At the amusement park, she darted around like an excited bird, tugging him along from ride to ride.
I followed behind, a wave of pain crashing through me with every step. The morning’s medication had worn off, so I gulped down another full bottle of painkillers just to keep moving.
In the restroom, Ruby followed me in. She said sarcastically, “You really think a pathetic, washed-up woman like you can compete with me?”
Gone was the obedient act she put on in front of Caleb. Her eyes were now filled with mockery. “I don’t have silver poisoning at all. It’s all fake. Once the bonding ceremony’s done, he’s mine. You really think I’d give him back to you after that?”
I said nothing and kept my eyes lowered. It didn’t matter whether she gave him back or not. I wouldn’t live long enough to see it.
Seeing me like that only made her smirk more. “Look at you—all quiet and weak, like some stray dog on the street. Pathetic.”
She didn’t notice the phone in my pocket. The recording was already running.
I raised my head, my expression blank. “Ruby, I don’t know what you’re trying to say. I agreed to the mate termination contract because I felt sorry for you. Caleb and I are doing just fine. He won’t leave me.”
“Oh, really? We’ll see, then.” She flashed a vicious smile, hooked her arm through mine, and led me outside. Once we stepped through the door, she immediately switched to an affectionate persona.
“Zoe, let’s ride the roller coaster!” Without waiting for an answer, she just dragged me along.
As the coaster climbed higher, I stared at the shrinking ground below and felt the world spin.
By the time it ended, I was barely holding it together. I turned to ask Caleb for support, but Ruby suddenly cried out, “Caleb, I feel so dizzy…”
And just like that, she collapsed into his arms.
He caught her immediately and rushed toward the exit without looking back at me. I had just stepped off the ride. My body was barely functioning as it was.
Watching their backs disappear into the crowd, I felt like everything went black. I coughed up blood and collapsed.
Just before I lost consciousness, I saw Caleb pushing Ruby aside and running toward me. Then, I felt a single tear fall on my face.