Chapter 179 - 179: Rebuild

Rayna reached for the car keys just as the door opened.

Stefan and Ethan stepped in, their expressions grim—like men returning from battle.

Stefan's eyes immediately locked onto Ruby's red-rimmed ones, her tear-streaked face still frozen in quiet devastation.

Immediately, he stopped in his tracks.

"You… you already know," he said softly, regret written across his face.

Ruby nodded, her arms still wrapped around herself, her voice low. "Rayna told me. She showed me the article."

Stefan stepped forward, slowly, carefully, as if approaching a wounded bird. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you over the phone. I just… I wanted to be here. I didn't want you to be alone when you found out."

Ruby gave him a faint smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's okay. I understand. You were just trying to protect me."

He nodded, his jaw tightening. "I was. I still am."

"I just never thought Ivy could ever hurt our mom," she said as fresh tears slid down her cheek.

Stefan wrapped his arms around her and patted her head softly. "I'm so sorry, love."

For a moment, silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken grief as Ruby sobbed.

After she'd sobbed for a while, she pulled back and turned toward the others. "Let's go. I need to see her for the last time."

to Zeden General was quiet except for the occasional sniffle from Ruby and the

reality became even more suffocating when various reporters had gathered around the hospital door, asking anybody that steps

saw them, he signaled to his colleagues to help

hit her like a slap. She'd

but to look at her mother's dead face. One of the officers led her and

them with a nod, his face neutral but respectful.

gave a small nod, her voice caught in her throat. She could barely hear

she asked

glanced at the nurse

Ethan and

perfectly styled black hair now lay flat against the pillow. She didn't look cruel or cold anymore. She looked…

trembling as she brought it to her lips. The sight of her mother like this—lifeless, empty and without

would've yelled at her and ask what she was doing

gave out, and Stefan rushed to steady her before she hit the floor. She gripped the side of

sorry we didn't fix it. I hated so much about

out, hovering over Regina's cold fingers

She closed her eyes.

her mind. It's not your fault. You're grieving what

had yet

she whispered, her voice fierce beneath the pain. "I'll love all my children. No matter who they are. No matter what they do. I'll love them equally. I'll protect and discipline them when need be. And I'll teach them right from wrong. I'll

stood there for a few more moments in silence, as if

hand on the small of

once they were outside

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