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Aveline
I don't even know why I've been doing this to myself.
First it was the bathtub. Then the pool.
Both times, I sank like I wanted to disappear—but Ruby... she wasn't angry. Not the mafia boss, not the beast.
She was scared.
Scared in a way I didn't understand. Or maybe I did. And I just didn't want to believe it.
Maybe it's my mind playing tricks. Overthinking. Overreacting. That couldn't be true, right?
Right?
Ruby had a past. Everyone knows that. She had relationships. If whispers hold any weight.
And here I am, pretending I'm okay.
Today, I had a dance test for Aunt Eliza. The dress I wore clung perfectly to my figure, flowy but sharp—something made for movement. Something Ruby would've liked.
After the performance, I spotted Andrew.
He smiled when he saw me, arms already open, and I hugged him before thinking. That boy's got a death wish. Ruby would burn his whole damn house with him inside if she ever saw that.
We chatted for a bit at cafe. He looked nervous—not his usual confident self.
Then he did something I didn't expect.
He held my hand.
That's when I knew.
That weird chill ran down my back like warning bells going off.
"Aveline, I know it's wrong. You're married—I get it. But Ruby? She's not giving you what you deserve. I can see it. You're hurting, and I'd never let you feel like that. Marry me."
For a moment, I just sat there frozen. My heart stumbled over its own beat. I couldn't speak—my throat just... locked.
I stood up. About to say something—anything—when Ema appeared like a damn miracle.
"Hey, Aveline! Long time."
I turned to her, wrapped her in a hug like I'd been waiting for her all day. She used to be Ruby's fiancée. That history still tastes metallic.
"How are you, Ema?" I asked, and she smiled, chill like always.
"I'm sorry, Andrew. But I can't," I told him, turning away without looking back.
Ema and I walked off. She could feel the awkward energy rolling off me.
"What was that about?" she asked.
"Some idiot just confessed to me," I sighed.
Ema's jaw dropped. She knew Ruby. She knew how unhinged she could be if anyone tried touching what was hers.
"Wow. Sucks to be him."
"Yeah," I muttered. "He's done for if Ruby ever finds out."
Ema told me she'd left for abroad after the whole broken engagement thing. Said Ruby told her from the start that she was in love with me—even when she proposed.
"Don't be sad. I was the one who agreed to go abroad anyway."
Relief flooded me.
She's not my enemy.
Thank god.
"Thanks for understanding, Ema."
She laughed.
"No need. I'm happy."
I felt like breathing again. She wasn't bitter. She didn't blame me.
"You got lucky," she laughed. "She's yours, and always was."
We hugged before parting ways.
Back home, Leon—our dog—ran to me like always, licking my face, tail wagging.
That's when I saw Ruby. Standing at the top of the stairs, her red eyes locked on me. She didn't say a word. Just nodded and vanished into our room.
Mr. Han bowed politely. "Madam, would you like dinner?"
"Did Ruby eat?" I asked.
He shook his head.
Of course she didn't.
Upstairs, she was sitting on the edge of the bed, a cigarette burning between her fingers. When she saw me, she crushed it in the ashtray immediately.
"What's wrong?" I asked softly.
"Nothing, rabbit. Just tired."
I rolled my eyes. "Get up. At least take off your damn suit."
She stood without a fight, waiting for me. It's a traitor move—making me undress her.
I peeled off her jacket, loosened her tie, fingers working her shirt buttons one by one. Her hands slid onto my waist. I was on my tiptoes—she's always so goddamn tall.
By the time I reached the last button, her patience snapped.
She leaned in, her face burying into the crook of my neck, hot breath brushing against my skin. It made me shiver.
"What's wrong, Ruby?" I whispered, trailing my finger along her dragon tattoo—the one I'm dangerously obsessed with.
She didn't answer. Just kissed my neck with heat that made my knees weak.
"Where were you, rabbit?"
"With Aunt Eliza. Then bumped into Ema. Just small talk—nothing deep."
"You sure you're not hiding anything?" she asked, her voice calm but coiled.
God. She was confident. Intense.
But I can't tell her about Andrew.
I swallowed. "No. Nothing."
She nodded, then stepped back—straightening, muscles tightening like armor snapping back into place.
I placed my hand over her chest, her heartbeat strong beneath my palm. Her eyes stayed on mine like she stared at me—straight through my soul.
And I kissed her.
A soft kiss.
A test.
She kissed me back, gentle at first, then a little more hungry.
Her lion pendant—the one her mother gave her—rested between us. She never took it off. It was her promise. Her anchor.
Hours passed. Later that, I sat alone in the chair, phone in hand, lost in thought. That's when the text came.
Unknown Number.
The message was a photo.
Ruby. With someone else.
I blinked, heart slamming into my ribs. I zoomed in, fingers trembling.
A woman. Close. Too close.
And then—another picture. Ruby holding a child. A girl maybe five or six. The same kid I saw at the restaurant. That woman... that was the same face. The one whispered about.
No. No no no no no.
That woman...
She's the mistress of Ruby Sun.
I wanted to throw my phone, scream, cry.
The unknown sender messaged again:
Tears welled up.
A second message:
"It's real."
"If you want to know who she is, come to the warehouse tomorrow."
I know. I know I'm an idiot.
But I texted back.
"Who are you?"
No name. Just:
"Doesn't matter."
"Okay. I'll come. Send the address."
Then:
"Good girl. We'll be waiting."
I closed the phone, leaned back, felt the weight press down on my lungs.
I went to bed. Slept with a knot in my gut. Ruby wasn't beside me when I woke up. Typical.
After breakfast, I followed the address they'd sent. Took the car out of the city. Drove past roads that stopped pretending to be roads.
Deep into the woods. No people. No buildings. Just silence and tall trees and the smell of moss and danger.
There it was.
The warehouse.
Huge. Empty. And wide open like it had teeth.
I stepped in.
"Hello?" I called. My voice echoed in the hollow dark.
My phone buzzed.
"What if I said... YOU CAN'T ESCAPE?"
"What do you mean?" I typed fast.
No reply.
Then the door slammed shut behind me. A loud metallic clang. The sound of chains locking.
Flames.
Suddenly—flames. Bursting up from the floor, the corners. Spreading.
I was trapped.
Surrounded.