Chapter 3
Even after three years as husband and wife, sharing a bed was still a rare occurrence.
Gabriel once claimed he couldn’t sleep with anyone beside him.
But Violet knew better–it wasn’t just “anyone” he couldn’t sleep next to. It was her. She also knew he’d thought long and hard about how to explain giving her room to Ruby. But when she didn’t protest and gave in without resistance, it seemed to throw him off.
“Sure, she’d said with a shrug. “Most of my stuff’s in there anyway. I’ll just clear it out.”
It wasn’t like it mattered when she moved. The outcome was the same.
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But the second she mentioned taking “everything“, Gabriel almost reacted-
words halfway out of his mouth before Ruby chimed in sweetly,
“Thanks, Vivi.”
Violet said nothing. She leaned down and started dragging a box toward the stairs.
It was overloaded, heavy. Her foot caught on something–a sharp sliver of glass hidden beneath the furniture. She fell, hard. Her knee smacked the ground, and shards sliced into her skin.
The pain hit instantly, radiating up her spine and setting her nerves on fire. Her lips pressed into a tight line as she fought back a sound.
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Gabriel didn’t see it happen. Ruby had already pulled him away.
She stayed there for a moment, motionless on the floor, shaking. Then a warm drop splashed onto the tile, followed by another. Tears, slow and soundless.
Over at the Martins‘, Gabriel never let Ruby lift a thing.
“Our Rue is a little princess, he’d say with that soft indulgence. “She should be treated like one.”
But Violet? Back when she was just the maid’s daughter, she carried buckets, scrubbed floors, hauled crates–got hurt all the time, and no one noticed.
Now she had a title. She was Gabriel’s wife. A rich man’s daughter.
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Still, nothing had changed.
Ruby was the one people looked out for. Without hesitation. Without thinking twice.
Violet had learned to accept it.
It took her all afternoon to get her belongings sorted. By the time the sun dipped low, the last box was loaded onto the truck.
Gabriel watched, frown tugging at his brow.
“You didn’t need to get rid of so much,” he said. “Rue’s just here for a bit. Once she’s gone, you’ll move back. What’s the point?”
Something about her felt… off to him lately. She was too composed. Too quiet.
“They’re old, Violet replied, her tone flat.
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“Figured it was time to clear some space.”
“You’re not the type to waste things.”
No. She wasn’t. She’d grown up knowing how to stretch every dollar. Nothing got tossed without a reason.
But she smiled faintly.
“They’ve been around a long time. Thought I’d make room. Out with the old, you know?”
Just like people, she thought.
She sounded reasonable enough. Pushing further would only make him seem petty, so Gabriel let it drop.
“There’s an auction tonight” he said instead. “I was invited. You’re coming. So is Rue.”
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She opened her mouth to say no, but he cut her off before she could.
“You’re my secretary. I can’t show up without one.”
She looked at him, a thousand unspoken words welling up. “Oh, but bringing Ruby’s fine?” she wanted to say.
But instead, she just nodded. One last thing before walking away for good.
Night fell. Inside the auction hall, the place glowed under harsh, dazzling lights–every corner lit like daylight.
The room buzzed with people who mattered
-slick suits, smooth talkers, the kind that made or broke fortunes.
The Bennetts had risen fast in the past
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couple of years, and the host, Taylor, wasted no time coming over to greet them.
“Mr. Bennett. Right this way. Your seats are prepared.”
He pointed to two reserved chairs.
“I heard you recently got married? This second seat must be for your wife.”
Everything froze. Just for a breath.
Gabriel had gone to great lengths to keep his marriage quiet. It wasn’t supposed to be public knowledge.
Violet turned to him, silent, waiting.
Two women. One seat.
He didn’t even hesitate.
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“I’m not married,” he said coolly. “Not sure where you heard that.”
Taylor blinked in confusion.
“And these ladies?”
Gabriel stepped forward and reached for Ruby’s hand.
“This is Ruby. Daughter of the CEO of the Martin Corporation.”
“Ah, Miss Martin.” Taylor nodded respectfully.
Then, after a pause, Gabriel motioned toward Violet.
“That’s my secretary.”
Violet didn’t flinch. She already knew how
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this would play out. But that didn’t stop the slow, burning ache in her chest.
Still, she kept her head high and stood tall.
Gabriel and Ruby sat down side by side. Violet remained behind them, on her feet.
Maybe it was the cold air. Or maybe it was everything piling up. But a sharp pain cut through her abdomen, sudden and stabbing.
One hand went to her stomach. Quietly, she turned and slipped out of the hall toward the restroom–like she was running.
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