Novels by Ruth Benneth

Daniel’s POV I had expected my father to be gone by morning, but when I got down to the downstairs lounge, his face was the first thing that greeted me. He was wearing that wild, annoying smile that somehow managed to crawl under my skin and settle there like an old wound refusing to heal. Annabel walked beside me, too calm, or maybe too ashamed to meet anyone’s eyes. I’d managed to drag her out of bed after she’d insisted she wasn’t ready to face my mother yet. She didn’t know how to look at her, not after everything that had happened. But what she didn’t know was that there was a bigger issue at hand, one that would make Mom forget about us for now. Richard’s eyes found us first, and his voice echoed excitedly in the hall, dragging everyone’s attention. “Look who’s here.” He clapped a light hand in the air. “My son, in whom I’m well pleased.” My jaw clenched, my heart twisted, aching so badly I thought it might burst out of my chest. Annabel’s fingers slid into my fist, her

Fiona’s POV “You left me with nothing,” I said hoarsely. “You broke me, Richard. You made me doubt myself until there was nothing left to save.” He tilted his head slightly, a bitter smile curving his lips. “Don’t sell lies to me, I was once a perfect husband until life happened to me, you shamed me of being a nobody, yet here you are, married to a man not much different from me, while I’m the monster. Don’t tell me you did all this for love, Fiona. Because you hated me back then, just because I was poor. You made Daniel see me as nothing but a worthless man, someone who couldn’t provide for his family. You never once let me touch you after I lost my job. And what did you expect? I had to find another woman for my pleasure. And now look at you….. married to a man who couldn’t even clear his loan. Tell me, was he any better than me?” His voice cracked, pain slipping through the anger. “Answer me, Fiona….. why did you make me the bad guy in front of my own son?” “I did it for survi

Fiona’s POV After hours of pretending to be happy before everyone, I finally managed to end the chaos Richard was about to create. Now, it was time to run, before nemesis caught up with me. My heels echoed as I walked toward the exit, every step heavier than the one before. I could still feel Daniel’s eyes on me, heavy, searching, filled with a thousand questions, like he couldn’t quite tell who I was to him anymore. That same look I had once given Richard when I found him with another woman. And now it was my turn to be the monster. “Running away already?” His voice slid through the silence like a knife. I froze. Slowly, I turned. Richard stood by the doorway, hands in his pockets, a deadly smirk playing on his lips. His tie was loose, his face still carrying the arrogance of a man who thought he’d just won. “I’m not running,” I said quietly, though I could hear the tremor in my voice. “The night is over. You’ve done enough damage.” He chuckled under his breath. “

Daniel’s POV “Richard,” mom whispered under her breath, her fingers tightening into a fist. All eyes turned toward him, but his gaze found only me. For a moment, no one moved. The hotel pianist faltered mid-song, and the room held its breath. “Son, good to see you again,” he said confidently, his voice carrying that familiar authority that could silence a room in seconds. My pulse pounded. “What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” I gritted through my teeth, stepping forward. He smiled faintly, that same sharp, cutting smile he wore the day he threw my mom out along with me. “It’s Christmas, son. Family should be together.” I scoffed dryly, releasing my weight to one side while I tilted my head, watching him longer than usual. Fury burned in my chest, heavy and unyielding. Mom moved toward us, her heels clicking too loud on the floor. “Richard, you have no right to be here,” she said firmly, her gaze burning through his. “Oh, I’m not here to fight,” he said smoothly, hi

Daniel’s POV The resort glowed beautifully, every window dripping gold and silver lights. Snow took over the balconies, and soft music drifted from the lounge where families gathered around a tall, shimmering Christmas tree. It should have felt warm, peaceful, like the holidays I had solely spent with mom. But all I could feel was the tension tightening every breath I took. I know I have acted strong around Annabel, I had behaved like none of this mattered, so far we still loved each other. Yes. I don’t give a fuck about what the media is spreading about me, but my mom….. I have not seen her since last night, and that bothers me a lot. She should have been the first person to confront us. I knew she must have seen the news. There is no way she hasn't. Could something be wrong with her? Is she sick? I had left Annabel in the room so she could have her personal space and maybe not feel choked up by my presence. Now, I have one mission. Find my mom, look into her eyes, and apol

Annabel’s POV I didn’t go to my hotel room, I couldn’t. The moment we stepped out of the elevator, I had followed Daniel straight to his room instead. Thankfully Stephanie was nowhere in sight. I sat at the edge of the bed, elbows pressed against my knees, groaning, as Daniel handed me my phone. “You might want to look at this,” he said, his tone too calm for what was happening. I frowned, taking the phone from him. My heart sank. My fingers zoomed in on the pictures. There we were. On every platform, every feed, every gossip page imaginable. The photo was too close, too intimate, it showed Daniel holding me from behind, our mouth locked too, kissing. His eyes on me, mine on him, and nothing about it could be explained away. The headline mocked me, bold and merciless. “The CEO of Strokes company found in an intimate position with his stepsister. Just like I predicted.” The comment sections each one sharper than blade. Slut. Gold digger. I have always suspected this. Fr