Ruin Me Slowly

Chapter 11

Rosie’s pov

“Carter always needs saving from himself.”

That’s what my mother used to say when we were kids, watching Carter dive off the tallest rocks into the lake without checking the water depth first. Or when he snuck out of boarding school just to drive across state lines for a music festival.

And she wasn’t wrong.

I’ve always looked out for him. Since we were little. I had to.

Because Carter’s the kind of person who jumps first and asks questions later. He’s reckless with his heart, his time, and especially with the people he lets in. But he’s my little brother. And I’d die before I let anyone hurt him.

We grew up in a good home. A strong home. Sunday mornings with waffles and orange juice. Movie nights under blankets. Dad dancing with Mom in the kitchen when they thought we weren’t looking. We were taught to be loyal. That we protect each other, no matter what.

We were Kings.

And Kings never bow.

So when I saw Jane Ellis walk into Empire that morning, looking lost and scared and too damn familiar, my stomach twisted. I knew exactly who she was the second I laid eyes on her. You don’t forget a face you’ve studied in tabloids for years.

Jane Ellis.

Daughter of him.

Richard Ellis. The man who almost destroyed our father’s name.

I remember how he sued our company with fake claims. I remember the smear articles he leaked to the press, calling my father corrupt, manipulative, unfit to run an empire. My dad didn’t sleep for weeks. He aged a decade in months. I saw him cry once. Just once. In the garage, alone in the car, holding one of the court papers Richard had filed.

And right beside Richard in every press photo? Jane.

Smiling. Standing tall. Playing the loyal daughter role perfectly.

The “iconic father-daughter duo,” the magazines said.

More like a power-hungry monster grooming his heir.

I’ve been keeping tabs on that family for years. Watching them. Because I knew one day they’d try something again.

But I didn’t think it would be like this.

When Jane walked into Empire asking for Carter, I felt it in my bones—this wasn’t coincidence. And when she told me she was pregnant, I nearly lost it.

Pregnant.

With Carter’s child?

No. No way.

It had to be a trap.

She wanted to secure a seat at our table. She wanted to cause a scandal. Maybe even rip our family apart from the inside. My brother may be reckless, but he’s not stupid. He knows better than to get tangled up with her.

But then again… she didn’t look the same.

She used to be softer. More polished. Like a rich man’s perfect doll. But when I saw her now, she was different. More mature. More beautiful. She was always beautiful, only more effortless this time.

If she really was pregnant, and if Carter really did sleep with her… this could destroy everything. Not just Carter’s image. Our company. Our family name.

Everything.

I had to act fast.

That’s why, the second she left Empire—sobbing and shaking—I picked up the phone.

“Emma,” I said, pacing my office. “I need you.”

“Rosie?” Emma laughed on the other end. “Wow. It’s been months. Did I get richer or are you finally desperate?”

“I’m not playing, Emma.”

“Well, this is new.”

“There’s a girl,” I said. “She’s claiming she’s pregnant with Carter’s kid.”

That shut her up. After a beat, Emma replied, “You’re kidding.”

“I wish I was.”

“You want me to confirm it’s fake?”

“No. I want you to make her leave.” I took a deep breath. “If she sees Carter with you—like old times—she’ll disappear on her own.”

Emma chuckled. “So, you want me to seduce your brother?”

“You already do it without being asked.”

“Touché.”

“Can you do it or not?”

“Fine,” she said with a sigh. “But I expect something in return.”

“I’ll double your modeling campaign next season.”

“You’re evil. But I’ll do it.”

I hung up.

“No,” I said softly, “I’m protective.”

My hands were shaking. My heart pounding. But I felt something else too. Relief. Because I wasn’t going to let Carter ruin his life over Jane Ellis.

She may look innocent, may have mastered the sad eyes and trembling voice—but she’s Ellis blood.

And I know what Ellis blood is capable of.

If Carter knew who she really was, he’d never look at her the same way. And I’d make sure he never did.