Chapter 6: You’ve Changed

As Ruby focused on her food, Stefan rose from the bed, stretching slightly. She watched as his fingers traced along the bedside table before he moved toward the wardrobe.

He was slow, deliberate, and yet there was something almost effortless about the way he navigated the room.

He knew where everything was, but she could tell there were moments of hesitation—pauses where he had to double-check, moments where his fingers searched for confirmation before proceeding.

Her chest tightened as he opened the wardrobe and ran his hands over the hanging clothes, feeling for textures. He eventually pulled out a button-down shirt and a pair of trousers, but when he tried to fasten the first button, his fingers fumbled slightly.

Ruby set her fork down since she was full now. "Do you need help?"

Stefan exhaled, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I can do it."

She could tell he didn’t like needing help from the look on his face and she could only wonder if he’d been the one doing it all by himself all this while.

But then, after a few more seconds of struggling, he let out a quiet sigh and muttered, "Maybe I need help. Just this once and because you offered."

Ruby’s lips curled into a smile at his tactics and then shook her head.

Ruby stood, walking toward him, and gently took the fabric in her hands. She began buttoning his shirt with careful precision, her fingers grazing his chest lightly as she worked. .com

He smelled good. Clean, masculine, with a subtle hint of cologne that made her acutely aware of how close they were.

"Are you going out?" she asked, thinking Ivy would’ve asked him same if she had been the one here.

"Yes. We. We’re going out," he said and she frowned.

"We? Where are we going and why didn’t you tell me?" she asked and he shrugged.

"Well, I’m telling you now. I had something planned for us today."

Ruby’s fingers paused on the last button before she forced herself to continue. "Planned?"

"A surprise. I had it all arranged before... well, before things changed. And I still want to give it to you."

A surprise meant it was something

a step back. "What

surprise. You should get dressed after you’re done with me," he said and she raised her head to

eyes tracing every of his features. She didn’t know know how long she had been doing that until Stefan cocked his head to the

he asked abd

she said, stepping back and

he knew what she wanted to do, he allowed her.

sent a pang through her

ask someone to help you?" she asked,

too much," he said. "I have

keep control of his

Stefan turned toward her,

saying earlier," he said.

for Ivy. Whatever Stefan had planned, it was meant for

she nodded. "Alright." fr.eew eb

stood frozen as she stared at

on the rooftop of Stefan’s mansion, where a breathtaking

silk was set with the finest china, candles flickering in delicate glass

played in the background. A violinist stood at the far end, playing a melody so beautiful it sent chills down her

straight out of

and she could hear the

to scream, the way she knew Ivy would’ve but Ruby’s throat tightened. She just couldn’t do it as all she felt

here, in the midst of it

"It’s beautiful," she whispered.

wish I could see your face right

hand on his arm. "I’ll save it,"

smile faltered for the briefest moment. "You really think that’s possible?" f|re(e)web.n\ovel.

"What do you

his cane. "What if I wait a year and the doctors say it’s not possible? What

sent a sharp

had a 90% chance of improvement, but they needed a full year

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255