CHAPTER 117: I’M SORRY

The engine’s hum filled the silence in the car as Rayna drove through the winding coastal roads. Ruby sat slumped in the passenger seat, her arms wrapped around herself like a shield.

The wind outside blurred into streaks against the glass, but inside, it felt like time had slowed. The tightness in her chest hadn’t eased. If anything, it had only grown heavier.

"I can’t believe he came all the way here," she muttered, her voice low and trembling. "I left for a reason. I just... I didn’t want to feel like this again."

Rayna reached over and turned down the radio volume. "I know, Rubes. I know. That wasn’t fair of him."

Ruby let out a bitter laugh. "Fair? Since when has anything about this entire situation been fair? He didn’t even give me a chance, Ray. Not once. I begged for just a simple chance to speak to him but he... he just looked at me like I was some kind of manipulative monster. And now he shows up like the wounded victim, talking about how he loves me?"

Rayna gave a soft sigh but didn’t interrupt.

"I stood there," Ruby continued, her voice rising. "I stood there, right in front of him the day he got his sight back—his sight, Rayna—and the first thing he and his dear wife did was accuse me. Humiliate me. All that time I was by his side, taking care of him, lying for him, protecting his image, fighting against his enemies, fighting for his company.... it meant nothing."

She turned her face toward the window, blinking furiously. "It’s like I never mattered. Not as Ruby, not even as Ivy. I was just a pawn in Elizabeth’s and Ivy’s twisted play."

Rayna reached over again and placed a hand on Ruby’s arm, her grip warm and grounding. "You did matter. He just didn’t see it soon enough."

"But it’s too late now," Ruby whispered. "Everything hurts too much. I feel like I’m cracking from the inside."

Rayna slowed the car and pulled into a quiet overlook, parking in front of the sea. She turned off the ignition and looked at Ruby gently. "You don’t have to hold it together for me, Ruby. You don’t always have to be strong."

And that broke the dam.

Ruby leaned into her friend’s shoulder, sobbing softly, letting the weight of the last week—of the months of deception, the heartbreak, the betrayal—come spilling out. Rayna held her, letting her cry, rubbing slow circles on her back as the waves crashed gently in the distance.

After a few minutes, Ruby wiped her face and sat up with a sniffle. "I’m sorry," she said hoarsely. "I didn’t mean to break down like that. Not when I know you must be having your own difficulties."

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Rayna gave her a crooked smile. "It’s nothing, Rubes. Being here to console you when you break down? It’s what I’m here for. It’s exactly why we’re best friends so don’t ever apologize."

Ruby looked away, then hesitated before murmuring, "I’m sorry, Ray. That Stefan used Ethan to find me. That it dragged you into this too."

Rayna shrugged, her voice a little too even. "It’s okay. I’m used to men using me. Should’ve known better than to trust one just because he seemed decent once or twice. I should’ve just left it at what it was. A one night stand."

Ruby shook her head quickly. "No, don’t say that, Ray. This isn’t Ethan’s fault. It’s Stefan. He’s the one who used the people around him. I don’t think Ethan even knew—"

Rayna let out a sharp breath, her brows lifting skeptically. "Ruby, come on. Don’t defend him. He was at your doorstep. In Stefan’s car. Just sitting there. I don’t care what sweet things he said to me—he knew. I could feel it in my gut."

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"I don’t think so," Ruby said quietly. "Ethan and you met what? Six months ago?"

"Yeah," Rayna nodded slowly, watching her.

"So there’s no way he could have known who you were me. There wasn’t even a connection back then. I honestly believe he asked you out on the date because he liked you. The rest... I think he just got caught up in it once he realized who you were to me."

Rayna bit her lip. "You’re giving him a lot of credit."

"No, I’m not," Ruby said quietly. "I just.... I can feel it. If there’s anyone who’s been sincere in all this madness, it’s Ethan. I’m sure he never approached you just for Stefan to get to me. I mean, you said it yourself. He liked you right from that night six months ago. Maybe you both would’ve been dating now if only you’d given him the chance six months ago."

Rayna looked at her, her heart aching. "Rubes... I want to believe that too. I really do. But maybe now’s not the time to chase the maybes. Maybe right now, you just need to focus on yourself. On your baby and on what you’re going to do from here on."

Ruby leaned her head back against the headrest, letting her eyes flutter shut. "There’s nothing to do. It’s over. Me and Stefan... it’s done. Honestly, it was never real to begin with. It was all built on lies, and when the truth came out, it wasn’t strong enough to survive it."

Rayna was quiet for a moment, then said softly, "You really loved him."

"I did," Ruby whispered. "And I think I still do. But I can’t love someone who doesn’t trust me. Not anymore. Not when it cost me this much."

"What about your baby? Do you want him to know? I mean, it’s one thing to not want him again but it’s another thing to keep him away from his child," Rayna said, looking at Ruby who just shook her head.

"I don’t know but right now, I don’t think I want him anywhere near me or my baby. Maybe after it’s born, I’ll consider him being a part of her life but right now, I just want to focus on myself and heal from all this hurt."

They sat in silence for a few moments, the crash of the waves below filling in the space between them.

Finally, Rayna started the car again. "Then let’s move forward. One day at a time."

Ruby nodded. "Yeah. One day at a time."

But as they drove back toward the town so they could go check the space, Rayna couldn’t help thinking about Ethan. Wondering if anything—anyone—could ever really be trusted again after what Ethan had done.