The Billionaire's Contract Lover

Begi

ub

way like a whip. "How many times m

arms. She drew in a slow, steadying breath. That tone-sharp, impatient

softly as she stepped

red nails tapping rhythmically against her elbow. Beside her, Clara lounged on t

u so long?" V

e clothes outside

ng at her lips. "And you couldn't run? Honestl

tion prickling under her skin, but s

Move to the kitchen and start preparing food

shed cleaning the room

or an update on your chores? Or are y

" Ruby w

. Now

he kitchen, feeling Clara's sati

eyes stung. Another day. Another insult. Another reminder that

-

n't always li

this home. Her childhood had been filled with warm laughter, her mother's humming driftin

and endlessly patient. Her father adored them both, the thr

nded when Rub

bered holding her mother's hands, feeling the warmth slip away day by day. She remembered the nights spent praying, the morni

ed, something inside Ru

her bro

people attr

ame in the fo

iling a smile that never reached her eyes. When Anderson introduced her as a

t day they met and said, "Oh, she's

, not knowing the truth h

er, Vivian bec

, and dripping with entitlement. Clara looked Ruby o

ed to be

hyly. "Do you want

lay? With you? My friends d

ed the beginning

by with false praises-"Ruby is so helpful... Ruby is such

erson stepped out,

ame the reason eve

ed the pl

sweep this c

e too

e care

mbarra

ve no r

enough to be

it ten times. If Vivian raised her voice, Clara screamed.

was doing everyt

g ever

clothes

y room-twice

ing w

en the ones Clara d

nds late int

after Clara

with her homework when her

ver lifte

even know how

e sure of that. Whenever he was home, she played the angelic stepm

d into a battlefield

s. To quiet her pain. To keep mo

front gate-at the world beyond