It was nearly two in the morning when I left the hospital . Ruby was knocked out on sedatives . Jude curled up in that overpriced baby cot like a prince born into war . The doctors kept their heads down , afraid to speak to me . I told the bodyguards not to let anyone in unless they had a death wish . I drove straight to the glass mansion . The place felt colder than usual . Like something sacred had been ripped out . The lights were still automated , soft glows . bouncing off the marble floors and crystal railings . Everything was perfect . Silent . Empty . Too empty . I walked through the halls . No scent of perfume . No faint sounds of slippers . No humming . Just silence & Cleo's room was wide open . His toys were gone . His storybooks , blankets … All of it cleared out like he never existed . I stepped to the bed . Something caught my eye on the pillow . A ring . Therese wedding ring . & I picked it up slowly . Heavy for something so small . I stared at it until my hand started trembling . She left this . She left me . I'squeezed it in my palm so tight my knuckles cracked . The sound echoed in the silence . I couldn't take it . I turned and slammed my fist into the wall . The plaster cracked . My skin split open . Blood dripped to the polished floor . A mald must've heard it . She peeked from the hallway , eyes wide . She saw the blood , saw the ring in my hand . I turned my head slowly . !! She vanished before I could speak . Smart girl . I pulled out my phone and dialed Carson . My most loyal dog . My most ruthless . He answered instantly . " Sir ? " " I want her found . " I didn't care if my hand was still bleeding . My voice stayed calm . " Use the team . Pay whoever you need to . I don't care if you have to bribe airport staff , stalk her friends , or break into her email . Find her . " " Yes , sir . " "I want access to her accounts . I want her calls tracked , her messages cloned , her locations pinged . I want to know what she eats and where she sleeps . I want to know who breathes near her . " Carson hesitated . " Understood . But what do I tell them if they ask why ? " ! I stood in the middle of the ruined room , still clutching that damn ring , blood running down my wrist . " Tell them I'm taking back what's mine . " There was silence on the line . I continued , voice dropping low . " She walked away first . How dare she . It should've been me who left her . Not the other way around . " I clenched my jaw . * She humiliated me in front of everyone . She disrespected my name . She made me look weak . All those years I gave her … and now she thinks she can grow a spine and just walk off like I'm some side character in her little comeback story ? " " I hissed through my teeth . " " No. She wants war ? I'll give her war . But she'll beg to come back before I'm done . She'll learn the price of defiance . " Carson didn't respond . He didn't have to .. He knew what to do And 12 I just stood there . Alone . With the blood , the silence , and her ring still burning in my hand . RUBY'S POVE The first thing I felt was the sun./ It poured in gently through the white curtains , casting soft light across the silk sheets . The room smelled like flowers and antiseptic . I opened my eyes slowly , like a fragile doll waking from a fever dream . I stretched a little , one hand caressing my belly , the other reaching for the button beside me . Then I saw Jude . I stood in the middle of the ruined room , still clutching that damn ring , blood running down my wrist . " Tell them I'm taking back what's mine . " There was silence on the line . I continued , voice dropping low . " She walked away first . How dare she . It should've been me who left her . Not the other way around . " I clenched my jaw " She humiliated me in front of everyone . She disrespected my name . She made me look weak . All those years I gave her … and now she thinks she can grow a spine and just walk off like I'm some side character in her little comeback story ? " % thissed through my teeth . " No. She wants war ? I give her war . But shell beg to come back before I'm done . She'll learn the price of defiance . " Carson didn't respond . He didn't have to . He knew what to do . " And 1 ? I just stood there . Alone . With the blood , the silence , and her ring still burning in my hand.8 RUBY'S POV The first thing I felt was the sun . It poured in gently through the white curtains , casting soft light across the silk sheets . The room smelled like flowers and antiseptic . I opened my eyes slowly , like a fragile doll waking from a fever dream , I stretched a little , one hand caressing my belly , the other reaching for the button beside me . Then I saw Jude . & Curled up on the guest bed across from mine , little fists tucked under his cheek like some holy angel . Not a single sound from him . Perfect . Just the way I taught him . I turned my head fully , grinning - 8 " Good job , baby , " I whispered , voice like honey . " You act just like Mama . I'm so proud of you . You took Torren's heart like it was nothing . " My phone was on the nightstand . I picked it up and checked the messages . My eyes scanned quickly until I saw what I wanted . Divorce finalized . It's done . Therese is out . Sent by my little shadow . A man who thinks he's working for Torren , but only follows my orders . Like a dog dressed in silk . I couldn't stop the wicked laugh that bubbled from my throat . & Therese Massaro . What a name . What a tired , wasted life . ! I whispered to myself , lips brushing the word like a kiss . " Finally . My turn . " The door creaked . ! I blinked , then instantly softened my face . Innocent . Fragile . Loving . The nurse entered , clipboard in hand . A young one . Kind eyes . " Miss Ruby , how are you feeling ?" she asked . " I touched my belly again and gave her the softest smile . " Much better , thank you . I'm just glad the baby is safe . And my Jude too . God has been so good to me . " She beamed , nodding . " Your vitals look excellent . We'll get you discharged by tonight if all stays normal . " " " Thank you so much ; I said sweetly , eyes wet with emotion i summoned on command . !! She left with a warm goodbye . The moment the door clicked shut , I tilted my head and smiled again but not the sweet one . ! The real one . The smile I wear when I win . I grabbed my phone again and opened my stylist's chat . !! Text me options . Gowns , heels , everything red . I'm taking the throne . I pressed send and leaned back against the pillow . Everything was going just as I planned . Torren was spiraling . Therese was erased . Jude did his part . !! And me ? % was just getting started .