Chapter 156: Together As One

Even as she leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder, a quiet thought floated in her mind like a cloud refusing to drift away.

What was he hiding?

She knew he was hiding something because Stefan never stopped her from calling Rayna or holding her phone. Never avoided eye contact when talking about business. And he definitely never fumbled when explaining legal issues—he always explained them with confidence.

Something wasn’t adding up. Still, Ruby said nothing more.

She didn’t want to ruin the peace of the morning. But her heart was no longer settled.

Though Ruby had decided to just stay off her phone and just enjoy the time with Stefan as he’d said, but the odd glances he gave his screen, the tension in his shoulders when she had mentioned calling Rayna, the way he tried too hard to distract her—it didn’t sit right.

Though Ruby wasn’t the type to jump to conclusions, but something deep in her gut told her there was more to it.

So when Stefan excused himself to the study to "take a quick call," Ruby decided to act quickly.

She reached for her phone from the side table. It was right where she left it, but now it burned with questions.

Unlocking it, she opened her messages and clicked on Rayna’s name.

[Hey... are you free to talk?] She texted. Though she would’ve preferred to call, she didn’t want to leave there, just in case Stefan was coming, she’d see him and hide her phone.

She stared at the message, heart thudding lightly, wondering what she even wanted to say. A minute passed. Then another but the three dots popped up.

[Oh my God, Rubes. I’ve been trying to call. How are you holding up? Are you okay? I hope you’re not crying after reading those horrible comments. Please don’t let it get to you. None of it is true.]

Ruby froze when she read the text, confusion clouding her mind.

What was Rayna talking about? What horrible comments and why was she so worried?

Instead of asking herself too many questions she didn’t have the answers to, she quickly typed it and sent before Stefan could come out.

[Rayna... what are you talking about? What comments? And why do you sound so worried? Didn’t you call to tell Stefan you were going out with Ethan? What’s going on?]

was

you haven’t seen

what?] Ruby texted

Ruby off her phone to keep

didn’t she confirm with Stefan first? Rayna asked herself as a deep sigh escaped her lips. There was no hiding

I didn’t mean to be the one to break it to you like this... I really thought you’d seen it and was texting me because you

she rose and headed to the kitchen so that Stefan wouldn’t come now when she

moment she got into the kitchen. [Break what to me, Ray? Please.

just when she thought of calling Rayna direct, her phone buzzed with an

pregnant to steal her husband. She even said that you were pretending to be her—that

the ground sway

as she felt the walls around her

now. Didn’t know he was probably trying to keep it away. But I know you, Rubes. You’re stronger than this. Don’t let it get into your head. Your pregnancy is more important than any of

from the realization that Stefan... had been protecting her from whatever Ivy had spilled online. He’d

He knew she’d be crushed. That it would break her heart. And instead of telling her, he’d

as she opened her browser and searched for

first link she saw with Ivy’s

it was—her sister’s face, beautiful and tear-streaked, on camera. Her voice trembled as

blurred. She scrolled down to the comments and realized why Rayna

"Disgusting."

that to

Ivy. She

and Stefan are horrible

because she believed

who didn’t know

her heart. Didn’t know the

Stefan—he had tried to shield her from all of it even when

he was so busy with his phone even though he was trying not to show it.

the living room and when she saw that Stefan was still not back, she

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