~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
~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,
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
~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
"And the award for Best Fashion Designer goes to... Ruby Blackwood!"My heart stopped. I heard the applause, but it was distant, muted, as if I had momentarily detached from the present. Me? Ruby Blackwood, Best Designer of the Year? It felt surreal.I stared at the stage in disbelief. The host smiled brightly, waiting for me to claim the award. The room, full of clapping and cheering people, seemed to blur as I tried to process what was happening.Suddenly, a small hand tugged at mine, snapping me back to reality."Mummy!" Rhett’s excited voice pulled me back to the present as he grinned up at me, pointing toward the stage. "Aren’t you going? They’re waiting!"I blinked, my pulse quickening. "Oh my God," I whispered under my breath, shaking off the daze. How could I forget? I had won! I had won.With shaky hands, I stood up from my seat, smoothing down the fabric of my black gown as I tried to compose myself. I could feel the eyes of the entire room on me, but amidst the sea of fa
If you're wondering how it all led to this moment, where Roman is staring at the twins with wide eyes and confusion, it’s time to revisit the past. The story that began not with love, but with a fateful marriage of convenience, where neither Roman nor I could have foreseen what would come next.SEVEN YEARS AGO"Do you, Ruby Blackwood, take Alpha Roman Wilder D’Angelo as your loving husband...?" The priest's voice echoed in my ears.My heart skipped a beat as he read out the vows, each word drawing me deeper into a reality I had not chosen.How did I end up in this situation? Marrying someone I'm meeting for the first time today, a man I know only by reputation—powerful, ruthless, and feared by all.The truth stung even more because it should have been my cousin, Esperanxa, standing here today, not me.She was meant to be the one sacrificed as a bride to secure my uncle's alliance with the D’Angelo pack."Ruby?" The mention of my name snapped me back to the present. The faces around me
I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came. My throat felt tight, and my brain scrambled to make sense of the chaos spinning inside me. The dull pounding in my head grew louder, syncing with the frantic beat of my heart.How did this happen? The last thing I remembered clearly was his lips on mine, and then—my gaze drifted down to where the sheets barely covered Roman's body.Oh God. What had we done?"What the hell are you doing in my bed?" Roman repeated sharply as he pushed himself up. His emerald eyes were no longer hazy with alcohol but hardened with confusion—and maybe regret."I—I don't know," I stammered, instinctively pulling the sheets up to cover myself. Heat flooded my cheeks as flashes of last night hit me like a freight train. The kiss, the roughness of his touch, the hardness of his member in me, the feverish way we collided into each other, desperately seeking something neither of us could define. And now this—the cold, harsh reality of daylight exposing everythin
The cab's tires crunched on the gravel as it pulled up outside the mansion. My mansion—or at least, it had been. Now it stood like a mausoleum of my father’s legacy, taken over by a man who had no right to the empire my father built.I fumbled with the money and paid the driver, my fingers still trembling from the shock of Roman’s rejection. My entire world had collapsed in the space of a few hours, and now I had nowhere to go but back to the house I once called home. As I handed the driver the cash, I caught my reflection in the window. I looked like a complete stranger with my pale, drawn face. My long black hair, which is usually neatly combed, was tangled, and my eyes were red and puffy from holding back tears."Thanks," I muttered as I climbed out, my legs still unsteady. The driver gave a curt nod, and as the cab pulled away, I stood frozen, staring at the mansion. The last time I was here, I had been forced into a marriage I didn’t want, but now... what was I? A castaway. U
~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