PTE
tin
ounded angry and would be brave enough to tell him
ught a glimpse of the father she once knew-the one who carried her on his shoulders when she was six
e business issues that require my pres
w mo
. Last time, he promised three
. "But... Why now?
ght words. "Grey Enterprises is on the verge of a partnership with a
o be you?" Ru
be me," h
s fell between
peared at the foot of the staircase wearing her satin robe, her expression carefully composed. S
r is ready," Viv
hesitated, as if battling guilt he wasn't sure how to
stomach
said n
ieved Vivian's act-the loving wife
d a hand on Ruby's shoulder
added, though his to
orced
kly smoothed it into a soft smile. "She'll
that it was a lie. Tha
he chose not to. Instead, he kissed her fo
e, Ruby,"
hen h
like
hollow thud that echo
tarted, Vivian's smil
you'd better behave. I don't want unnecessary noise in this house. And do
er gaze, her t
, ma
n't think about calling your father for every minor i
ded agai
here for several seconds. The quiet felt heavier now,
gain, with a woman who saw her as nothin
he had no choice but to endure it-aga
...
who unplugged her phone from cha
s, the sun was already rising s
whispered, jump
uxury of waking up la
fit for school. By the time she finally made it out of the house, she was breathles
ed past her cars honked impatiently. Ruby clutched her tor
n and stepped forward
oo
tires screeching against the asphalt. Ruby ju
a man shouted fro
pped on loose gravel and stu
opped inch
eath c
nt, the worl
r door
stepp
Ca
Carter Holdings. A man people only saw on TV, magazines, or billbo
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