005. I'm sorry?...

“Ruby… why do they look like me?”

The question hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt the blood drain from my face as I looked up to meet Roman’s gaze, his dark eyes filled with confusion—and something else I couldn’t quite place. For a moment, I was frozen. I couldn’t find the words, couldn’t even think of how to respond. 

But I had no intention of answering that question here, not in front of my children.

I stood up, holding Rhett and Ruby’s hands tightly, pulling them closer to me. 

“Come on, Rhett. Come on, Ruby. We’re leaving.” My voice was steady, though my heart was racing.

“Wait… Ruby,” Roman said, taking a step toward us, his voice more urgent now. “You haven’t answered my question.”

I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. My children were my priority—always. I tightened my grip on their hands and continued walking toward the exit. 

“Hey!” Roman’s voice grew louder, frustration creeping into his tone. I felt his hand wrap around my arm, pulling me to a stop. 

“Ruby, I’m talking to you.”

I turned slowly, meeting his gaze with a coldness I didn’t feel. Inside, I was unraveling, but I couldn’t let him see that. 

“Let go of me,” I said through clenched teeth, yanking my arm free from his grasp.

He let go immediately, his expression softening as he stepped back. “Okay… Alright. I’m sorry.”

Hearing Roman D’Angelo say those words—I’m sorry—was a shock in itself. He had never been one to apologize. The man who had once torn me apart with his indifference now stood there, looking almost—what? Vulnerable? Regretful? I wasn’t sure. But it didn’t matter.

“You want to do this here? In front of my kids?” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I was too rattled to care.

“Ruby, I’m sorry, okay?” he repeated, but I could see he was losing patience.

I shook my head, refusing to be drawn into this. 

“Have a goodnight, Roman.” Without another word, I turned and walked away. 

The kids stayed close, Ruby holding onto my hand and Rhett keeping up by my side as we headed toward the parking lot. 

As we reached the car, I made my way to the driver’s side, ready to open the door when I was interrupted by a small argument starting behind me.

“I got here first,” Ruby declared, her hand on the door handle, “so I should sit beside Mum.”

“No, no, no!” Rhett countered, his voice rising in protest. “I got here first, and you know it.”

Ruby narrowed her eyes at him and tugged the handle harder. “No, I did!”

“Mum!” Rhett called out, looking at me for backup.

“Oh my gosh…” I sighed, pressing my fingers to my forehead. These two were always bickering over the smallest things. 

“Come on, guys,” I said, turning to face them. “Alright, both of you in the back. No one gets to sit with me up front.”

They exchanged glances but obeyed, climbing into the back seat with matching pouts. I slid into the driver’s seat, glancing at them in the rearview mirror. Rhett was smiling now, and Ruby, ever the competitive one, made a funny face at her brother, sticking her tongue out in mockery. 

It was the little moments like these that reminded me how much joy they brought into my life, despite everything else.

The drive home was quiet, a welcome change after the chaos of the evening. My thoughts were still tangled, but I forced myself to focus on the road. 

“Alright, time to get ready for bed,” I said, ushering them inside.

“Do we have to?” Rhett groaned, dragging his feet as we entered the house.

“Yes, you have to,” I replied with a small smile. 

“Go take your baths.”

They grumbled but did as they were told. I followed them after a few moments, checking on each one as they finished up. By the time they were settled into bed, their bickering had faded, and they were both tucked beneath their blankets, looking up at me with sleepy eyes.

As I was about to leave the room, Rhett’s small voice stopped me.

 “Mum… who was that man?”

I froze for a second, my hand hovering over the light switch. My throat tightened, but I forced a smile as I turned back to face him. 

“He’s just an old friend, love,” I said softly, hoping to leave it at that. “Nothing to worry about.”

Rhett seemed satisfied with that answer, his eyes drooping. Ruby, too, snuggled deeper into her blankets, letting out a sleepy yawn.

“Goodnight, Mum,” they both murmured, their voices in unison.

“Goodnight, my loves.” I bent down, pressing a kiss to each of their foreheads before turning off the light. I lingered at the doorway for a moment, watching their peaceful faces in the dim light, before closing the door gently behind me.

As I made my way down the hall, the weight of the day finally began to settle on me. Roman’s face flashed in my mind, his questions, his touch, his sudden apology. I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling his presence stirred up inside me.

But for tonight, I had my children safe in bed. And that was all that mattered.