Chapter 4: Indebted
Ruth’s arms tightened around Dapper’s back in shock, her grip nearly cracking his spine as she processed his request. Her breath hit his shoulder in ragged bursts, warm and uneven. Dapper immediately regretted saying anything, fearing he might have pushed too far.
However—
"I-I’m going to give you... h-half," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Half of everything I own. The property, the assets... all of it. I want you to know how much I love you, Dapper. H-how much I care."
Dapper stiffened in her hold, his ears practically twitching like a startled cat. His brows knitted in confusion. This wasn’t the reaction he expected. It was too easy and sketchy.
"I don’t expect you to believe it right away," she whispered near his ear. "But I’m not doing this to prove anything to anyone... except you."
Ruth pressed in even closer, her heartbeat pounding against his chest—and so were her massive jugs, which made Dapper go still for a different reason. "Even if you hate me... I want to give you anything you ask for. Because I love you."
Dapper said nothing. Her body was warm, soft, and sincere, but his mind churned cold with suspicion. He had pulled off all sorts of scams in his past life—stolen, lied, manipulated. But this...This kind of devotion? It didn’t add up.
Still, he gave a faint nod, just enough for her to notice. She sighed into his shoulder, and the room fell quiet.
---
Later that evening, Dapper stepped into a room he had never entered before.
It wasn’t the cold, sterile chamber his predecessor had used, the one purposely picked to avoid Ruth. No, this was different. This room had been furnished for him and Ruth together after their marriage.