To the Love of My Life

“Ruby Gregory, it seems I’ve overestimated you!” Steve Burton spoke, his tone cold. He had thought she would refuse, but it seemed he had thought too much.

What did he mean, he had overestimated her… Ruby didn’t understand the meaning behind Steve’s words. She lifted her eyelids, stealing a glance at him, only to find that his gaze had become frighteningly cold at some point, sending a chill down her spine.

She quickly lowered her gaze, avoiding his stare.

Initially, when she returned from abroad, she thought her nervousness around him was just stress. But later, she realized she was actually afraid of Steve, and her fear continued to grow. She feared his cruel, hurtful words and the humiliation he could cause her in front of others.

“You really enjoy debasing yourself!” Steve’s voice was dripping with undisguised sarcasm, his whole being exuding a violent storm. “Since you don’t think highly of yourself, there’s no need for me to be polite with you either! ” Without waiting for Ruby to react, Steve pushed her down onto the car seat.

Her body tensed up, her fingertips trembling violently.

The car’s space was rather small; Steve didn’t even bother taking off their clothes before forcing himself on her. She felt humiliated and pained—her eyes tightly closed, she tried to forget her own indignity.

Just like the last time, she clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palm. Yet, she couldn’t feel any pain from that, as the hurt he caused her was incomparably more excruciating.

His actions became harsher and more brutal, as if he was venting his frustrations on her. She could scarcely endure it—she felt tears burning at the backs of her eyes, but she couldn’t cry. She could only grit her teeth and bear it, even comforting herself at the bottom of her heart.

She told herself it was okay; she didn’t need to care about the humiliation he was causing her now. As long as she became pregnant with his child, the Burtons would never allow their flesh and blood to go unclaimed—especially since their families were neighbors, they would definitely arrange for them to get married. Once they were married, she wouldn’t have to ingratiate herself to him or walk on eggshells to please him. Their marriage would secure the Gregory family’s business. At that point, she would only need to be a well-behaved mistress of the Burton household—she didn’t need a loving marriage, mere mutual respect would suffice, or even a cold, distant relationship. Once they were married, she could stay as far away from him as possible…

Ruby felt her nails breaking in her clenched palms, a sticky liquid seeping out. She knew it was blood.

She never knew she could endure so much.

Finally, Steve stopped. Inwardly, Ruby let out a sigh of relief, feeling as if she had been revived from the brink of death in the depths of hell..