The live oaks on the College of Charleston campus cast long shadows across the brick pathways, their branches draped with Spanish moss that swayed like silent witnesses. Students moved between classes with backpacks and iced coffees, unaware that just beyond the courtyard fountain, Ruby Porter was fighting to keep from falling apart.
She stood stiffly near the edge of the lawn, her phone clutched so tightly her knuckles were white. She’d been hoping—praying—that David wouldn’t follow her to campus again.
But hope was useless.
Because he was already there.
“Ruby,” David said in a low voice, too soft to draw attention but sharp enough to cut through her skull. He stood close—too close—blocking her path. “You’ve ignored my messages.”
Ruby’s stomach twisted. The air felt suddenly too thick, too hot.
“I—had class,” she said, keeping her voice flat, neutral. Safe.
David’s smile was the kind that made her skin crawl. “You know I worry when you shut me out like that. Come on, sweetheart. We need to talk.”
She flinched at the word. He knew she hated it. He used it anyway.
Ruby glanced around desperately, checking if anyone was nearby. And someone was.
Miles Bennett stood across the courtyard, half-hidden behind a column of the student center. He wasn’t pretending not to look. His eyes were locked on them, jaw clenched, fists tight at his sides.
Ruby’s heartbeat spiked.
David stepped closer, lowering his voice further. “You tell your mother anything, and she’ll look at you with the same disappointment she had after the divorce. You want that again? You want to break her?”
Ruby shook her head shakily. “Please don’t—”
David lifted a hand as if to touch her shoulder.
And Ruby froze.
Before he could make contact, another voice cut in.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
David turned sharply.
Miles was striding toward them, eyes burning with barely contained fury.
Ruby’s breath caught. “Miles—don’t—”
Miles ignored her. He planted himself between Ruby and David, shoulders squared, voice trembling with anger.
“Stay away from her.”
David’s posture shifted instantly—his expression melting into that sickening facade of calm, paternal warmth. “Miles, right? Ruby’s mentioned you. I’m just checking on my stepdaughter. She’s been having a rough week. I’d expect a friend to understand.”
Miles laughed once, sharp and disbelieving. “Friend? I just watched her back up like you’re a threat.”
David’s smile thinned. “Kids misunderstand things. I’m only trying to help.”
Ruby squeezed her eyes shut, humiliation and terror crashing over her.
Miles looked at Ruby instead of David. “Are you okay?”
Ruby’s throat tightened. Words wouldn’t come.
David answered for her. “She’s fine.”
Miles didn’t look away. “Ruby?”
Her voice finally scraped out, barely audible. “I’m… fine.”
David nodded as if satisfied. “See? A simple family conversation. No need to jump to conclusions.”
Miles stepped forward again. “She’s shaking.”
David’s eyes hardened. “This is none of your business.”
“When she looks like she’s about to fall apart right in front of you?” Miles shot back. “That makes it my business.”
Ruby’s breath came fast and shallow. The tension was suffocating, sparking, about to explode.
Then her phone buzzed.
David’s gaze flicked toward her hand—toward the unread message he already knew she wouldn’t dare open in front of them.
This time, his smile slipped entirely.
He leaned in, his words a threat wrapped in honey. “We’ll finish this later, Ruby.”
Then he walked off across the courtyard, leaving the two students in the echo of his shadow.
Ruby stood perfectly still until he disappeared behind the library building—only then did her knees buckle.
Miles caught her by the arms. “Hey—hey, breathe. It’s okay.”
“No,” Ruby whispered, tears spilling uncontrollably. “It’s not.”
Miles hesitated only a moment before guiding her to a bench beneath the live oaks. She hugged herself tightly, shoulders shaking.
“He won’t leave me alone,” she choked out.
Miles’s jaw tightened. “Ruby… what is going on? Why does he talk to you like that? Why do you look—terrified?”
Ruby buried her face in her hands. “I can’t. I can’t say it.”
Miles didn’t push. He just sat beside her, silent and steady, until the words clawed their way out of her throat like broken glass.
“He… he crossed a line.” Her voice fractured. “Back at Rainbow Row. And again. And again. And I didn’t tell my mom because—because she finally found happiness. And I can’t be the one to take it away from her.”
Miles went still.
Deadly, trembling still.
“He did what?” His voice was ice wrapped in fire.
Ruby sobbed harder. “I don’t want to ruin her life. She loves him. And if she finds out—”
Miles leaned forward, eyes fierce, voice firm but trembling with emotion.
“Ruby. He’s the one ruining her life. Not you. You’re not responsible for his behavior.”
Ruby shook her head hopelessly. “You don’t understand. If I speak, everything shatters.”
“Maybe it needs to shatter,” Miles said quietly.
She met his gaze—and for the first time, she saw someone who wasn’t going to look away.
Someone who wasn’t afraid.
“Miles,” she whispered, voice breaking, “I’m scared.”
He reached out, his hand resting lightly over hers.
“I know,” he said. “But you’re not alone anymore.”