Helen and I were just finishing up the last bites of our pancakes, the ones she claimed were “the fluffiest yet,” when my phone buzzed on the table. A glance at the screen made my stomach twist—the principal of the kids’ school.“Oh no,” I murmured, grabbing the phone.Helen looked up, instantly sensing my tension. “Everything okay?”I forced a smile but could feel the worry tightening my throat. “It’s the school.”I picked up, keeping my voice as steady as I could. “Hello, this is Ruby.”“Mrs. Blackwood, this is Principal O’Neil,” the familiar voice on the other end said, warm but with a hint of urgency. “I need you to come to the school right away. There’s been… an incident.”My heart dropped. “Is everything alright? Are the kids okay?”“They’re fine,” she assured me, though her tone was careful. “It’s Rhett… He was involved in a… disagreement with another student.”“A disagreement?” My voice came out sharper than I intended.“Yes. I think it’s best if we discuss this in person. Ple
The doorbell rang a second time, the sound cutting through the silence. My heart raced, though I wasn’t sure why. I took a deep breath, brushing the worry from my face, and called out, “Coming!” I crossed the hall, bracing myself for a visitor, but hoping it wasn’t him.Instead, I opened the door to see Liam standing there, a warm smile lighting up his face. Relief washed over me.“Hey, Ruby,” he greeted.“Hi… good afternoon.” I stepped aside, opening the door wide enough for him to come through. “Come on in.”He held two brown paper bags, each filled to the brim. I reached out to take one, chuckling. “Are you moving in or just feeding an army?”“Only the finest snack selection for my favorite twins,” he replied with a grin, handing me a bag.Together, we made our way to the living room, where I set the bags down on the table. I cupped my hands and called out to the kids, who I knew were hovering just out of sight down the hall. “Alright, Munchies… someone’s here to see you!”I could
LITTLE RUBY'S POV Today was the day—the day Uncle Liam was taking us out! He had told us yesterday he was going to, and I was so excited, I could barely sleep. When morning came, I hurried out of bed, took my bath and put on my best outfit. But I had a little problem, I couldn’t find my favorite shoes.“Mom, where’s my shoe?” I called, hopping down the hall with one shoe on and my other foot bare.“Have you checked under your bed, Ruby?” she said, smiling at me from the kitchen.“Not there, Mom.”“Try Rhett’s room then.”Just as I was about to head to Rhett’s room, the doorbell rang. I was so excited I didn’t even care that I was wearing just one shoe. I hopped all the way to the door, wobbly but fast.I opened the door, and there was Uncle Liam, smiling down at me. “Hey, Ruby. How are you?”“Good, Uncle Liam! How are you?” I said, feeling very grown-up.He chuckled, patting my shoulder. “I’m good too, thank you.”“Are you just going to keep him there in the doorway, Ruby?” Mom’s vo
LIAM’S POVThe sky was painted in shades of orange and purple as the sun dipped lower. We were almost home, and the quiet drive felt like a welcome relief after such a long day. I kept my focus on the road, enjoying the peaceful silence that had settled over the car.It didn’t last long, though. Rhett stirred in the backseat, rubbing his eyes and blinking slowly. I glanced at him in the mirror, a small smile tugging at my lips. “You awake?” I asked softly.“Yeah… I am, Uncle Liam,” he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep as he scratched his eyes and yawned.We turned onto Ruby’s street, and that’s when I saw something that caught my eyes. A man was standing right in front of the house, and from the look of things, it wasn’t good. Ruby was with him, and whatever peaceful moment we had instantly shattered.“Who’s that?” Rhett asked in a curious voice, leaning forward as if to get a clearer view. His tired little face turned toward the window, and I felt a knot form in my chest. He didn’t
RHETT'S POVWhen Uncle Liam got back into the car, he looked at me with a look that was a combination of worry and something else… maybe sadness. He let out a shaky breath and gave me a soft smile. “You okay, buddy?”I nodded, even though my insides were still twisted up. “Yeah,” I said quietly, but really, I felt anything but okay.Liam carried my sister, Ruby, who was still asleep in his arms, while Mom helped me out of the car and grabbed the bags and packages from our day out. We made our way inside, entering into our quiet apartment. The evening was peaceful, but I could feel that something had changed.Mom followed me to my room, where she whispered, “Take your bath, okay?” before gently placing Ruby down on the bed next to mine. I nodded, and she gave Ruby’s shoulder a gentle shake. “And wake your sister up for hers when you’re done, alright?”“Got it,” I whispered back, watching as Mom closed the door quietly, leaving me alone with Ruby.I sat there for a moment, staring at m
RUBY'S POV I barely made it to the couch before the exhaustion hit. I let out a long, heavy sigh, sinking into the cushions as the weight of the day settled over me. Liam was sitting at the other end, appearing lost in thought, with a look of worry and uncertainty on his face.“What was that all about?” he finally asked in a gentle but firm voice, almost as if he was afraid of the answer.“That’s what I’ve been needing to talk to you about,” I said softly, not quite able to meet his gaze. I ran a hand through my hair, struggling to find the right words. “It seems… well, it seems Roman’s back.”Liam let out a slow breath, his brows knitting together as he took this in. “So I wasn’t mistaken,” he murmured, almost to himself.I nodded, swallowing down the familiar pang of anxiety. “You’re not mistaken, Liam,” I said, my voice sounding small and strained. “He’s back. And I don’t know what that means yet, but it worries me.”“Damn,” Liam said, running a hand over his face, his shoulders s
RUBY'S POV The church service had just ended, and the familiar buzz of people talking and laughing filled the air as everyone filed out of the sanctuary. Helen and I had just caught up to the kids near the doors, and they looked up at us expectantly.“So, my place or your place?” Helen asked, giving me a sly smile as we made our way outside.I looked at her, raising an eyebrow. “What do you think?” I countered, knowing full well what her answer would be.“You’re seriously answering my question with a question?” she replied with mock exasperation, and we both burst into laughter, earning curious looks from the kids.“Alright, let’s settle this the usual way,” she said, finally catching her breath. “My house or your house?”Before I could answer, Rhett raised his hand in a vote. “Definitely Aunt Helen’s,” he said with a grin.“Yeah, Aunt Helen’s house!” Ruby added, flashing her brother a wide smile as she joined in.Helen and I exchanged a knowing look, trying not to laugh. She raised
ROMAN'S POVThe morning air felt fresh as I parked in front of Ruby’s company. I hadn’t expected the building to be so… impressive. The tall glass building shone brightly in the morning light, smooth and sharp against the city skyline. I stepped out of my car, straightening my coat, taking in the sight. “So, this is all Ruby’s,” I murmured, almost admiring the place. Even after all this time, it was remarkable. Now, I was catching up, piecing together bits of a life that had moved on without me, seeing how far she’d come.Inside, I made my way to the reception desk, and as I walked, I could feel all eyes on me. Whispers floated around from the employees and passersby, most of them looking somewhere between curious and thrilled.“Oh my God, it’s Roman D’Angelo,” One of them murmured, her voice barely above a breath.I smirked slightly, ignoring the gazes and whispers. “What did they expect?” I thought to myself. Fame had never really left me. But none of that mattered right now. I wa
~Ruby's POV~I kept my eyes trained on the group ahead of us, watching as they disappeared into the elevator.A soft chime echoed as the doors slid shut, swallowing them whole.Roman and I stood near the edge of the ballroom, champagne glasses in hand—props, nothing more.This was it.Roman, ever composed, reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and pulled out a small, sleek device.I barely glanced at it, keeping my gaze steady on the elevator, but I knew what it was.Roman turned slightly toward me, voice low. “Ready?”I inhaled, exhaled. Nodded.Without another word, we moved.Confidence was key.We approached the restricted area where two big men in black suits were standing guard. Their faces were hidden behind masks, making their expressions hard to read. Their eyes shifted toward us, carefully evaluating our presence.Roman didn’t skip a beat. He confidently held out the pass, his voice steady and calm—impossible to challenge."We’re expected."One of the guards took
~Ruby’s POV~I had been alone for a while now.The music from the ball still drifted faintly through the air, but I had put enough distance between myself and the chaos that it felt like a distant hum. The cool night air filtered through the open balcony doors, the faint scent of roses and expensive cologne still lingering in the air.Only God knew where Roman had gone—or how he and Liam had settled their little misunderstanding.And to be honest?I don't actually mind.As long as Roman didn’t do anything out of the ordinary—which, knowing him, was asking for too much—I wasn’t about to get involved.All I needed was a break.A moment of peace.Away from their drama.Or, should I say…Their action movie.I stood near the edge of the dance floor, watching the swirl of gowns and crisp suits move in perfect harmony. It was supposed to be a night of luxury and indulgence, but deep down, my mind was elsewhere. The tension in my chest hadn’t eased since the confrontation with Liam earlier,
~Ruby’s POV~The evening had been going smoothly—almost too smoothly—until I saw him.Liam.Standing at the bar, dressed in a crisp black tuxedo that fit him just right, he looked completely at ease in the lavish setting. The golden glow of the chandeliers cast soft highlights on his sharp features, making it impossible to ignore him. But it was the way his piercing gaze found mine across the room that made my stomach twist.And then Roman saw him.“What the hell is he doing here?” Roman muttered under his breath, in a dangerously low voice. He clenched his fist on the table, the muscles in his forearm standing out sharply.Liam’s lips curled into the faintest smirk as he raised his glass in a silent, taunting toast.I felt Roman tense beside me, and the shift in his posture was immediate. The air around us thickened, the weight of his Alpha instincts pressing against me like a storm waiting to break.I placed a gentle but firm hand on his arm. "Roman," I murmured. I had no idea why
~Liam’s POV~The day before…The city lights stretched far beyond the glass windows of my hotel room, neon reflections dancing on the smooth wooden floor. The hum of the air conditioning filled the silence as I leaned against the desk, staring at the half-empty whiskey bottle beside me. I had poured a glass earlier but barely touched it. My thoughts were too heavy, swirling with the weight of the conversation I had with Ruby.I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply."Was it right to ask her? Or should I have just stayed quiet, waited for her to bring it up when she was ready?" I muttered under my breath.The words still echoed in my mind, along with her hesitant response and the way she looked at me but couldn’t quite meet my eyes."But at the same time... she wasn't going to address it anytime soon, was she? She definitely wasn't, and if I hadn't spoken up, we’d still be dancing around the tension. And things were already weird enough."I let out a humourless chuckle and sat
~Ruby’s POV~The car was running quietly near the entrance, and the sound of the engine was the only thing breaking the tense silence between Roman and me. I sat with my hands clasped in my lap, my fingers pressing into the fabric of my dress. I took a slow breath, trying to calm the nervous energy that was building up inside me.Roman, in the driver's seat, had his phone in one hand and was typing swiftly. I glanced at him, my stomach twisting."We're here." Roman’s message to Kai was sent with a quiet whoosh.A moment later, his phone buzzed."Alright, just go to the entrance and give them the card to scan… I'll take care of the rest."Roman’s fingers hovered over the screen for a second before he replied, "Alright, on it."I swallowed hard, looking up at the venue's grand entrance. The tall, wrought-iron gates loomed before us, flanked by uniformed security guards who looked anything but welcoming. The golden glow from the entrance lights made the entire setting feel even more da
~Ruby’s POV~The scent of expensive perfume and face powder filled the room as Helen leaned in, her fingers steady as she applied the finishing touches to my makeup. The cool brush of powder against my cheek was strangely soothing, though it did little to calm my nerves."Hold still, Ruby," Helen muttered, dabbing at my cheekbone."I'm trying," I sighed, resisting the urge to shift. "But it's hard to focus with those two bouncing around like hyperactive rabbits."Across the room, the twins were a blur of movement—twirling, hopping, and nearly knocking over a lamp in the process. Little Ruby's laughter rang through the air as Rhett spun her in a dramatic circle."Be careful, you two. Don't break anything," Helen warned, arching an eyebrow at them."We won't!" Rhett called back confidently.Helen smirked. "The room can be easily replaced. But I’m not so sure about your bones—or any other part of your body."That made them stop. Mid-spin, Rhett froze, setting Little Ruby back on her feet
~Ruby's POV~I was standing at the kitchen counter, absentmindedly chopping vegetables for dinner, the knife slicing through the soft flesh of a ripe tomato with a satisfying squish. The hum of the refrigerator was the only sound in the otherwise quiet room. I had managed to avoid him for most of the evening, but I knew it wouldn’t last forever. And sure enough, just as I thought I might finally have a peaceful night, he appeared in the doorway.Liam.He stood there for a moment, his frame blocking the light from the hallway. I didn’t look up, trying to keep my focus on the tomatoes, as if I could lose myself in the task at hand. But I could sense him in the room, as if his presence was a heavy weight pressing down on me.“You’re avoiding me,” he accused flatly.I paused, the knife still held in the air. My heart raced, but I didn’t want to give him the pleasure of seeing my reaction right away. So, I finished cutting the tomato before I spoke.“I’m not avoiding you,” I replied, try
~Ruby’s POV~The clear evening air hit my skin as we stepped out of the boutique, the faint scent of expensive perfume still clinging to my clothes. The boutique attendant, poor thing, was still blushing furiously, her eyes darting anywhere but in our direction. I couldn’t blame her—walking in on me half-dressed with Roman standing next to me had clearly been too much for her.Roman, of course, was still revelling in it. His smug expression was practically carved into his face, his lips twitching as he threw one last flirtatious jab my way.“You know, if you needed help getting dressed, sweetheart, all you had to do was ask,” he mused, his voice dripping with amusement.I knew that apology instead of his usual smugness was too true to be true. I exhaled sharply, gripping the handles of my shopping bags a little tighter. “Say one more word, and I swear I’ll introduce my heels to your skull.”His chuckle was infuriatingly smooth, completely unbothered by my threat. “Now, now, no need
Ruby’s POVThis was all his fault.If Roman hadn’t insisted on this whole ridiculous “taking turns” thing, I wouldn’t have been in this situation.One second, I was reaching for the zipper at the back of the dress, and the next, my foot twisted awkwardly in these damn heels. My ankle gave out, and suddenly, gravity was having its way with me.“Shit!” I gasped as I stumbled forward. My arms flailed, grasping at nothing but air.And then—I didn’t hit the floor.Instead, I collided with something solid. Warm. Unyielding.Roman.His arms were locked around my waist, his grip strong and steady as if catching me had been second nature. My fingers had instinctively curled into the fabric of his shirt, and for a moment, all I could do was breathe, trying to process what had just happened.His scent—masculine, fresh, with that faint hint of cedarwood and something uniquely him—wrapped around me, making my already racing heartbeat go into overdrive.I swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of jus