Chapter 116
Dylan POV
The street feels too quiet like the world is holding its breath just to spite me. my footsteps echo off the sidewalk while the sting of humiliation gnaws at the back of my throat.
i keep my hood up jaw clenched so hard it throbs.every direction i look Aiden’s face mocks me.a giant billboard ahead flashes the replay of that stupid livestream everyone is obsessed with.
Aiden and Taylor laughing together her falling into his arms the crowd eating it up like its the sweetest thing they have ever tasted.
my phone vibrates again.Another notification. Another trending clip. Another headline crowning Aiden the golden boy who “finally redeemed himself.”
i mutter under my breath, “unbelievable.”
people on the sidewalk glance up at the billboard with soft smiles admiring him like hes some sort of reformed prince.my stomach twists. That live stream should have been my moment. My chance to expose him.
My chance to flip the story. Instead the whole thing blindsided me, flipped everything upside down, made me look petty instead of right.
The investors pulled out the second the internet shifted in Aiden’s favor. My inbox is a graveyard of apologies, unsubscribes, and “unfortunately, we’ll have to reconsider.”
All because I didn’t get the evidence I needed.
That livestream ruined it.
i shove my phone into my pocket harder than necessary. ” it wasnt my fault.” The words slip out, tight, angry. anyone would have failed with a setup like that.”
someone bumps into my shoulder snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts. “watch where you are going.”
the voice is sharp irritated.
I step back, ready to snap something back. But then I see her.
Ruby.
Taylor’s kid sister. Fifteen. A familiar face from the periphery of my past–usually quiet, always watching, tagging along behind Taylor like a shadow with an attitude.
((
her mouth twists the second she recognizes me.her arms fold across her chest like armor.the resentment in her eyes hits me before she even opens her mouth.
Perfect.
“Ruby,“i say giving my voice the smooth warmth i reserve for moments like this. ” didnt expect to see you out here.” I nod politely. “How have you and the family been?”
i dont care.not even a little.
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Chapter 116
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But she doesn’t know that.
Ruby scoffs, shaking her head like the question itself is offensive. ” we are fine.“her jaw tightens annoyance radiating off her. “Taylor’s… thriving. As usual.”
there it is- the bitterness.
Sharp. Raw. Unfiltered.
i tilt my head just slightly giving her space to keep talking.
And she does.
“Everything just works out for her,” Ruby mutters, eyes darting away like she doesn’t want me reading her too easily. “She gets all the attention. All the praise. All the chances.”
There’s a tremble building in her voice–not weakness, just something bruised.
I let my brows lift in mild surprise. ” things rough for you lately?”
she exhales hard like shes been holding something in for months. ” she didnt even support me when i needed her. Not once.”
My silence nudges her on.
“When I wanted to run away with my boyfriend… she shut me down,” Ruby spits out. “Said it was stupid. Said I was stupid.told me i wasnt thinking clearly.”
she rolls her eyes so hard it almost looks painful. ” of course she didnt listen. She never listens. Everything has to be her way.”
a tiny spark lights in my chest.
Opportunity.
the kind that walks up to you and practically begs to be used,.
“Taylor always thinks she knows best,“i say quietly as if im reluctantly agreeing. “I remember.”
Ruby’s eyes flick to mine, hungry for validation.
And then she does it–she mentions Aiden.
“Now she’s got this perfect thing going with Aiden.” Bitterness sharpens her tone. “Everyone loves her more now. The internet. The fans. Even he does. She always gets everything.”
Her jealousy blooms like wildfire.
A perfect opening.
A perfect weakness.
Í lower my voice, leaning in just a little. “Ruby…“She tenses. Suspicious. Guard up.
Good.
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Chapter 116
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suspicion means shes thinking emotionally not logically.
“i dont know if i should say this, “i begin letting hesitation slip into my tone like im debating it., ” you probably… didnt hear what really happened.”
Ruby stiffens. Every muscle goes still. “what are you talking about?”
i glance around us as if worried someone might overhear., Then I drop my tone even lower.
“I mean… I figured you knew.“Knew what? hangs in the air between us like bait.
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