It was her father. Alex Emerald. "Where did you take your mother?" Alex demanded the moment she answered. "She's fine," Ruby said quietly. "She's getting the surgery she needs."
A pause, then his tone shifted, satisfied. "Good. That means you went back to your husband. Tell him I need three million. The company is collapsing. You have to help your father."
Ruby's hand tightened around the phone. "So you can gamble it away again?" she asked softly. "I'm sorry, Dad. I can't. And I don't have three million to give you. You'll have to figure this out on your own from now on."
It was the first time she had ever said no. In the past, every demand, every crisis, she had obeyed. She had sacrificed everything. And still, he couldn't save the company. He couldn't even save her mother.
"How dare you talk to me like that!" Alex roared. "I'm still your father! You owe me! You should be responsible for me!" Ruby swallowed hard, her chest burning.
