chapter 9

The pharmacy bag cut into Ruth’s fingers as she climbed the stairs.

She didn’t slow down, even when her chest tightened, even when the dim hallway swayed slightly under the flickering bulb. She told herself it was exhaustion. It had been her excuse for everything lately.

Home waited at the end of the corridor.

She paused outside the door just long enough to school her face into something neutral.

The door opened before she knocked.

Chloe stood there, arms crossed, lips already curved into mild disapproval.

“You’re late,” she said.

Ruth lifted the bag slightly. “Pharmacy.”

Chloe’s eyes flicked to it, sharp and assessing, then back to Ruth’s face lingering too long, as if searching for cracks.

“Hm.”

She stepped aside without another word.

The apartment smelled like cheap disinfectant and overcooked rice. From the couch, her brother looked up, eyes lighting instantly.

“Ruthie!”

That smile….too big for a face that thin….hit her harder than Chloe’s cold stare ever could.

She crossed the room and crouched in front of him, ignoring the way her knees protested.

“I got it,” she said softly.

Relief washed over his face. “I knew you would.”

Chloe snorted from the kitchen. “Of course she did. Ruth always plays the hero.”

Ruth didn’t respond. She tucked the blanket tighter around her brother’s legs, smoothing it carefully, like if she got this right, something else might stop falling apart.

“How do you feel today?” she asked.

“Okay,” he said. “Better.”

She smiled, small but real.

When she stood, the room tilted.

Just for a second.

She reached for the counter, steadying herself.

Chloe noticed.

Her eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing,” Ruth said too quickly. “Just tired.”

“You’re always tired,” Chloe replied. “Funny how that happens when you come back with money.”

Ruth set the pharmacy bag on the table. The plastic crinkled loudly in the silence.

She began lining the bottles neatly, her hands steady by force alone.

Chloe leaned against the doorway. “So,” she said casually, “where were you really today?”

Ruth didn’t look up. “I told you.”

Chloe laughed softly. “You always do. And yet you never say enough.”

Their brother shifted uncomfortably. “Chloe…..”

“Stay out of it,” Chloe snapped, eyes never leaving Ruth.

Ruth’s fingers paused.

She could feel Chloe circling, looking for weakness the way predators did.

“You disappear,” Chloe continued. “You come back looking wrecked. And suddenly bills are paid.” She tilted her head. “What did you trade this time?”

Ruth’s throat burned.

“I didn’t trade anything,” she said quietly.

Chloe stepped closer. “Then explain the bruises.”

Ruth stiffened.

She turned slowly.

“They’re none of your business.”

Chloe smiled…but there was no humor in it. “Everything you do becomes my business when I’m the one watching our brother suffer.”

That landed.

Ruth swallowed hard.

She picked up one of the bottles, gripping it too tightly. The label blurred for a moment.

“Don’t touch anything,” she said when Chloe’s hand moved toward the bag.

Chloe froze.

Then she deliberately reached in and pulled out a folded receipt.

Her eyes scanned it.

Her smile faded.

Then sharpened.

“This pharmacy,” Chloe said slowly. “It’s not near here.”

Ruth’s pulse spiked.

“You followed me?” Ruth asked.

Chloe shrugged. “I got curious.”

Their brother’s voice trembled. “Why would you do that?”

Chloe ignored him.

“You know,” Chloe said softly, “you’ve been acting strange ever since that scandal broke.”

Ruth’s breath caught.

“What scandal?” she asked, though she already knew.

Chloe’s eyes glittered. “The billionaire. Leonard Williams.”

The name hit like ice water.

Ruth said nothing.

Chloe laughed. “I knew it. You always pretend not to care about the things everyone else is talking about.”

She leaned closer. “But you were there, weren’t you?”

Ruth’s jaw tightened.

“I don’t know what you think you know,” she said, “but stop.”

Chloe studied her face carefully.

Then her lips parted in realization.

“Oh,” Chloe murmured. “You were with him.”

The room felt too small.

“That night,” Chloe continued. “The scandalous one.”

Their brother looked between them, confused and frightened.

“Chloe, stop,” he whispered.

But Chloe’s excitement was building.

“So tell me,” Chloe said lightly. “Did you drug him too? Or were you just convenient?”

Ruth slapped her.

The sound cracked through the room.

Chloe staggered back, stunned.

Ruth stood there shaking, tears burning her eyes, chest heaving.

“Never say that again,” Ruth said, her voice breaking. “You have no idea what happened.”

Silence followed.

Then Chloe laughed.

Low. Dangerous.

“Oh, Ruth,” she said. “You really think you were the only one caught in that mess?”

Ruth froze.

“What do you mean?”

Chloe picked up her phone, scrolling casually. “Someone’s been asking questions. About you. About that night.”

Ruth’s stomach dropped.

“Who?” she whispered.

Chloe smiled slowly. “Leonard Williams.”

The name echoed in Ruth’s head.

Across the city, Leonard stood in a darkened office, jacket discarded, sleeves rolled up.

Photos covered the table. Guest lists. Drink orders. Security logs.

Derrick stood beside him.

“The toxicology report confirms it,” Derrick said. “You were drugged. So was at least one other guest.”

Leonard’s eyes locked onto a single name highlighted on the list.

Ruth Hale.

“Find out who placed the drinks,” Leonard said calmly. “And who benefits most from destroying both our lives.”

His jaw tightened.

“This wasn’t random.”

Back in the apartment, Ruth watched Chloe raise her phone to her ear.

“Hello,” Chloe said sweetly. “Yes. I think I have information you’ll want.”

Ruth felt the floor give way beneath her feet.

For the first time, she understood…..

The danger hadn’t followed her home.

It lived there.