Ruby's POV
Stanley released my hand instantly.
"Nothing happened," he said with forced casualness.
"That certainly didn't appear to be nothing!" Kate shot back, marching into the room. "You were clearly holding her hand!"
My pulse hammered against my throat.
In that moment, I reached a decision. If Kate discovered the truth, if she uncovered what had transpired between Stanley and me in the past, I would confess everything. No more deception.
Instead, she declared...
"Stanley, are you harassing Ruby over business matters? That's completely unfair. Elias made that choice, not her. Besides, she's become my friend. I refuse to stand by while you intimidate her."
A trembling exhale escaped me. Relief flooded through my system, though disappointment lingered beneath the surface.
This secret between Stanley and me was an explosive device waiting to detonate. The only uncertainty was timing.
