Page 49 of Velvet Corruption

She glared. I kept walking beside her, adjusting my hold just enough to steady her when she stumbled.

“Look, you don’t want my help? Fine. But you’re getting it anyway,” I muttered. “So suck it up and try not to bleed out on my shoes.”

Ruby opened her mouth to argue but stopped, a grimace twisting her features. Her dark hair fell out of its bun, sticking to her forehead. She looked stubborn and fragile all at once. Even if she was still pissed about it, I was glad I had my hand on her, certain I wouldn’t let her fall.

Inside, I let her go first to the desk. She gave her name through gritted teeth, one hand pressed awkwardly against her stomach like she could physically hold herself together.

The receptionist gave her a polite once-over—then blinked. “Wait. Is it your hand?”

Ruby nodded stiffly.

The woman’s face tightened. “I’m sorry, we can’t treat deep lacerations here. Not with that kind of bleeding, not near major arteries. You need the ER.”

“What?” Ruby’s voice was barely a whisper. “But I’m already here.”

“I know, and I’m sorry,” the receptionist said gently, but firm. “You need stitches. Maybe even a surgical consult. We don’t have that kind of setup here.”

For a moment, Ruby stood frozen—like her brain couldn’t catch up to her body. Then she swayed.

I caught her before she could drop. One arm around her waist, the other bracing her elbow. She didn’t resist. Couldn’t.

“We’re going,” I said, my voice harder than it should’ve been. It wasn’t for the receptionist. It was for her.

Outside, I opened the passenger door. Ruby stood there a second too long, like the act of climbing in was a defeat she couldn’t stomach.

“Get in,” I said, low.

She looked up at me, eyes flashing—pride flaring even now.

But she got in.

And I shut the door before she could change her mind.

In the driver’s seat, I didn’t wait. I started the car and pulled onto the road like I had a target. Because I did.

“You’ve lost a lot of blood,” I said, keeping my eyes on the road.

“I know.”

“Then stop pretending you didn’t almost hit the floor back there.”

“I didn’t pass out.”

“Yet.”

She exhaled sharply, turning her head toward the window. Deflect, deflect, deflect. It was classic Ruby. Pretend everything was fine until it wasn’t.

"You’re pushing yourself too hard."

She didn’t snap back. She didn’t even roll her eyes.

"I don’t have a choice," she murmured.

Thatwasn’t the Ruby I knew. Ruby always had a choice. She forced choices into existence. And in that moment…fuck, I justknewsome asshole had done this to her—some asshole who wasn’t me. I’d been a real fucking bastard to her, I was well aware of that, but I’d never made her feel like she was weak.

Still, I didn’t argue. I just drove.

“Wear a face mask when we get there,” she said. “I don’t want anyone to see me with you while I’m running for DA.”