Chapter 51: Chapter 51

Chapter 51 The dining room fell into a heavy silence after my accusation.

Get 5 = Menu I’d reached my breaking point. Turning to Kane’s parents, I spoke with forced composure, “There’s something you need to know.”

A flash of panic crossed Ruby’s face before she quickly masked it with a practiced smile. “What are you talking about? What have I supposedly done to you?”

I grabbed my phone from the table and unlocked it with my fingerprint, scoffing at her performance.

While I searched for Ruby’s message from the day after the party, Kane’s icy voice cut through the tension. “Ruby, what is she talking about? What did you do?”

I glanced up to see him staring at Ruby with what seemed like a warning look. Ruby bristled at his questioning. “Kane, are you seriously taking her word over mine?”

Kane’s expression hardened as he turned to me. “Show me what evidence you have.”

I returned my attention to my phone. “Got it!” I announced, pulling up Ruby’s message.

From my seat next to Ruby, I could see her hand clenched tight under the table. I was the only one who noticed her nervous tell.

Perfect timing to expose her true nature.

Kane snatched my phone and studied the screen intently.

“K–Kane, please trust me,” Ruby whimpered, tears welling up.

“What’s going on?” Garrett demanded.

+ explained how Ruby had maliciously leaked my private conversation with my foster father on social media to destroy my reputation.

Diana gasped softly while Garrett shot Ruby a furious look.

After studying my phone, Kane turned to me. “Finished with your accusations?”

His question caught me off guard. He slid my phone back across the table and glared at me. “I’ve told you before she’s innocent.

Why are you targeting Ruby? Can’t you just deal with your own problems and leave her alone?”

1 As he berated me, I stared at him in disbelief. It felt like déjà vu him scolding me for supposedly bullying Ruby, something I’d never done.

What was I thinking? Of course he’d defend his precious Ruby.

“Kane, she showed you proof,” Garrett interjected.

Kane shook his head. “Dad, that’s not even Ruby’s number. It just says it’s from Ruby. She wouldn’t do something like this.”

Diana frowned. “She could have sent it from another number.”

Right on cue, Ruby burst into tears her go–to move for manipulating Kane.

“Selene, I get that you’re upset, but these accusations make no sense. Why would I do that? How would I even get those screenshots? Only you and your father had them. Are you accusing him too? What would he gain from this?”

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Menu Ruby skillfully twisted the narrative to make me look like I was just jealous and trying to smear her reputation.

Kane’s parents exchanged uncertain looks, caught between my credible accusations and Ruby’s convincing defense.

I regretted staying here. If I’d listened to my family, I wouldn’t be dealing with this pain again.

“Stop crying,” Kane soothed. “People are just jealous because you’re with the Alpha. Let them talk – they can’t take your place.”

He returned to his meal as if nothing had happened.

“Selene, sweetie, there must be some misunderstanding. Don’t worry about it. Let’s eat-”

I cut Diana off by standing up.

“I’m done.”

Garrett protested, “But you haven’t touched your food.”

I looked at Kane, who remained indifferent.

“Sorry, Uncle Garrett, but I lost my appetite after hearing all this nonsense.”

Kane stopped chewing and looked up, his expression daring me to say another word.

My wolf stirred inside me, bristling at both the humiliation and Kane’s cold stare. She wasn’t about to let either of us be disrespected.

I gave Kane a sarcastic smile. “Alpha Kane, no one’s targeting your precious girlfriend. Stop assuming I’m jealous of her- even slightly. What she has now? I walked away from that five years ago by choice. I don’t want it back, so she can have it all to herself.”