Page 126 of Billionaire’s Ruin

“Of course not,” I snapped—too fast, too harsh—then forced myself to soften it. “But not until I can figure something out. Something’s… not right with her, June.”

The words scraped up my throat like gravel.

Saying them aloud made me feel heavier.

“I need to send her to a facility,” I said quietly. “Have her evaluated—maybe even kept there, locked up if I have to.”

“Kai…”

Her voice softened, broke a little.

Compassion—for the woman who tried to kill her.

Sometimes I didn’t know whether June was merciful… or just reckless with who she allowed herself to care about.

“You don’t understand,” I whispered. “She has plans. Terrible ones. To hurt people. My dad. His mistress. His son—my half-brother.”

A ragged exhale tore out of me.

“If I hadn’t intervened… if Dannie hadn’t pulled me out when he did… someone would’ve been dead by now because of her.”

“What about that Lucy woman?” My best friend pressed. “Can we trust her?”

“Yes.”

It surprised me how quickly the answer came.

But it felt true.

“Like me,” I admitted, “she’s been a victim of my mother’s games.”

“How so?” she asked, her tone gentle.

I drew in a slow, steadying breath.

“Remember my cousin Jenny?”

I didn’t wait for them to answer.

I needed to say it before the anger choked me.

“Lucy’s in love with Jenny. When my mother found out, she threatened to tell her parents. They’re extremely traditional. If the truth came out, she’d be disowned, cut off financially, and she’d probably never see Jenny again.”

Her hand flew to her mouth, horror flickering across her face.

“It gets worse.”

And somehow, it did.

“After that, my mother tightened the screws. She forced Lucy into seeing me, arranged dates, pushed for an engagement.”

June whispered, “Oh, God…”

“Jenny’s out of the facility now,” I exhaled. “Living with Lucy. Jenny’s stuck in her own fog and hasn’t connected the dots yet. But she will. Eventually.”

“That’s not her fault,” she said softly, and there it was, that heartbreaking empathy that made everything feel too tight inside.

“I know.” The words came out barely above a whisper.