Chapter 2
Violet assumed it would take a while before anyone answered, but the call connected on the very first ring.
“Violet,” came a deep, clipped voice, “you’re not playing games with me, are you?”
She said nothing.
“I chased you for seven years while you chased after Gabriel. You froze me out like ice that entire time. And now, out of the blue, you’re throwing me a lifeline? What changed?”
Xavier Drake. The man she almost chose. A powerhouse in Velmora’s elite circles.
He’d waited for her–pursued her-
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relentlessly. She nearly gave in.
But on the night she was supposed to make her decision, Gabriel had given her a flicker of hope.
And she chose wrong.
Now, hearing Xavier’s voice again, she exhaled slowly. “I wasn’t thinking. Just… pretend I never called.”
A loud thud rang through the line, like something heavy had crashed to the floor.
“You think I’m the kind of guy you can call on a whim and hang up on when it suits you?” His voice cracked with heat. “Not this time, Violet. You made your choice. And I’m not letting you back out.”
He didn’t pause. “One month. Tie up loose
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He wandered over and peered inside one of the boxes. It was filled with clothes and trinkets he’d given her over the years.
“You’re calling this stuff junk?”
“They’re old gifts,” she said evenly. “They take up space. I figured I’d donate them under your name. Kids in the mountains could use them. Might boost your public image.”
That last line made the corners of Gabriel’s lips lift ever so slightly. “You always did know how to make things work.”
He seemed satisfied, which let her exhale a little. But Violet wasn’t naive.
He didn’t believe her. He just didn’t care enough to question it.
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Suddenly, a sharp crash came from behind her.
She turned around and found Ruby standing beside the bookshelf, a shattered sculpture at her feet. Her expression was pure
innocence, like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.
“Oops… sorry, Gab, Vivi. I didn’t mean to.”
Gabriel didn’t even glance at the broken piece. He brushed past Violet like she wasn’t even there and went straight to Ruby, inspecting her from head to toe.
“You’re not hurt? Good,” he said, eyes finally relaxing. “Nothing matters more than you.”
But that wasn’t enough for Ruby. Her gaze flicked to Violet, lips curling sweetly.
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Chapter 2
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Ted replied softly, “It’s fine.”
flash of something unreadable passed Over Ruby’s face before she masked it with a sugary smile.
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“Sixww, you’re really too nice.”
Then she turned to Gabriel without missing a beat. “Since my sister’s so generous, I’m sure she won’t mind what I’m about to ask next.”
Gabriel didn’t even look at Violet as he responded.
“Rue just got back to Velmora. Her parents are overseas, and she’s not used to staying alone. Let her stay here for now.”
“And your room gets more sun. You know how she gets when it’s cold. Switch rooms with her.”
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