Chapter 47: Who Was He?

Finally, Stefan pulled back just a little, his hands still resting lightly on her waist. "Thank you for coming with me," he said, his voice low and sincere.

Ruby smiled, even though her chest still ached from the weight of her earlier confession. "Thank you for bringing me," she said.

He tilted his head slightly. "You know," he said thoughtfully, "even if I can’t see it, I can feel when you’re smiling."

Ruby laughed softly, brushing a hand along his jaw. "Is that so?"

"Yeah," he said. "It’s like the air around you changes." fre eweb\(n)ovel(.)co(m)

Her heart melted at that. How does he always know the right thing to say? she wondered.

A comfortable silence settled between them. Ruby looked out over the city again, feeling Stefan’s steady presence at her side. For once, she allowed herself to believe that maybe everything would be okay. Maybe he would forgive her someday when the truth finally came out.

But a small, guilty voice inside her whispered that she didn’t deserve how much he loved her.

"I wish we could stay like this forever," Ruby said quietly.

"So do I," Stefan replied, his voice matching her soft tone. He slipped his fingers between hers, holding her hand tightly. "But since we can’t, we’ll make every moment count."

Ruby smiled, blinking back the sting in her eyes. "Then let’s promise something."

He turned his head slightly, listening. "What?"

"No matter what happens," she said, squeezing his hand, "we stay by each other’s side."

There was a brief pause. Then Stefan squeezed back, firm and sure. "I promise."

Ruby closed her eyes, letting the promise settle deep in her heart. It wasn’t a guarantee against the pain she knew was coming—but it was enough for now.

Behind them, Martin cleared his throat gently.

"Sir, Madam," he said politely. "The driver is ready whenever you are."

Ruby glanced at Stefan, who smiled. "Guess it’s time to go back," he said.

She nodded, even though part of her wished they could stay up here forever, hidden away from the real world where secrets had weight and consequences.

Ruby helped Stefan as they made their way back to the elevator. As they descended, Stefan leaned closer and whispered, "Next time, I’ll plan an even bigger surprise."

Ruby laughed lightly, leaning her head against his shoulder. "I’m already looking forward to it."

the elevator carry them back down to reality, Ruby knew that no matter how many surprises Stefan planned, the

out, everything between them might

returns in form of flashes most

was his Ivy, hence he’d stopped worrying and just accepting

when she learned the truth? He would’ve loved to tell her but more than that, he didn’t want her to change back to the Ivy he knew before. No, he loved this her more and

go," Ruby said, breaking

he tried not to think

and once they got to the car and were comfortably seated, Martin drove

warmer somehow, almost like it had absorbed the leftover magic from the rooftop. Ruby helped Stefan out of the car, her hand gently wrapped around his arm, and

quietly stepped aside,

into the living room, Stefan let out a slow breath and sank onto the

had fun," Ruby said, and

said and then his smile

meant work day where he’d have to deal with Mr Ashford and

sat beside him, watching as a small frown crept across his face. His hand rubbed slowly at his jaw, a

be thinking about so

she asked softly, tilting

with a sigh, he said, "Nothing serious. Just thinking about

like this—tied down by things that should’ve been easy but were

leaned forward, lightly tapping his knee as she cut him off. "Hey," she said brightly.

And who made

with a grin. "And if you

raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "And what would that be? What punishment could you

declared, standing up and

shaking his head slowly. "Ruby, you do realize... I

teased. "You have

paused, pretending to think deeply, then grinned. "Fine. But if I step on your toes, it’s not my fault," he said and

risk," she said, tugging

an open space near the living room where there was enough room to move. She then turned on the music before going back to carefully placed his

her chin almost hurting from smiling

at first. Ruby moved slowly, swaying them to the rhythm of the song "perfect" playing in

tune, sweet and

up at him even though he couldn’t see

too, a little uncertain at first, but then his body relaxed

deny that indeed he’d found a woman, who’s perfect

without sight, Stefan still led with a kind of quiet strength. He trusted her — every step, every turn, he trusted her

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