Ruby's POV

The fear curdled into anger. For years, I’d let him control the narrative. He always made me question myself and silenced me with threats. But not this time.

“Don’t act like you’re the victim,” I snapped, my voice shaking with anger. “You’re a hypocrite, John. I must’ve been blind to ever believe you were anything else.”

His lips curved into that familiar, cold smirk. “I’m the hypocrite? You pushed me to this, Ruby. You and your little drama about ...