Page 116 of His Ruin
He was just making a joke, Melody.
I scrub a hand down my face, the events of my dream still plaguing me with every steamy detail when I notice that something is missing. I turn my hand over, my brow drawing as my ring finger rests bare. I blink, the sounds around me fading as a memory slams forcefully through my mind.
Kaden bit down on my engagement ring before slowly pulling it off with his teeth and spitting it behind the couch. I can still hear the distinct sound it made as it danced across the marble—a light twinkling.
My eyes shift to the kitchen, and I see his back is turned to me as he smears two pieces of bread with mayonnaise. I tilt forward slightly, not drawing any attention to myself as I peer over the backrest of the couch. There, resting on the floor, sits my ring, shining with the afternoon light from the terrace. I sit back, my head slowly turning to face my cup of hot chocolate resting on the coffee table. It’s cold now, but I don’t need it to be warm to know exactly what happened.
Did he fucking drug me?
I wasn’t tired before we sat down to watch the movie…
Anger boils in my veins, making my teeth grind until…I let it go. I don’t know what’s come over me, but I’m tired of men thinking they can possess and claim without me putting up a fight. Dylan has already strained our relationship to its breaking point, and with the flurry of text messages I sent him that are still unanswered, he isn’t here to have a say in what I do. With that being said, I’m also not giving Kaden the benefit.
He can have his little games, but I’ll be leaving here in two days with my fucking will and my dignity. That’s something I refuse to let either of them shatter.
I hate what I’m feeling towards Dylan. It’s starting to morph into resentment over the missed time and empty promises. He treats his job like it’s his first priority, and I’m the second, taking a backseat as he navigates us to the top.
But I don’t feel like I’m on top with him.
I feel like an obstacle that stands in his way, blurring the finish line that would be clear if I just moved.
So, I’ll move. In the meantime, my ‘dreams’ are just going to get crazier. Can’t stop a girl from fantasizing.
Kaden skirts around the sofa, holding up a plate for me. “Your sandwich.”
“Thank you,” I smile, taking it from him. Every ounce of evidence that I’m onto him is wiped away as we eat in comfortable silence.
Meanwhile, I’m acutely aware of my diamond ring resting on the floor behind us, discarded and out of mind.
Tea.
He made me drug-lacedtea.
I hold the mug in my hands, the minty scent wafting to me as we stand in the kitchen. My eyes snap to him. “I don’t drink tea.”
He scratches at the back of his neck. “It’s a nice warm drink. I was thinking we could sit and talk like we used to…”
That sounds…good. Even if he does have an ulterior motive behind it. When was the last time Dylan sat down with me and actually listened to anything I had to say? I feel as if I’ve been locked up, speaking only during my weekly calls with Kodi to gossip and keep up with her constantly changing love life.
“I would like that,” I smile before resting my mug down on the marble counter and bouncing up. I miss, and the edge cuts into my spine as I hiss.
Kaden sucks his teeth before his warm, big hands grab my waist. I bite back my sound of surprise as he lifts me effortlessly onto the marble. I grab my mug, hiding my face as I take a generous sip.
I did a little research on sleep aids while Kaden was visiting with Dad earlier, out on the terrace. If I’m doing this, then I’m going to have fun with it. He thinks he’s so slick…
“Mmm,” I moan, pulling the rim away from my lips. “It has a metallic taste to it. That’s odd.”
His brain buffers as something passes behind his eyes. “Uh, it’s just the brand I used.”
Good save.
“So,” I bounce on the counter, tilting my head. “What did you want to talk about?”
He chuckles, his lips quirking into that charming half-smile. “Isn’t it obvious? I want to talk about you, Melody.”
My brows rise over the rim of my cup. “Me? What about me?”
He waves a hand. “Everything. I’ve missed six years, and I need a crash course on everything Sunny related. Do you still like roses?”
