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144: Ghosts Of the Past
Last Updated:
2025-03-09 21:39:11
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Will You Marry Me? 145: A Dangerous Game
The silence in the room stretched for minutes. Hector sat on the edge of the bed, watching Ruby carefully. Then, without a word, he picked up the plate. He held out a spoonful of food. “Eat.” Ruby hesitated, shaking her head. “I meant what I said...I really don’t have much of an appetite.” Hector didn’t budge. “I’m not asking, Ruby. Just eat a little. You’re going to break down if you keep this up.” She sighed, looking away. He exhaled. “You know, I left an important meeting for you. I don’t do things like this. I don’t sit by anyone’s bedside and care for them. But here I am.” She looked at him, eyes soft. “Thank you.” His jaw clenched. “I don’t want your thanks, Ruby. I want your honesty.” His gaze locked onto hers. “Are you still hurt by Don Gray’s death?” She frowned. “No.” “Were you in love with him?” She stiffened at the question. Then, without hesitation, she swore on her life. “I despised that man, Hector. With a passion. And now that he’s dead?” Sh
Last Updated : 2025-03-09Will You Marry Me? 146: A Web Of Lies And Secrets
Ruby stood frozen, her entire world shrinking to the sight of Eduardo and Selina. Her mind raced. Every betrayal. Every lie. Every moment they had crushed her. She could still hear the cold way Eduardo had spoken to her the last time they met. She could still remember the way she had received the news of her father’s death. And now he was here. Laughing. Holding Selena like she was the love of his life. Like she hadn't destroyed everything Ruby ever had. Her fingers dug deeper into Hector’s hand, unaware of the blood that had begun to surface. Hector, on the other hand, remained composed. He turned slightly, his sharp gaze sweeping the beach before he gestured for one of his men to approach. As the underling leaned in, Hector spoke in a low voice. “See the man in white? The one looking lovingly at the woman in the pink playsuit?” The underling nodded. “Get close to them. Find out his name. Take a picture of him...discreetly.” The man gave a subtle nod befor
Last Updated : 2025-03-10Will You Marry Me? 147: A Game Of Deception
As the plane soared through the skies, Ruby stayed close to Hector. She blamed herself. She had made a mistake. She had allowed too many emotions to slip through. And because of that, Hector hadn’t fallen completely into her hands yet. She needed to fix it. She needed to convince him that she was hopelessly, unconditionally in love with him. So, she adjusted. She rested her hands on his shoulder, leaned into him, laughed at everything he said...even the things that weren’t funny. She hugged him whenever she had the chance, looked at him with admiration, and spoke to him in the softest, sweetest tone. Hector watched her carefully, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he let her play her game. When they made their first stop to refuel, Ruby turned to him with a small smile. "I need to take you somewhere," she said. Hector raised a brow. "Where?" She simply smiled. "Just trust me." Hector leaned back in his seat, smirking. Trust? That was something he was n
Last Updated : 2025-03-11Will You Marry Me? 148: Buried Secrets
As soon as they got into the car, Hector turned to his underling. "Where are we headed?" he asked, his voice calm. The underling hesitated. "It's not something I can explain," he finally said. "I just need to show you." Hector's brows lifted slightly. Mysterious. He didn’t like mysteries. Especially not when they involved him. Because he had been betrayed before, Hector never fully trusted anyone. Not his enemies. Not his underlings. And definitely not the woman sleeping in his bed. Since this one refused to disclose what they were going to find, Hector decided to let him have his way. But at the same time, he discreetly prepared his weapon. If this was a trap, he would deal with it immediately. And if his underling was up to no good? Well… he wouldn’t live to see another sunrise. When the car finally came to a stop, Hector frowned. A cemetery. He stepped out slowly, scanning the area. The air was still. His underling pointed ahead. "Read what’s writt
Last Updated : 2025-03-11Will You Marry Me? 149: A Shift In Perspective
On the drive back home, Hector’s mind was in turmoil. Everything he had believed was a lie. Ruby had struggled...fought...to convince him that she was someone else. But he hadn’t listened. He had refused to listen. And now, he finally understood. He leaned back against the seat, eyes dark. Eduardo. That bastard. Hector had spent years perfecting the art of punishment, but what punishment could ever be enough for what Eduardo had done to Ruby? He had destroyed her life. Sold her. Framed her. Left her to rot. His fists tightened. But then, an odd thought crossed his mind. 'Why did she stop trying to convince me?' 'Why did she eventually accept it?' 'If she had stood her ground… if she had fought a little harder… Would I have figured it out sooner?' He exhaled sharply. His underling, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. “What are you going to do now?” Hector stared out of the window, expression unreadable. "The right thing," he
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Will You Marry Me? 150: The Inevitable Goodbye
After dinner, Ruby followed Hector into his room, smiling because she finally got him to eat everything she made. She believed she was so close to finally gaining his trust. She had no idea that he had already made up his mind. No matter what, he had to send her away. Keeping her here… it was wrong. This wasn’t her world. She deserved something better...a life far from him, far from danger. But before she left, he wanted to give her something. Something that truly mattered to her. So when she entered the room and saw him lost in thought, she walked over and sat on his thigh, wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed his cheek, her lips soft against his skin. "What’s on your mind?" she asked, her voice gentle. Hector blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "I was thinking of doing something nice for you," he admitted. Her brows lifted slightly. "Oh?" "Yeah." His gaze locked onto hers. "Tell me," he said. "Is there something you really want?" Her e
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Will You Marry Me? 151. Tied To You
Ruby was falling. Her body hit the ground hard, but she didn’t feel the pain. Her vision blurred, everything fading into darkness. The last thing she saw was a figure running toward her. His voice cut through the haze, shouting her name. Hector. She knew it was him. But she couldn’t hold on any longer. Her eyes closed as the world slipped away. She woke to the sound of steady beeping. Cold sheets beneath her. A dull ache in her chest. Ruby blinked slowly. Bright lights above her head. White walls. The smell of antiseptic. She was certainly in a hospital. And then... She felt a hand holding hers. Warm and strong. Her eyes shifted, and there he was. Hector. Sitting by her side, his dark eyes locked onto hers. His grip tight, like he was afraid she might slip away again. “Where… where am I?” she whispered. Her voice was weak. “Am I… still alive?” Hector’s jaw clenched as he nodded. “You’re alive,” he said. His voice was low. “Thank God you’re
Last Updated : 2025-03-13Will You Marry Me? 152: An Attack
Hector sat quietly for a moment, staring at Ruby like he was seeing her for the first time. Then his voice broke the silence. “I want to make you a promise,” he said. “From now on, I will never keep you with me against your will. But I’ll also never send you away again.” Ruby’s eyes widened slightly. She held her breath, unsure if she had heard him right. “You’re free,” he continued. “You can come and go as you please. Do whatever makes you happy. If one day you decide to leave, I won’t stop you.” He leaned forward, locking eyes with her. “That’s my promise.” For a second, there was silence. Then her lips slowly curved into a faint smile. “Turns out getting almost killed was for the best,” she said lightly, though something in her voice shook. But Hector didn’t smile back. His expression hardened. “No,” he said firmly. “It wasn’t. And don’t you ever try something like that again. I don’t like it.” Ruby’s smile faded just a little. She nodded. “I won’t,” she promised so
Last Updated : 2025-03-13
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Will You Marry Me? EPILOGUE
THREE MONTHS AGO Maya Suarez sat cross-legged on the carpet, helping her 12-year-old sister, Star, with her homework. Laughter bubbled between them as they joked over math problems in Star’s brightly colored room. For a brief moment, everything felt normal and safe. Then came a knock on the door. “Maya,” her stepmother’s shrill voice called. “Come out here. Now.” Maya stood up, exchanged a glance with Star, and stepped outside. Her heart sank the moment she saw him. Standing beside her stepmother was a man nearly twice her age—big-bellied, sweat-stained, and grinning beneath a thick mess of unkempt gray beard. His eyes were beady, too close together, and he looked her up and down with undisguised hunger. “What is this?” Maya asked flatly. “Cat?” Cat, her stepmother, beamed. “Maya, you remember I told you about the handsome man you’re going to marry? This is Angel. He came to see his bride. We’re going to start planning the wedding.” Maya recoiled. “What marriage? Liste
Will You Marry Me? 190: Because Of You
After Ruby accepted Hector’s proposal, he stood up, taking her with him, and crashed his lips against hers, pouring every ounce of love, pride, and joy into that kiss. Around them, the room erupted in claps and cheers. Carlos whistled, Hunter grinned and clapped with both hands, while even Manuel gave a crooked smile and joined in. And to Ruby’s surprise, Anya clapped the loudest. The moment Hector pulled back from the kiss, Anya squealed in delight and rushed toward Ruby. “I’m so excited! Welcome to the family!” she said, throwing her arms around Ruby. Ruby blinked, caught off guard. She’d seen Anya earlier, tucked slightly behind Hunter, but now seeing her up close, she was stunned by how young she looked. She smiled as she gently pulled back and glanced at the ring on Anya’s finger. “Wait… you’re married?” Ruby asked with a surprised laugh. “But you look so young!” Anya giggled. “I am! Nineteen years old and married to Hunter Steele.” She said it with pride, like a girl
Will You Marry Me? 189: One Month Later
Ruby couldn’t stop smiling as she held Hector’s hand, their fingers intertwined like they’d been molded that way from the start. The past one month had felt like a fairytale—a soothing balm to every scar life had left on her. She had never known peace could feel like this. Being with Hector was like waking up to sunlight after years of cold storms. He treated her like the most precious gem in the world, never raising his voice, never letting her lift a finger when he was around. He always knew exactly what she needed—even before she said it. He was soft with her in ways no one else had ever been. The man the world feared—the cold, ruthless mafia boss known for his brutality—became someone entirely different when he was with her. He was gentle, warm and patient. Even Camilla, who had once pointed a gun at Hector’s head, eventually had to admit that Hector brought out the best in Ruby—and perhaps, Ruby brought out the best in him too. Her father had adjusted well to the ne
Will You Marry Me? 188: Drenched And Devoured
Ruby clung to Hector’s chest, holding him tightly as sleep slowly overtook her. With her arms wrapped around him and his steady heartbeat beneath her ear, she drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep. By the time she opened her eyes again, the morning sun had already begun streaming through the curtains. She blinked a few times and reached across the bed—only to find it empty. She sat up immediately, heart racing. “Hector?” she called out, glancing around the room. “Hector?” Her voice wavered. Was it all a dream? Her hand flew to her lips—the place he had kissed her the night before. The warmth of his touch, the passion, the softness of his voice... it had all felt so real. Her eyes welled up with tears. “No,” she whispered, “It felt too real to be a dream.” Just then, the bathroom door opened. Hector stepped out with a towel slung around his waist, his hair damp and messy from a shower, water glistening across his chest. His skin was golden under the light, his sharp jawline
Will You Marry Me? 187: Get Out
When Camila arrived home, the last thing she expected to see was Antonio leaning casually against her front door, arms crossed and a soft smile playing on his lips. For a moment, her heart softened at the sight of him—tall, and familiar. She walked up to him with a smile of her own and pulled him into a warm, slow kiss. He leaned into it, surprised but pleased. When they parted, he raised an eyebrow. "Okay," he said. "What was that for? You’re unusually sweet today. Should I be worried?" Camila chuckled as she fished out her keys. “I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe I’m just catching some of Ruby’s happiness. It’s contagious, I guess.” Antonio followed her inside, closing the door behind them. “Hmm. Ruby… happy,” he repeated with a dry laugh. “That’s good. Really good. But sometimes I wonder if you two came out of the same womb, with how strongly you feel about her.” Camila snorted as she dropped her bag by the couch. “You wouldn’t understand,” she said, walking into the kitche
Will You Marry Me? 186: The Way Love Tastes
Seeing Camila standing there with a gun pointed straight at Hector, Ruby instinctively stepped in front of him. “What are you doing?” she asked, her voice sharp and protective. Without hesitation, she moved forward and snatched the gun from Camila, tossing it across the room. Camila’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I should be the one asking you that! Why is this monster in your room?” Hector smirked from behind Ruby. “Camila,” he said calmly, “you know, I never got the chance to say I admire your loyalty. It’s… impressive.” Camila glared at him, then turned to Ruby. “What the hell is going on here? Are you seriously sitting with a ghost?” Hector, unbothered, sat down and crossed his legs, silently watching the drama unfold. Ruby took a breath. “I’ll explain everything. Hector survived, Camila. He’s been alive… and he’s been protecting me. He’s not here to hurt me. He saved me.” “I still don’t get it.” “The bottom line is…” Ruby hesitated, then looked straight at Camila.
Will You Marry Me? 185: Pregnant?
After the passion was spent, Hector pulled away and slowly reached for his clothes. The heat between them had cooled, leaving behind an echo of everything they’d shared—everything they’d lost and what still lingered in the air like a ghost. Without a word, he began to dress, his movements quiet, detached, as though what had just happened didn’t exist or had never meant anything. Ruby lay there for a moment, watching him. Her heart pounded against her chest—not from desire anymore, but fear. Fear that this would be the last time she'd see him. Fear that this was goodbye. She quickly got out of bed, wrapping the sheet around her as she rushed to him, throwing her arms around his torso from behind, pressing her face against his bare back. “Please, Hector,” she whispered, her voice already breaking. “Please… don’t go.” Hector froze. He didn’t move and said nothing. She clutched him tighter, her arms trembling. “Don’t walk away from me. Not like this.” He gently pried her hands
Will You Marry Me? 184: The Man At The Door
The house was quiet. The kind of silence that didn’t bring peace but stirred everything he was trying to bury. Hector stood by the window of his study, arms folded tightly across his chest, staring out into the vast backyard that once reminded him of freedom. Now, it only reminded him of Ruby. A knock came on the door. “Come in,” Hector said, his voice flat. The door creaked open, and one of his trusted men stepped inside. He looked hesitant, like he wasn’t sure if he should speak. “Well?” “She came, boss,” the underling said quietly. “Ruby.” Hector didn’t flinch, but inside, something shifted. “She said… she needs to see you. Just once. She said it’s important. That if she sees you one more time, she’ll never bother you again.” He turned away from the window and sat on the edge of his desk, one hand rubbing his jaw. “Did she say what it was about?” “No. Only that it was important. She seemed sincere. Sad.” Of course she did."I told her you were dead, just as yo
Will You Marry Me? 183: Just Once
Hector gently pried Ruby’s trembling hands away from his body, even though every cell in him ached to do the opposite—to turn around, pull her into his arms, and hold her close like he used to. But he didn’t. His voice was clipped, and unreadable. “I need to get rid of these bodies,” he said flatly, without looking at her. The moment she heard his voice, Ruby gasped sharply. It was like the air had been knocked out of her lungs. Her knees weakened, and her heart thumped wildly in her chest. It was him. It was really Hector. Alive. Breathing. Standing just inches from her. And yet… he wouldn’t even look at her. While her thoughts spun out of control—memories, regrets, guilt crashing all at once—Hector raised his phone to his ear and gave a cold order. “Come in. Bring two body bags with you.” Ruby remained frozen where she stood, staring at the blood pooling near her feet and the lifeless bodies of Eduardo and Selena. But none of it moved her. The shock that Hector was still al
