RUBY'S POVMy fingers hovered over my phone, the unread message glaring at me like an unwelcome reminder. I had gone through it not once, twice or even thrice today.Even after leaving work, picking up Rhett and Ruby, making dinner and all, my mind was all over the place but they all boiled down to one person—Roman.I hadn’t replied his text. I didn’t need to. He wanted to talk? I scoffed and stuffed the phone back into my coat pocket. Of course, he wanted to talk—after all these years.I had left the house to get some groceries and hoping for a distraction but even those weren’t enough so I had driven to the park for a stroll.As I walked through the quiet park, the autumn wind blew through my hair, making me shiver as I took one step at a time.A part of me felt ridiculous for avoiding him like this, but the other part, the stronger part, couldn’t shake the memory of his cold words from seven years ago."I, Alpha Roman D’Angelo reject you, Ruby Blackwood, as my Luna and as my ma
“I didn’t want to hurt you,” he continued, his voice barely audible now. “But I saw the kids, and I just... I had to know.”I looked away, my heart pounding. I had kept the truth hidden for so long, buried beneath layers of resentment and heartache. But now, faced with Roman’s regret, the truth hovered on the tip of my tongue.“You’re not leaving this van until we talk,” Roman said firmly but not in an unkind manner."You don’t know anything about them, Roman," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though my chest tightened with each word.His jaw clenched as he replied through gritted teeth. “I saw them, Ruby. They look just like—”“They’re not yours,” I cut him off before he could finish his sentence. The words came out sharper than I intended, like the crack of a whip. I needed to stop this before he got any closer to the truth. “I moved on. You don’t get to come back and claim something that isn’t yours.”For a brief moment, his face softened—just a flicker of vulnerability tha
Roman's POVI watched as Ruby stepped down from the van and the door slammed shut behind her. She didn’t look back, not even for a second. I couldn’t tear my eyes away—couldn’t stop the knot tightening in my chest as she walked away. Watching her leave hurt more now than it had seven years ago. It was like reliving that moment, only worse.Each heartbeat reminded me of my mistakes, guilt pressing relentlessly against my chest. I should not feel this way after what I did, but the guilt had been building up ever since I turned her down in front of everyone those years ago.A few moments passed before I realized the van was gone, the rumble of its engine fading into the distance. I hadn’t even noticed it leave. My feet felt rooted to the spot, my mind spinning with too many thoughts to make sense of any of them.I finally forced myself to move, staggering back to where my car was parked. I gasped for air as I leaned against it because the air was too thick to swallow. I pressed the heel
Ruby's POV It was a quiet Wednesday morning. The kind of morning that lulled into thinking the day might actually go smoothly. I should’ve known better.Helen, my closest friend, had offered to take Ruby and Rhett to school today. “You’ve been looking exhausted, Rubes,” she had said when she showed up at the door with her usual warm smile. “Why don’t you take a little time for yourself this morning?”I agreed, grateful for the help. Maybe a few hours alone would give me the chance to clear my head. After the kids left, the house felt too quiet. I tried to keep busy—distract myself by diving into the little chores I had been putting off. But the silence was suffocating. I scrubbed dishes from breakfast, straightened the furniture, picked up the pillow mess made by Ruby and Rhett. Just then my phone rang, looking at the phone screen it was Roman.Yeah, I saved his number so I would know when he calls. But I don’t need his call right now so I declined the call. I tried to return my att
I drove through the city streets, my thoughts swirling like the traffic around me. The late morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the road as I made my way to the little restaurant where Liam and I always met. It had been our go-to spot for years—a place where everything seemed to slow down, where I could escape the chaos of life, if only for a while.When I pulled into the parking lot, I spotted Liam through the large windows, already seated at our usual table by the window. I smiled to myself. He was always early.I stepped inside, the familiar smell of freshly baked bread and coffee hitting me as I walked toward him. The restaurant was quiet, with the soft hum of conversations and the clinking of plates in the background. As I approached, Liam stood up with that easy smile of his, one that always made me feel like everything was going to be alright."Been a while," he said, standing up to envelop me in a warm, familiar hug. I let out a sigh as I
As I pulled up to the familiar school gates, I could already see them—Ruby and Rhett—standing by the gatepost with their little backpacks slung over their shoulders. Rhett was the first to spot me, his face lighting up like a beacon.“Mom’s here, Ruby!” he exclaimed, tugging at her arm and stealing her attention away from her classmates.I smiled as I saw the twin faces brighten. “Mommy!” they chorused, springing from their seats and waving goodbye to their friends. They dashed towards the car, their laughter filling the air as they climbed in, Ruby’s school bag swinging wildly as she slipped into the backseat.“Hey, Munchies,” I greeted them with a grin, using the nickname they had known since they were toddlers.“Hi, Mom!” Ruby beamed.“Hey, Mom,” Rhett added, his smile a little quieter, but no less sincere.They fastened their seatbelts, something I had taught them to do without needing a reminder. It always made me proud to see how much they’d grown, even in the small things.As w
‘Come on, Helen, you couldn't even wait?' I chuckled to myself as I made my way to the front door to usher Helen in.As I got to the door, ready to greet my friend with a teasing remark, my amusement however, turned to shock, as I swung the door open.I froze in shock at the sight before me. Standing on the doorstep with an unreadable expression on his face was no other than…Roman."Roman?" I blurted out after recovering from the shock, my voice barely above a whisper, disbelief etched across my features."Hello, Ruby..." he said with a cold tone, his eyes having a glint of amusement and something else I couldn't quite decipher. "Surprised to see me?" he asked in an arrogant tone."How did you...?" I began, wanting to ask how he knew my place, but the question got caught at the back of my throat, lost in the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me."How did I find you?" he completed my question, cocking his head slightly as if savoring the moment. "It was quite easy. I just needed
The weight of his words hung in the air between us, heavy and suffocating. I could feel the walls closing in, the safe world I had built for my children suddenly fragile, like glass about to shatter.I closed the door slowly, leaning against it for a moment as I tried to collect myself. I could hear the kids still playing, blissfully unaware of the turmoil swirling just outside their little world.But I knew it wouldn’t stay that way for long.The sharp, unmistakable smell of something burning snapped me back to reality.“Oh my God!” I yelped, dashing into the kitchen. A cloud of smoke hung in the air, curling out from the pot. My heart sank as I reached over to turn off the gas, mumbling, “No, no, no… this can’t be happening.”With a grimace, I lifted the pot lid, only to be met with the charred remains of what used to be noodles. The half-burnt mess at the bottom clung stubbornly to the pot, taunting me. I sighed, pressing my fingers to my forehead, feeling the frustration rise.“G
~Ruby's POV~Saturday began with a sense of heaviness due to the upcoming event. It was the day of Aunt Jean’s burial, and there was a clear tension in the house. I had just come out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around me, with steam lingering on my skin. As I tied my robe, I made my way to the kids’ room, expecting to find them already dressed and ready.I pushed the door open slightly and peeked in. “Hope you two are almost ready?”The scene inside stopped me dead. There they were, sprawled on the bed with their tablets, eyes glued to their screens, completely oblivious to the passing of time.“Is it time already?” Little Ruby asked, not even looking up.“What do you mean, is it time?” I pushed the door open wider, hands on my hips. “We’re late already!”Both kids shot up, their wide eyes mirroring their surprise. “We are?” they chorused.“To the bathroom. Now!” I said, pointing emphatically to the door.Their tablets clattered onto the bed as they scrambled to obey. Towels slu
I stared at her, my thoughts racing. “Ruby…” I started but trailed off, unsure how to continue. “Why didn’t you tell me?”Her face crumpled slightly, her voice cracking as she replied. “I didn’t know how,” she said. “I didn’t want to burden anyone. And honestly, I was scared of what everyone would think.”Her words hit me hard. I reached across the space between us, taking her hand in mine. “You know you can trust me,” I said softly. “We’re family, Ruby. You didn’t have to go through this alone.”Tears glistened in her eyes, but she blinked them away quickly. “I know,” she whispered.The sound of Rhett and little Ruby laughing in the other room broke through the heavy moment. Their giggles felt almost surreal against the tension in the room.“Dad already has a hint about them,” I said cautiously, watching her reaction.Her eyes widened, and I could see panic flash across her face.“But I won’t say anything,” I assured her.Ruby exhaled deeply in relief. “Thank you,” she said.“But yo
~Esperanza's POV~I stood still on Ruby’s doorstep, watching the two kids who had just called her "mom." Their bright eyes sparkled with excitement, and their laughter filled the quiet street.“Mom?” I said again, the word feeling strange as it rolled off my tongue. I glanced between Ruby and the kids, a sense of disbelief churning in my chest.“Yes, Esperanza. Here are my little ones,” Ruby replied, her calm demeanor feeling so odd in this moment.Her little girl—her daughter—stepped forward with a grin that could melt glaciers. “Hi! Who are you?”I blinked, still trying to reconcile this scene. “I’m Esperanza. I’m Ruby's… I mean, I'm your mum’s cousin,” I said, my voice faltering slightly.“Oh!” The little girl, a miniature version of Ruby, grinned even wider. “I’m Ruby, too! And that’s my brother… Rhett.”The boy was less bashful. “Hi! I’m Rhett,” he said confidently, sticking out his hand toward me.I knelt slightly to his level, forcing a smile as I shook his hand. “Hello, Rhett,
~Ruby's POV~The phone buzzed on the countertop as I finished folding a fresh stack of laundry. I glanced at the screen: Esperanza.“Hey, what’s up?” I replied, feeling the warmth of my clothes fresh from the dryer.“Hi, Ruby. I’m heading out to get some things in preparation for Aunt Jean’s burial. Do you want to come with me? I could use some company,” she said in a cheerful tone, but I could sense the sadness behind her words.I paused for a moment, feeling the heaviness of the day weighing on me like a thick fog. The weekend was coming, and it brought up feelings of loss and sadness. But I also remembered that I could really use something to take my mind off things. Going out into the world might help lift my spirits, even just a little bit for a little while.“Sure,” I said, forcing a note of enthusiasm into my voice.“Great. Where should I pick you up?” she asked, her voice brightening.“I’m not home right now,” I lied, the guilt curling in my stomach. “Let’s meet at Freddy’s
~Damien's POV~The smell of gunpowder filled the air as I focused on the target board a few yards away. I lost my concentration when I heard the sharp sound of Evan’s shot, as his bullet hit the bullseye perfectly.“You're better at this, I must say,” I said, lowering my gun and eyeing the target board with a grudging nod.“You think so?” Evan smirked, clearly enjoying the compliment.“That’s the bitter truth,” I admitted, adjusting my stance and taking another shot. My bullet struck the chest of the painted body diagram—just slightly off-center.“Is that a confession or you admitting I’m better than you in this field?” Evan teased.“Don’t let it get to your head,” I shot back, trying to focus on the board in front of me.“But if we’re being honest, Dane is the best,” Evan said, glancing at the man standing quietly to the side.Dane, who was always humble, shook his head. "No, I don’t think so."“I mean it. Even with that hand situation, you’ve got better,” Evan added, reloading his w
~Ruby's POV~The smell of sizzling onions filled the kitchen as I stood at the counter, preparing breakfast. The kids busied themselves around me, handing over ingredients.“Rhett, pass me the eggs,” I said, retrieving the groundnut oil from the cupboard.“Here you go, Mom,” Rhett said, carefully passing the bowl of eggs.“Thanks. Little Ruby, the pepper, please.”“Um, Mom,” Little Ruby began as she handed me the pepper, “when are we going to see Aunt Jean?”The question struck me like a bolt of lightning. I froze, nearly letting the onion slip from my grasp. “Aunt Jean?” I repeated, buying time to collect my thoughts.“Yeah, we still haven’t visited,” Rhett added with a curious tone.I set the onion down, turning to face them. “About that…” My voice faltered, and I ran a hand over my forehead.“What is it, Mom?” Little Ruby asked, concern lacing her small voice.I crouched to their level with a heavy heart. “The thing is…I’ve been trying to find the right words to tell you both. It’s
~Ruby's POV~“So what have you been doing all day?” I asked, closing the door behind me. “Mom!” Little Ruby squealed, running to hug me “Roman’s been helping us draw. Look!” She held up a page filled with a colorful creature.“Is this supposed to be Raphael from TMNT?” I said with a raised brow. “Yes, Mum.” I smiled faintly, ruffling her hair. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”Rhett stood up, holding out another drawing. “This one’s mine. Roman said it’s the best.”I raised an eyebrow at Roman, who shrugged with a chuckle.“Well, it’s not bad,” I said, feigning a critical look. “But maybe next time, draw them with fewer teeth.”“Not a chance!” Rhett said, laughing.Roman met my gaze over their heads, his expression warm but unreadable. For a brief moment, the stress of the day faded, and I let myself imagine—just for a second—what it might feel like for this to be normal.But reality was never that simple.I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Thanks. I really appreciate you doing this.”“It’
~ROMAN’S POV~The kids sat at the kitchen table, their brows furrowed in concentration as they worked through a series of math problems I had written out. Leaning over Rhett’s shoulder, I pointed to the equation he was struggling with. “Alright, look here. Start by simplifying the numbers inside the parentheses,” I explained, tapping the paper lightly with my pen. “Ohhh, I get it now!” Rhett said, his face lighting up as he scribbled the answer. You can tell he was obviously excited. Across the table, Little Ruby raised her hand triumphantly. “Done! Check mine, Roman!” Her voice was filled with pride, and I couldn’t help but admire her enthusiasm.I took her sheet and scanned it. “Perfect. You got it all right.” Her grin stretched from ear to ear, and I could see the confidence swelling within her. She tilted her head, her pigtails bouncing with the motion. “Have you ever considered teaching?”“Teaching?” I repeated with a laugh, raising an eyebrow. “Me? A teacher?” The idea felt f
~Ruby's POV~I held the phone to my ear, Esperanza’s voice steady on the other end.“What’s up?” I asked, hoping this wasn’t about more bad news.“I just thought you’d want to know… Keely’s in the city,” she said, her tone cautious but firm.“Oh my God.” My heart sank. “When did she arrive?”“This morning,” she said.“How is she? How’s she processing the news?” I asked, pacing the living room.“She’s… better than we expected,” Esperanza replied after a brief pause.I let out a heavy sigh, running my hand over my forehead. “Oh, Keely…”Esperanza’s voice softened. “What’s done is done, Ruby. We just have to heal. What we have now is each other.”She was right, of course, but it didn’t make the situation any less daunting. “Yeah, you’re right, Esperanza. You’re absolutely right.”“Dad wants us to meet up to discuss the burial plans now that Keely’s here,” she continued. “Think you can make it?”I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Yeah, I’ll be there in an hour or two.”The moment