Chapter 3 Even after three years as husband and wife , sharing a bed was still a rare occurrence . Gabriel once claimed he couldn't sleep with anyone beside him . But Violet knew better - it wasn't just " anyone " he couldn't sleep next to . It was her . She also knew he'd thought long and hard about how to explain giving her room to Ruby . But when she didn't protest and gave in without resistance , it seemed to throw him off . " Sure , she'd said with a shrug . " Most of my stuff's in there anyway . I'll just clear it out ." It wasn't like it mattered when she moved . The outcome was the same . 1/11 Chapter 3 + 5 Points But the second she mentioned taking " everything " , Gabriel almost reacted- words halfway out of his mouth before Ruby chimed in sweetly , " Thanks , Vivi . " Violet said nothing . She leaned down and started dragging a box toward the stairs . It was overloaded , heavy . Her foot caught on something - a sharp sliver of glass hidden beneath the furniture . She fell , hard . Her knee smacked the ground , and shards sliced into her skin . The pain hit instantly , radiating up her spine and setting her nerves on fire . Her lips pressed into a tight line as she fought back a sound . 2/11 Chapter 3 + 5 Points Gabriel didn't see it happen . Ruby had already pulled him away . She stayed there for a moment , motionless on the floor , shaking . Then a warm drop splashed onto the tile , followed by another . Tears , slow and soundless . Over at the Martins ' , Gabriel never let Ruby lift a thing . " Our Rue is a little princess , he'd say with that soft indulgence . " She should be treated like one ." But Violet ? Back when she was just the maid's daughter , she carried buckets , scrubbed floors , hauled crates - got hurt all the time , and no one noticed . Now she had a title . She was Gabriel's wife . A rich man's daughter . 3/11 Chapter 3 + 5 Points Still , nothing had changed . Ruby was the one people looked out for . Without hesitation . Without thinking twice . Violet had learned to accept it . It took her all afternoon to get her belongings sorted . By the time the sun dipped low , the last box was loaded onto the truck . Gabriel watched , frown tugging at his brow . " You didn't need to get rid of so much ," he said . " Rue's just here for a bit . Once she's gone , you'll move back . What's the point ? " Something about her felt … off to him lately . She was too composed . Too quiet . " They're old , Violet replied , her tone flat . 4/11 Chapter 3 + 5 Points " Figured it was time to clear some space ." " You're not the type to waste things ." No. She wasn't . She'd grown up knowing how to stretch every dollar . Nothing got tossed without a reason . But she smiled faintly . " They've been around a long time . Thought I'd make room . Out with the old , you know ? " Just like people , she thought . She sounded reasonable enough . Pushing further would only make him seem petty , so Gabriel let it drop . " There's an auction tonight " he said instead . " I was invited . You're coming . So is Rue . " 5/11 Chapter 3 + 5 Points She opened her mouth to say no , but he cut her off before she could . " You're my secretary . I can't show up without one . " She looked at him , a thousand unspoken words welling up . " Oh , but bringing Ruby's fine ? " she wanted to say . But instead , she just nodded . One last thing before walking away for good . Night fell . Inside the auction hall , the place glowed under harsh , dazzling lights - every corner lit like daylight . The room buzzed with people who mattered -slick suits , smooth talkers , the kind that made or broke fortunes . The Bennetts had risen fast in the past 6/11 Chapter 3 + 5 Points couple of years , and the host , Taylor , wasted no time coming over to greet them . " Mr. Bennett . Right this way . Your seats are prepared . " He pointed to two reserved chairs . " I heard you recently got married ? This second seat must be for your wife . " Everything froze . Just for a breath . Gabriel had gone to great lengths to keep his marriage quiet . It wasn't supposed to be public knowledge . Violet turned to him , silent , waiting . Two women . One seat . He didn't even hesitate . 7/11 Chapter 3 + 5 Points " I'm not married ," he said coolly . " Not sure where you heard that . " Taylor blinked in confusion . " And these ladies ? " Gabriel stepped forward and reached for Ruby's hand . " This is Ruby . Daughter of the CEO of the Martin Corporation ." " Ah , Miss Martin . " Taylor nodded respectfully . Then , after a pause , Gabriel motioned toward Violet . " That's my secretary ." Violet didn't flinch . She already knew how 8/11 Chapter 3 + 5 Points this would play out . But that didn't stop the slow , burning ache in her chest . Still , she kept her head high and stood tall . Gabriel and Ruby sat down side by side . Violet remained behind them , on her feet . Maybe it was the cold air . Or maybe it was everything piling up . But a sharp pain cut through her abdomen , sudden and stabbing . One hand went to her stomach . Quietly , she turned and slipped out of the hall toward the restroom - like she was running . 9/11