way to the kitchen. She was grounded by the aroma of freshly prepared food and spices.
This was what she needed. The work, the habit, something to occupy her thoughts. However, she froze when she heard the sound of familiar laughter as she left the kitchen holding a tray.
Her stomach dropped as she turned to face the VIP area. As though they were carefree, Ramsey and Rita sat with their heads close to each other, laughing and whispering.
Rita's red-painted fingernails traced circles across Ramsey's sleeve as her hand leaned possessively on his arm. Ruby's chest constricted, but she made herself remain composed.
She had to pretend she didn't give a damn as if she hadn't loved a man who hadn't seen her for four years of her life. As she turned to go, Rita's harsh, derisive voice interrupted her.
"Oh, look who it is—poor, pathetic Ruby." Some patrons turned to gaze. Ruby continued to walk while clenching her fists. Rita wasn't finished.
"What? Not crying today? Now that Ramsey has finally tossed you out like the garbage you are, I thought you would be devastated."
It was that. Ruby came to a halt. She turned slowly, her expression icy as she looked at Rita.
"And you're proud of that?" Ruby's voice sounded like a blade slicing through the atmosphere. Rita grinned.
"Obviously. Even your own husband was out of your grasp. I only took him out of your hands out of courtesy."
Ramsey shifted uneasily, but he remained silent. Ruby laughed drearily. She replied, "Shameless," and shook her head.
"You slept with another woman's husband for three years and have the audacity to gloat?"
Rita's smile wavered a little, but she got it back fast.
"Is it important? I now own him. Ruby stepped forward and lowered her voice to a level that only Rita and Ramsey could hear.
"And do you know why he's rich now?" Rita scowled.
"What?"
"You didn't give him the Phillips Group contract that made him. I'm the reason it happened. Ruby wasn't finished, but Rita's eyes widened a little.
"I worked quietly, helped him, and made sacrifices for him for years. And now he believes he can simply discard me?" She chuckled quietly.
"Rita, do you believe you've won? Believe me, you haven't. Rita's face flushed with rage.
"You're just bitter because Ramsey chose me."
"No, Rita," Ruby stated in a composed yet forceful tone.
"I feel relieved. Because I'm seeing the type of man I wasted my life on now." When Ramsey did speak, his voice was irritated.
"That's enough, Ruby." Ruby, however, was not about to back down.