When I Flash-Married a Billionaire, My Ex Went on a Hunger Strike novel Chapter 44

"You… you’re just jealous that Eugene fell in love with me and left you! You’re twisted, and now you’ve destroyed the symbol of our love.

“This was all calculated. You stole it first, then broke it, and you still have the nerve to call me petty?

“Dad, Mom, this time it’s really her fault. You have to stand up for me..."

If this was a contest of theatrics, Ruby wasn’t about to fall behind.

She played the victim first, then flipped the script by confessing with a tearful act of repentance.

"Yes! I took Mom’s bracelet, I was trying to frame her. But that necklace was a gift from Eugene. It’s a symbol of our love!

“I treasure it more than anything—why would I hand it over to her so carelessly?

“She has HIV! What if it got contaminated? I would never take that risk. She took it out of jealousy and broke it on purpose. She's malicious!"

She sobbed as she spoke, gasping between her words.

When she realized the family was still silent, she suddenly dropped to her knees with a loud thud.

"Mom, I’m sorry... I was wrong to take your bracelet. Punish me however you want. Hit me, scold me…"

She grabbed Lilian’s hand and slapped herself in the face.

Lilian couldn’t bear to hit her.

Seeing her younger daughter cry like that, clearly heartbroken over the necklace, her heart softened even more.

Any desire to scold her disappeared instantly.

"Enough. Get up. What kind of behavior is this?" Lilian pulled her up and gently wiped her tears.

"Just don’t do such things again. We’ll let this go."

Ruby sniffled, pitiful and tear-streaked, nodding with a choked voice. "I understand. I’m sorry, Mom..."

Watching it unfold, Adora felt her anger and pain surge all over again.

When she made a mistake, it was unforgivable.

But Ruby?

She lied, framed her, twisted the truth, and somehow, it was still dismissed with a simple “let this go”?

Adora wanted to argue, to call out the injustice, but she knew better.

Her family had abandoned her long ago.

Speaking up would only invite more humiliation.

Humiliation washed over her in waves.

"Adora Matthews!" she shrieked, her voice cracking with fury.

Adora raised an eyebrow, pretending to misunderstand. "Not enough? Alright, let’s make it six."

She pulled out another stack from her bag and flung it at Ruby again, hitting her squarely and making her stumble back.

The rest of the family stood frozen, stunned by the sight of Adora throwing money around like it was pocket change.

Ruby’s face had gone numb from the impact.

She stared at the six thousand dollars scattered across the floor in shock and frustration.

"Where... where did you get all this money? Don’t tell me you sold yourself!"

Adora didn’t flinch.

She smiled coldly and leaned right into it.

"Sharp guess. Now why don’t you try figuring out who I sold to?"

Without missing a beat, she took Ruby’s accusation and flipped it into her next move.