Chapter 2

Early the next morning, Grandma called a car. She planned to send the dogs to a shelter, where they might survive.

The dogs seemed to sense something. Heads drooping low, they had none of their usual energy.

Suddenly, Ruby Chow stormed into the yard with a squad of bodyguards, surrounding the entire place.

Hands on her hips, eyes scanning, she barked, "Time's up. Where are you hiding him? Hand over Jack Grayson, now! Or I swear I'll send these mutts straight to the slaughterhouse!"

Grandma stepped in front of the dogs, shielding them with her frail body. Her eyes were clear and firm. "You already desecrated Jack's remains. What more do you want? If you have a score to settle, come at me. Don't hurt these innocent dogs."

Ruby let out a cold, mocking laugh, her face twisted with disgust. "Tell me the truth. Is Jack off working as a male escort now? With that missing tooth, what rich cougar would want him?"

"Getting passed around by ugly old hags every day—what a disgusting sight."

Grandma struck her cane against the ground, her voice rising in defense. "Don't you dare slander Jack. Every dollar he earned was honest labor."

Ruby smirked and pointed at her. "Cut the crap. Hand him over, or I'll tear this place down!"

Just then, Hank Yardley rushed in, clutching his jaw. "Ruby, Jack was your fiancé. If you destroy this place, just imagine how much that would hurt him."

"Even if he knocked out all my teeth, I'd take it. As long as you two can be happy, I'd die without regret."

Ruby pulled him into her arms, her expression suddenly soft—softer than I'd ever seen.

"Hank, how can you be so foolish? We're not the helpless kids we used to be. I can protect you now."

"You're the one I love most. I'm never marrying that bastard, Jack Grayson. I belong to you—and you alone."

Just then, Hank coughed up a mouthful of blood. Ruby noticed, and he quickly wiped it away with his foot.

"I'm fine, Ruby. My teeth will heal soon. I just don't want you fighting with Jack because of me. Seeing you happy is all I've ever wanted."

Ruby looked at him with pity, then spun around, snatched my grandma's cane from her, and shouted, furious, "If anything happens to Hank, Jack Grayson will pay with his life!"

I drifted silently above them, watching her with despair. I didn't need to do anything—I had already died.

The moment they pulled out my last tooth and drained my blood dry, our love ended forever.

Ruby ordered the bodyguards to tie up the dogs. Their terrified howls pierced the air.

The guards began smashing things like looters. They even yanked my grandma's only blanket from the bed and stomped it into the dirt.

Grandma tried to stop them, but was shoved hard to the ground. Her old illness flared up, and she vomited blood from the depths of her gut.

Ruby kicked her in the shoulder. "Cut the act. It doesn't work on me."

Trembling, Grandma reached into her pocket and pulled out a cremation certificate. Her voice was weak but full of sorrow. "Jack is already dead. This proves it."

A flicker of panic crossed Ruby's eyes. She froze, hand reaching for the paper—just as Grandma's phone lit up.

Ruby snatched the phone and saw a recent transfer under my name—$1,000.

She tore the certificate to pieces. "Almost fell for your little act. Jack sold his body to send you money. That filthy money—you spent it without shame?"

Her words pierced my heart like poisoned arrows. That money wasn't what she thought.

It was the result of three grueling jobs—Uber, modeling, and warehouse shifts. I didn't want Grandma to know I was gone, so I had my best buddy, Zach, send the money using my name.

If I hadn't given Ruby access to the secret fund, she'd have nothing now. That money was meant for my wedding.

But Hank fed her lies—that we stole her family's inheritance. If she had trusted me just once, we wouldn't have ended up like this.