Chapter 4
She hadn’t even started her period yet–so why was the pain hitting her so hard all of a sudden?
Violet tried to get up and leave, but when she reached for the door handle, it didn’t move. The door was locked from the outside.
Then Ruby’s arrogant voice echoed through the door.
“Hey, hand–me–down, how’s that love treating you?”
“Gabriel’s loved me since day one. Now that I’m back, you’d better get out of our way.”
“You actually had the nerve to show up tonight, of all nights, trying to steal my
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spotlight?”
Clutching her stomach, doubling over in pain, Violet wiped cold sweat from her forehead. Her voice was weak but firm. “Ruby, if you want him, take him. I’m done caring.”
Ruby sneered, not believing a word. “Yeah, right. You think I’m buying that?”
“You stole my mom from me back then, and now you want my man too? Who do you think you are?”
“You’re stuck in there tonight. No one’s coming to save you.”
With a cruel smile, Ruby dragged over a “Restricted Area. Do Not Enter” sign and propped it up by the door.
Because some auction items tonight were
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off–limits to photography, everyone had to hand over their phones before entering.
No one except Ruby would dare come this
way.
Pain wracking her body, Violet slid down to the floor, slumping against the wall as her strength drained away. Using what little energy she had left, she pounded on the door, her voice trembling with desperation.
“Help… someone, please… Help me…”
But anyone passing by saw the sign and walked right past, not giving it a second thought. No one came to her rescue.
She had no idea how long she screamed before the pain finally took over completely, and she blacked out.
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When the auction wrapped up and Violet still hadn’t returned, Gabriel’s face tightened with
worry.
Ruby looked up at him, pretending to be innocent. “Gab, maybe she’s upset because I took her seat?”
“If I’d known she’d take it that personally, I never would’ve taken it.”
Hearing Ruby apologize, Gabriel frowned. “You’re the Martins‘ rightful daughter. You really think it’s okay for a secretary to take your place?”
“Forget it. Let her be. She’s been acting too proud lately. Maybe she needs to cool off. Let’s go home.”
Out of sight, Ruby grinned triumphantly,
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thinking, Violet, I told you–you’ll never beat me. Not with my mom, not with my lover.
That night, Violet didn’t come home. But Gabriel never asked a single question about her.
The next morning, during her rounds, a cleaning lady unlocked the restroom door at the auction hall.
There, curled up in a corner, was Violet. Her dress was soaked through, and even half–conscious, her body shook from the
cold.
The cleaner hurried over, concerned. “Ma’am, how did you get locked in here? You don’t look well–should I call 911?”
Violet’s wet lashes fluttered open. She pressed her arms against the floor, forcing
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herself up slowly.
“Thank you, but… no need.”
Her stomach pain had lessened, but the cold of the restroom had been brutal all night.
She’d really thought Gabriel would at least come searching for her.
Clearly, she’d been wrong.
She remembered how, the one time Ruby disappeared for just ten minutes, Gabriel nearly called 911 in a panic.
But now–after an entire night with no word- he hadn’t even tried to find his wife.
So this is what love versus indifference feels like, Violet thought.
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Leaning against the wall for support, she took slow steps out and caught a cab home.
Once inside the car, she finally got her
phone back–and sure enough, no calls from Gabriel.
Instead, there were several messages from Xavier.
[Violet, I can’t wait a whole month. One week. I’m coming to get you in a week.]
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