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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
ANYA Valentine’s Day; The day of lovers, the day I had been waiting for with my heart in my throat and dreams in my eyes. Today was going to be my day. My perfect day. I rushed into the bar, my heart pounding in anticipation. The sight of Cross made my breath catch, as it always did. He was sitting there, looking effortlessly perfect. His hair was slightly messy, his smile casually charming, and his presence magnetic. I had loved him since high school, and even now, in college, that love hadn’t faded. If anything, it had only grown stronger. He was the guy all the girls wanted, yet somehow, he remained single. That was part of his charm...unreachable, mysterious, untouchable. But not to me. I believed I had a chance. I wasn’t supposed to school at Kings college. My parents had wanted me to attend a more prestigious one, but I had whined, begged, and complained until they sent me there.....where Cross was. To me, nothing mattered more than being near him. Yesterday, I had done
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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