Aveline
Me and Ruby—same routine.
She leaves early, comes home late… or sometimes not at all.
And me? I rot in boredom.
But today's different.
Ever since I got sick, she started sleeping in the same room. And today—her company's throwing a party.
"Everyone wants to meet us… as a couple," she said flatly.
I dressed in a black gown. Let my hair fall back naturally.
Ruby? Black suit, of course. She was born in it.
I wore the necklace I found in her drawer—the one she gave me quietly, without words.
It was beautiful. I looked beautiful.
I reached for my earrings. She was behind me—too close. Her hand brushed mine while reaching for the watch I gave her.
No words.
Just silence. And tension.
In the car, she looked—damn. The kind of dangerous that makes you want to touch the fire just to see how bad it burns.
I pouted, but she didn't even flinch. Eyes on the road, always.
---
We arrived.
Ben greeted us. Ruby's assistant—always polite. I smiled fakely, bowed lightly, wore my mask.
Her hand on my waist? Firm. Possessive. A reminder.
People talked.
Business. Power. Fame. None of it mine.
One man laughed too loud. "So I heard your beautiful wife, Mrs. Aveline, used to dance. Didn't she win competitions?"
The tone wasn't kind. It was mocking.
Ruby's grip on my waist tightened.
"Yes," she said sharply. "My wife loved dance. And if anyone has a problem with that… that's not my problem."
Silence.
Laughter. Nervous. Scattered.
Her eyes stayed cold. I sighed.
Was I falling… alone?
She leaned down, her voice husky in my ear.
"What are you thinking?"
I didn't answer.
Later, she drifted away in conversation. I stood alone, sipping something mild.
Then someone approached.
"Mrs. Aveline," he said, sweet as honey. "I'm Andrew—Ruby's business partner."
I smiled politely. "Nice to meet you."
He asked me for a dance.
I didn't want to be rude.
So I said yes.
---
He barely touched me. Light fingertips.
But I could feel the heat behind me.
A gaze.
I was hoping it shouldn't be her god save me I saw it's her dark intense gaze.
Ruby's.
Shit.
Dance ended.
But Ruby was already there. Hand tight around my waist, too tight. Her eyes—flames.
"Ruby," I said softly, pressing a hand to her chest. I know this mafia could kill anyone without hesitation I had to control her stopped her.
"I don't feel well. Let's go home."
She didn't speak. Just nodded, clipped and cold.
---
The ride was silence and storm.
She sped through streets, eyes dark.
"Ruby—stop it, will you?" I shouted, heart racing.
No response.
Tears slipped down my face.
"Ruby, please…" I reached out, trembling. "I'm scared."
She slowed.
Not a word.
At the villa, she slammed her door. Came around. Opened mine.
Grabbed my wrist—rough.
Dragged me inside.
"Agh—Ruby, stop!" I protested, but she was too strong.
We reached the hallway.
She shoved me back against the wall—caged me in.
Fist slammed into the wall beside my head.
"Even if you don't love me," she whispered darkly, "even if I don't love you…
You. Are. Mine.
Aveline Sun, you're mine. Got it?"
I flinched.
"Ruby, it's my life—"
"Not anymore," she cut me off. "After marrying me, it became mine."
I sank down, heels killing my feet. My whole body trembling.
She leaned in—kissed me.
Hard. Not loving. Not soft.
A claim.
I didn't fight.
But it wasn't because I liked it. It was because I didn't understand it.
---
Then… she picked me up bridal style.
Possessive. Quiet.
Set me on the bed. Knelt down.
Slowly removed my heels.
Her fingers were surprisingly gentle. Massaging the sore spots.
This wasn't anger. This was confusion. Maybe guilt?
She slowly slowly kissing me my neck,my earlobe, my lips,my stomach.
She suddenly stopped and she looked up at me.
Without any other word she climb up on bed and lay beside me.
holding me tightly—like I'd disappear if she didn't.
And me I was trembling cuz of her anger she hold me and, whisper "sleep" not softly not romanticly but not harshly either.
She didn't say sorry.
Didn't say she loved me.
She just held me like I was the only thing keeping her grounded.
She didn't say anything not even sorry but she messaged my feets
She loved me or is it just possesiveness what is it I can't understand.
It's like she's controlling her beast herself and if she couldn't stop herself she might do something.....
---
I was wondering
"She's the one who breaks me…
And the one who holds me."
I stared at the ceiling.
Breathing heavy. Confused.
I didn't know what to feel anymore.
Ruby—was she still ice?
Or just fire trying not to burn me?
---