CHAPTER 15

Julian's POV

“Sophie!” Ruby shouted, her voice filled with fear as she saw the metal flying toward us.

In a split second, Ruby pushed me aside, trying to shield me from the projectile. But I couldn’t just stand back and let her take the hit.

My instincts kicked in, and I ran forward, throwing myself in front of her just as the metal struck.

The impact hit my back hard, a sharp pain searing through me. I winced, feeling a wave of agony ripple across my skin.

Thankfully, it missed the spot where I was already injured, but the pain was still enough to make me gasp.

I clenched my teeth, fighting to hold back a cry as I tried to endure the hurt.

“Julian!” Ruby exclaimed, her eyes wide with alarm as she turned to me. The worry on her face was palpable, and I could see the panic rising within her.

She noticed my pain, and it tore at my heart to see her so frightened. I wanted to reassure her, to tell her I was okay, but the words caught in my throat.

Instead, all I could do was hold my breath and try to mask the pain that was creeping across my body.

This wasn’t how I imagined everything would end. I had hoped to see Ruby smiling, her face lit up with joy, not filled with fear and concern.

Now, as I looked into her eyes, the situation felt so heavy, so far from what I wanted.

I could feel her heartache mingling with mine, and the weight of it made everything feel darker than before.

“Julian, are you okay? Answer me!” Ruby exclaimed, her voice sharp with worry, her eyes darting over my face as if searching for any sign of injury.

Before I could respond, Logan’s voice cut through the tension like a knife.

“How could you be so shameless? You're caring for another man right in front of your husband!” He spat the words from where he stood, his anger simmering just below the surface.

Ruby didn’t even glance in his direction. Her focus was solely on me, her concern evident in her furrowed brow and trembling hands.

I realized now that she had been trying to protect me from this very moment, shielding me from Logan's wrath and the chaos of our situation.

I reached out, grabbing her hand tightly. “Let’s go,” I said firmly, leading her away from the confrontation.

I could feel her grip tighten in response, a silent agreement between us.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me,” I reassured her as we made our way to where I had parked my car, my voice steadier than I felt.

We climbed into the car, and as I settled into the driver’s seat, I tried to push through the pain coursing through my back.

Each movement sent sharp reminders of what had just happened, but I forced myself to focus.

I needed to get Ruby out of here and to the hospital for my check-up, just like I promised the doctor I would do.

With determination, I turned the key in the ignition and pulled out of the parking lot. The drive felt endless, every bump in the road jarring my aching back.

I could see Ruby glancing at me, concern etched on her face, but I kept my focus on the road ahead.

“Doctor!” I called out as I spotted Dr. Smith walking down the hallway.

He looked at us, his expression unreadable, but I could tell he already knew why I was back.

There was an unspoken understanding between us, and I felt a mix of relief and dread wash over me.

He led me into an examination room, the familiar scent of antiseptic filling the air. As I sat on the exam table, I tried to shake off the pain radiating from my back, knowing I needed to stay strong for Ruby.

Thankfully, after a quick examination, Dr. Smith delivered some good news.

“You’re lucky it didn’t hit where you were already injured,” he said, a hint of concern in his voice.

“Thank you, Doctor,” I replied, my voice filled with gratitude, though I couldn’t help but feel a bit shaken by the close call.

After a few more minutes, I left the examination room and walked down the corridor to where Ruby was waiting for me.

She stood near the reception area, her body tense as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

The moment she saw me, her face lit up with a mix of relief and lingering worry.

“You could have sat down,” I said gently, approaching her. I didn’t want her to feel anxious while she waited for me.

“How are you? Are you hurt anywhere else?” she fired off questions, her eyes scanning my face as if trying to find any sign of injury.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm her worries. I smiled, hoping to reassure her.

“I told you I was fine. I didn’t get hurt,” I said, keeping my tone light.

I could see the relief wash over Ruby’s face when I assured her I was fine. Honestly, it felt good to see her smile again, even if it was just for a moment.

There was something about being close to her that brought me pure joy. In that moment, nothing else mattered,not the chaos from earlier, not Logan, and certainly not the tension in the air.

Ruby didn’t even seem to care about her husband back at the hall, and that struck me as strange.

What could Logan have done to her that made her feelings change so drastically? I remembered how happy Ruby used to be with him, always laughing and glowing in his presence.

Now, it felt like she was a completely different person, weighed down by worry and fear.

The thought lingered in my mind, nagging at me, but I was pulled back to the present by Ruby’s voice.

“Can you head home alone?” she asked, her tone careful, still unsure about my condition.

“Ummm, yes, I think so,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

She nodded in response, but I could see the concern still etched on her face. We walked out of the hospital together and got to the parking lot.

I reached my car, but when I turned around, I caught Ruby watching me closely, her eyes full of worry.

I didn’t want her to fret over me any longer. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel burdened or anxious.

So, I made a quick decision. “Do you mind coming with me?” I asked, my voice soft but hopeful.

Her expression shifted, surprise flashing across her face before it softened into a smile. “Are you sure?” she replied, a hint of hesitation still lingering.

“Yeah, I could use the company,” I said, feeling a warmth spread through me at the thought of having her by my side.

Ruby hesitated for a moment, weighing her options, but then she finally agreed to come with me.

A wave of relief washed over me as I opened the passenger door for her, the gesture feeling natural and right.

The joy on my face was hard to contain. it felt like a light had switched on inside me.

As we drove home, I couldn’t help but steal glances at her. The way her hair caught the light, the soft smile she wore,it made my heart race.

When we arrived at my house, I opened the front door, gesturing for her to go in first.

“Make yourself comfortable,” I said, grinning as I watched her step inside.

I quickly changed into some casual clothes, shaking off the tension from the day.

When I came back downstairs, Ruby was still there, looking around and taking in her surroundings.

I offered her something to eat, and she accepted with a grateful smile.

As she enjoyed her snack, we settled into an easy rhythm, chatting and laughing about the disaster that was Sophie’s birthday party.

I loved how we joked about the chaos and how we had turned a celebratory event into a dramatic showdown.

Ruby’s laughter was like music to my ears, and every time she smiled, I felt my heart melt a little more. I made a silent promise to myself,I wouldn’t lose her this time.

We talked for what felt like hours, sharing stories and thoughts, the connection between us growing stronger.

Just when I thought the moment couldn’t get any better, Ruby’s phone rang, cutting through our conversation.

“Hello?” she said, answering the call.

Ruby's expression shifted dramatically as she stared at me, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and concern, the phone still pressed against her ear.

Just as quickly, the call ended, leaving a heavy silence in the air.

“Who was it?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“The driver who knocked you out has been caught,” she said, her voice steady but laced with tension.

We locked eyes for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as a surge of emotions rushed through me.

Without thinking, I stood up and grabbed my car keys, ready to confront this unexpected turn of events.

“Where did they catch him?” I asked, already moving toward the door.

“At the police station,” she replied, her voice firm and clear.

I nodded, determination flooding my veins as we headed to the car. The drive felt heavy with anticipation, and I could sense Ruby’s nervous energy beside me.

She didn’t speak, but I could see her glancing at me, her concern written all over her face.

When we arrived at the police station, we were greeted by a stern-looking officer who informed us that we would need to wait.

The driver was currently being interrogated, and they wanted to gather all the facts before letting us in.

As we sat in the waiting area, I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. I still couldn’t fully remember what had happened that day.

The only images that flashed through my mind were of me lying on the ground, blood pooling around me. Everything else was a blur,a void of confusion and pain.

Ruby seemed to sense my unease, and she placed a reassuring hand on my arm.

But just as I was about to express my worries, she stood up and walked toward an officer who had just exited the interrogation room.

“You need to hear this yourself,” the officer said, his voice low and serious.

Ruby turned to me, her expression urgent, signaling for me to follow her into the interrogation room.

My heart raced as I nodded and stepped inside. We both took seats opposite the driver, my mind swirling with questions and uncertainty.

The officer stood between us and the man, his voice firm as he directed, “Tell them what you said to me.”

The driver glanced at us, his face a mask of indifference.

“I was hired to do it,” he said, his tone almost casual as he met my eyes, then turned to Ruby.

My stomach dropped. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air.

“By who?” Ruby asked immediately, her voice steady but laced with urgency.

The man chuckled softly, a sinister smile creeping across his face. He leaned back in his chair, staring intently at Ruby.

The tension in the room thickened, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

“You’re not going to deny it, Ruby. I have proof,” he said, still grinning as if this were all a game.

A cold shiver ran down my spine. Confusion and disbelief twisted inside me.

Was he implying that Ruby was somehow involved in the accident that had nearly cost me my life?

My thoughts raced, trying to piece together what he was saying. This couldn’t be true,could it?

Ruby’s expression shifted from shock to anger, her brows furrowing in disbelief.

“What do you mean proof?” she shot back, her voice rising, demanding clarity.

I sat there, stunned, trying to make sense of the situation. The driver’s words echoed in my mind like a dark cloud, casting doubt on everything I thought I knew.

The room felt suffocating, and I struggled to process the implications of what he was saying.

It couldn’t be true. No way could Ruby be the one who hired this man to hurt me.

My mind raced with disbelief, desperately trying to convince myself that he was just bluffing.

“See for yourself. She paid me for it,” the driver said, a smug smile creeping across his face as he pulled out his phone.

My heart sank as he opened an app, showing us the transaction.

My eyes widened in horror as I saw the payment details flash across the screen, the sender’s name unmistakably reading Ruby.

A wave of betrayal washed over me, cold and sharp. I felt like the ground had fallen out from beneath me, and I couldn’t breathe.

How could this be happening? I was staring at the proof right in front of me, and every fiber of my being screamed that it couldn't be true.

I turned to Ruby, searching her face for any hint of explanation, any sign that this was some terrible misunderstanding. But all I found was shock reflected in her eyes.

Could she really be the one behind the accident?