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