Forbidden Passion

Ruby gradually felt it becoming harder to breathe, her brain sending signals of suffocation from lack of oxygen. Desperately, she closed her eyes, and two teardrops rolled down from her thick, long eyelashes. Donovan's eyes were filled with hatred, his black attire making him look like a demon from hell, staring at Ruby with a terrifying intensity.

There was no longer any deep love or tenderness in Donovan's eyes, only hate. His gaze seemed to pierce through Ruby's heart.

Ruby could even hear the creaking sound of Donovan's hand tightening around her neck. For a moment, she almost thought he would snap her neck. Ruby thought, 'Maybe it's better to die.'

But in the next second, Ruby was pushed away, falling into a nearby flower bed. The branches scratched her skin, and pain instantly surged through her. Fresh air rushed into her lungs. Ruby ignored the pain, sitting down by the edge of the flower bed, coughing violently from the sudden intake of air.

Her throat felt terrible, and Ruby coughed until tears and snot ran down her face, looking very disheveled.

Donovan looked down at Ruby, his lips coldly pressed together, showing no sympathy for her weakness.

Having gone through a crisis once, Donovan would not easily trust Ruby again.

"Stop pretending in front of me, Ruby. I'm telling you, I'm back, and your good days are over," Donovan said sinisterly.

Ruby didn't want Donovan to see her in such a state. She turned slightly to block his view. "I know you hate me. I don't want to justify what I've done. You can take revenge on me however you want; I won't resist." Donovan sneered, "You've learned quite a bit about manipulating people over the years, haven't you?"

Ruby knew Donovan hated her, so no matter what she said, he would always misinterpret her intentions.noveldrama

Seeing her silence, Donovan grew angrier. "Tell me, how did you convince Phoebe to take you in? She usually seems smart, but she must have been out of her mind to let you move into her home, putting such a ticking time bomb right next to her."

Ruby suddenly looked up and glared at Donovan. "I won't let you talk about Phoebe like that."

Donovan slowly walked over, and when he stopped beside Ruby, she flinched in fear. Donovan looked down at her, "Still pretending in front of me?"

Ruby lowered her head.

The current Donovan was cold and indifferent, like a porcupine covered in spikes, hurting Ruby all over, but she could only endure it.

"I owe you. Don't take it out on others."

Donovan bent down and lifted her chin. Ruby frowned and tried to pull away, but his grip was firm, not allowing her to break free.

Their eyes met, and Ruby saw deep hatred and mockery in Donovan's cold eyes.

"Of course, I won't take it out on others." Donovan's long fingers slowly slid from Ruby's chin to her neck, covered in bruises, making Ruby's skin crawl. "But I will make you wish you were dead." Donovan's cold voice echoed in her ears. He pushed her away once more and turned, his tall figure striding back toward the villa.

"Get inside!"

Ruby shuddered, staring at Donovan's disappearing figure. Her face felt cold. She raised her hand to wipe it and realized her cheeks were wet with tears.

Ruby stared at the open door for a while before pushing herself up from the ground. Her elbow had been deeply cut by a branch, and blood was seeping out, looking gruesome.

She hadn't noticed it earlier, but now that she saw it, the pain in her elbow became intense.

From inside, Donovan's harsh voice rang out, "Do I need to drag you in?"

Ruby shivered and quickly walked towards the villa. Passing by the box of oranges, she bent down to pick it up and stepped onto the porch.

Entering the villa, Ruby felt a cold draft from inside, making her shiver.

Ruby stood at the entrance, looking inside. The layout was similar to Phoebe's house but decorated in a more masculine style.

The black, white, and gray tones were simple yet elegant, though they exuded a cold atmosphere.

Ruby took off her shoes, not daring to look for slippers in the shoe cabinet, and walked in barefoot.

The living room was large. Donovan stood by the huge floor-to-ceiling window, holding a cigarette and slowly exhaling smoke.

Ruby walked over, placing the oranges on the coffee table. She stood there, looking at Donovan's cold back, her eyes welling up with tears again.

It had been over three years since Ruby last saw Donovan. But Donovan would never smile at her again.

Ruby couldn't suppress her sadness. When Donovan turned around, she quickly lowered her head to avoid his piercing gaze.

"I need a maid. Starting today, you'll come here every day to clean and cook," Donovan said coldly.

Ruby stared at her toes, not feeling humiliated by Donovan treating her as a maid. "Okay, as long as I can atone, I'll do whatever you want."

Donovan sneered, "Ms. Adams, you really are adaptable."

Ruby pressed her lips together. "But I might not be able to come in the morning to cook for you, but I can do lunch and dinner."

Donovan exhaled a puff of smoke, looking at Ruby with disgust. "I don't care when you come. Just make sure I don't see you or find any trace of you."

"And don't tell Evelyn and Phoebe that I'm alive for now. I have things to take care of and can't show myself yet," Donovan narrowed his eyes. "Ruby, if you dare spread the news that I'm alive, I'll make you pay!" Ruby bit her lip. "I won't say anything."

"Get out!" Donovan turned away, coldly ordering her to leave.

Ruby finally looked up, staring at Donovan's back. He had been so gentle back then, but now he was so cold.

They were so close, yet it felt like a chasm separated them.

The past harm had been done, and Ruby could only try to make amends. Even if Donovan would never forgive her, Ruby was determined never to betray him again.

Ruby looked away, turning and walking out in desolation.

Returning to Phoebe's villa, Ruby carried the oranges inside. Making sure no one noticed, she quickly went upstairs to her room. She walked into the bathroom and saw the bruises on her neck, frowning slightly. The bruises were so obvious. How could Ruby hide them from Evelyn and the others?

Thinking for a moment, Ruby found a scarf in the wardrobe and tied it around her neck, covering the bruises. She also took some medicine to treat the wound on her arm.

Afraid Evelyn would notice, Ruby changed into a long-sleeved shirt to cover the wound.

Fortunately, it was already late autumn, and the temperature in Kedora dropped significantly in the morning and evening. Wearing long sleeves wouldn't attract Evelyn's attention. After disguising herself, Ruby went downstairs to the kitchen to make dinner.