The house breathed at night.
Ruby noticed it when sleep refused to come, the soft creaks in the walls, the distant hum of electricity, the way the wind brushed the trees outside like fingers searching for a way in. Every sound felt louder in the dark, heavier, as if the silence itself was watching her.
She lay on her side, one hand resting protectively over her stomach. Two heartbeats lived there now. She could not feel them yet, but she knew they were real. Too real. They had already changed everything.
Kelvin hadn't come to bed.
That fact pressed on her chest harder than fear.
She stared at the ceiling, blinking back tears. The room smelled faintly of cedar and clean linen. Too clean. Too controlled. Nothing in her life had ever been this quiet without danger hiding beneath it.
Her mind replayed Kelvin's words again and again.
The night you don't remember might not be empty.
Ruby squeezed her eyes shut.
She remembered drinking tea. She remembered feeling dizzy. She remembered going to bed alone.
After that nothing.
Her throat tightened. Panic crawled slowly through her veins, cold and relentless.
She pushed herself upright, ignoring the wave of nausea, and slipped out of bed. The floor was cold beneath her feet as she padded toward the door. She needed Kelvin. Needed answers. Needed something solid to hold onto before her thoughts tore her apart.
Downstairs, low voices drifted through the hallway.
She paused.
Kelvin's voice was sharp, controlled but there was another voice too. Male. Unfamiliar.
Ruby moved closer, her heart pounding.
You can't keep her hidden forever, the other man was saying. Dante is escalating.
I'm aware, Kelvin snapped. That's why I called you.
You should've called sooner.
Ruby leaned against the wall, holding her breath.
If Dante gets a court order, the man continued, he can force medical access. Especially if he claims fraud.
Fraud.
The word sliced through her.
Kelvin was silent for a long moment. When he spoke again, his voice was lower. Dangerous. He won't get near her.
You're underestimating how far he'll go, the man replied. This isn't about inheritance anymore. It's personal.
Ruby's chest tightened.
She backed away quietly, her pulse roaring in her ears. She didn't want to hear more. Couldn't. The truth was already too heavy.
She turned and froze.
Kelvin stood at the end of the hallway, watching her.
How long have you been standing there? he asked.
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Ruby, he said, softer now. How much did you hear?
Enough, she whispered.
The other man appeared behind Kelvin tall, broad-shouldered, eyes assessing her with clinical precision. He looked like someone who measured risk for a living.
This is Marcus, Kelvin said reluctantly. My legal counsel.
Marcus inclined his head. Mrs. Blackwood.
Ruby flinched at the title.
I'm not invisible, she said, her voice shaking despite her effort. You can't talk about me like I'm not here.
Kelvin crossed the space between them in seconds. That wasn't my intention.
But it's what you're doing, she shot back. Planning. Deciding. Protecting your interests.
And yours, he said firmly.
She shook her head. You don't even know if I'm telling the truth anymore.
The words hung between them, raw and ugly.
Kelvin's jaw tightened. That's not fair.
Neither is this, she whispered, pressing her hand to her stomach. I don't even know what happened to my own body, Kelvin. I don't know if something was taken from me and you're worried about contracts.
Marcus cleared his throat. Perhaps I should give you both privacy.
Kelvin didn't respond. Marcus studied Ruby once more, then turned and walked away.
Silence fell heavy again.
I'm scared, Ruby said. All the time. I woke up scared. I breathe scared. And every time I look at you, I'm terrified you'll decide I'm no longer worth the risk.
Kelvin's expression cracked just a little.
You're not disposable, he said quietly. I wouldn't have brought you into my life if you were.
That's not comforting, she replied bitterly. You brought me in because you needed something.
Yes, he admitted. And somewhere along the way, it stopped being just that.
Her breath caught.
Before she could respond, Kelvin's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen and went still.
Ruby felt it instantly the shift in the air.
What is it? she asked.
Kelvin answered the call without breaking eye contact with her. Speak.
A voice crackled through the speaker. Distorted. Familiar in a way that made Ruby's skin crawl.
Good evening, brother, Dante said smoothly. I was starting to worry you'd forgotten about me.
Kelvin's hand tightened around the phone. What do you want?
A soft chuckle. Straight to business. I like that. I was just calling to let you know… I've filed an injunction.
Ruby's heart slammed painfully against her ribs. What does that mean? she mouthed.
Kelvin's face darkened. On what grounds?
Concern for corporate legitimacy, Dante replied lazily. And for the wellbeing of my future niece or nephew. Or nephews, he added pointedly. Plural, isn't it?
Ruby felt dizzy.
You don't have standing, Kelvin said coldly.
Not yet, Dante agreed. But courts love a good scandal. Especially when medical anomalies are involved.
Kelvin turned away, pacing. You won't touch her.
Oh, Kelvin, Dante sighed. You already did. Now we're just counting the consequences.
Ruby's stomach twisted violently.
And before you ask, Dante continued, yes. I know where she is.
Kelvin stopped walking.
Ruby's blood turned to ice.
That's impossible, Kelvin said.
Is it? Dante replied softly. You forget. That house isn't as invisible as you think.
Ruby's knees weakened. Kelvin caught her just in time, pulling her against his chest.
Stay away from her, Kelvin warned. This ends now.
Dante laughed. No. This is just the beginning.
The call ended.
For a moment, the world felt unreal. Like everything was tilting, slipping out of place.
He knows, Ruby whispered. He knows where I am.
Kelvin held her tighter. We're moving.
Again? Panic surged. Where?
Somewhere even Marcus doesn't know.
She pulled back, searching his face. You don't trust anyone.
I trust you, he said.
Her lips trembled. Do you?
His answer came too slow.
A sharp sound shattered the silence.
Glass exploded inward.
Ruby screamed as Kelvin spun, dragging her to the floor. Shards rained down where she'd been standing seconds earlier. Alarms blared. Footsteps thundered outside.
Kelvin shielded her with his body, his voice low and urgent. Don't move.
From the broken window, a small black object rolled across the floor and came to rest near the wall.
Tick.
Tick.
Ruby stared at it, horror freezing her breath.
What is that? she whispered.
Kelvin's eyes widened.
Run, he shouted.
The device began to flash red.