Page 167 of My Ruthless Husband

He sets down the stack of papers and leans back in his chair. “I’m listening.”

“I-I wanted to thank you,” I begin, my voice faltering as I gather my thoughts. “About Vicky. I didn’t expect you to listen… let alone bring her back.” I confess, breath catching as he stands.

“Come here.”

I hesitate for a moment before walking around the desk to stand before him.

His fingers grip my chin, tilting my face up to meet his gaze. His thumb brushes over my bottom lip, the action so intimate, it leaves me breathless. “Are you happy?”

My mind blanks for a second. Happy? How do I even begin to answer that? This twisted, dangerous world I’m trapped in offers no room for happiness. But I think of Vicky, the only sliver of peace I’ve had in days. “Yes,” I whisper, because it’s the truth.

“Good,” he murmurs, tucking a loose curl behind my ear. “What else did you want to talk about?”

I hesitate, the truth lodged in my throat like a blade. I can’t ignore it any longer. “Melissa.”

His hand drops, his face unreadable. “What about her?”

“Did you get her fired?” I ask, attempting to get the truth out from him. “You know, after knowing what she did?”

Damian sinks back into his chair, pulling me onto his lap as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. My breath catches in my throat, the sensation of his body beneath mine both thrilling and terrifying.

His arm wraps around my waist, his hand resting possessively on my hip. “The club owner took care of it.”

I search his face, but there’s nothing. “So she’s... jobless?”

“For now,” he says, burying his face in the curve of my neck, kissing the sensitive skin with maddening slowness.

“Damian...” I try to pull away, but his lips trail lower. I call out his name again but he ignores me, tugging my dress off my shoulder. “Are you even listening to me?”

His mouth moves along my collarbone, lazy, unhurried. “Hmm,” is the only sound he makes, clearly enjoying my frustration.

My hands push against his chest, but it’s like pushing a wall. “Don’t you think it’s odd for a woman from her background to be a waitress.”

“I don’t think about irrelevant things.”

“But I do!” I snap, yanking his head back by the hair, forcing him to look at me. “Did you do something you shouldn’t have?” The question slips out, my stomach twisting in dread even before he answers.

“Why bother asking when you already know the answer?”

My breath catches in my throat, the realization hitting me like a blow. “You... caused her accident?” I choke out.

Damian’s smile fades, replaced by something harder. “She deserved it.”

I pull away and stagger back from him. “That’s a crime, Damian! She could have died!”

“She’s lucky she didn’t,” he replies, completely unaffected. “I don’t let anyone hurt what’s mine.”

My pulse quickens as panic rises. This isn’t protection; this is madness. “You… you have no right to ruin lives like that,” I whisper, backing away.

“I have every right. She hurt you, and she paid the price. End of story.”

“You committed a crime! You’re going to end up in—”

“In prison? Who would testify against me?” His voice is cool. “You?” The arrogance in his voice sends a shiver down my spine. I’m too stunned.

“I can’t believe this! You don’t feel any remorse at all.”

“Why should I?” He rises to his feet again. “She got what was coming to her.”

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