CHAPTER 131: TAKE ME HOME

Rayna stood in front of the mirror in her room, brushing out the loose strands of her hair as she glanced at the time on her phone screen.

It was a little past ten, and she still had about thirty minutes before the meeting. Her heart beat faster the closer the time came.

She wasn’t sure what exactly she expected from Stefan. Maybe an apology. Maybe a desperate plea. Or maybe just a confirmation that he truly regretted the pain he had caused.

Whatever it was, she was going to hear him out. Just once. Then she’d decide what to do with the information after.

She applied a light layer of foundation, glossed her lips, and pulled her hair into a casual ponytail. Nothing too much. She didn’t want Ruby asking questions if she noticed she was dressed too nicely.

Sliding into a pair of jeans and a loose cream top, she took one last look in the mirror and grabbed her keys and purse.

She would’ve gone to check on Ruby but since she was still asleep a few minutes ago when she checked before coming to take her bath, she decided to leave and return before she woke up. It was better that way.

As she stepped into the hallway, Ruby’s door creaked open. Rayna froze. Why would she be awake just when she was about to leave?

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Ruby appeared in the doorway, still in her pajamas, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her hair was slightly messy, and her voice was soft with sleep.

"Rayna?" she asked. "You’re going out?"

Rayna blinked, trying to act casual. "Yeah," she said with a nod. "Just heading to the store. We’re low on a few things."

Ruby’s brows furrowed slightly as she stepped farther into the hallway. "Store? But there’s a lot of foodstuff in the pantry. You just stocked up three days ago."

Rayna offered a small shrug, already turning toward the door. "Yeah, I know. But we’re almost out of coffee. And I want to grab some fresh fruits and maybe a few snacks. I won’t be long."

Ruby stepped into the living room, watching Rayna closely. Something didn’t sit right with her.

"I’ll come with you," Ruby said quickly.

Rayna paused at the door, her back stiffening just slightly before she turned around with a laugh. "No, no. It’s okay. You just woke up. Go take a shower, have some tea or something. I’ll be back before you even miss me."

Ruby narrowed her eyes. "I’m fine. I can get ready in five minutes."

Though Ruby couldn’t place it, but it did seem like Rayna was lying or hiding something from her. What she couldn’t place was why.

Sensing that Ruby was probably suspicious of her, Rayna walked over to her and gave her a playful push on the shoulder. "It’s not that serious, Rubes. I just want some alone time. You know, a little morning escape before the day starts getting crazy. You get to laze around today. Let me do the boring run."

Ruby hesitated, her eyes scanning Rayna’s face, searching. There was something in her tone. Something she was trying to hide. But before Ruby could say anything else, Rayna smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

"Love you," she said. "And see you soon."

With that, she turned and walked out, her sandals tapping against the tiled floor as the door clicked shut behind her.

But Ruby didn’t go back to bed. Instead, she stood there for several seconds, staring at the door, unease twisting in her stomach.

Rayna was lying. Why would she lie to her?

She crossed her arms tightly. What was going on?

Her eyes drifted toward the living room window, just in time to see Rayna’s car pull out of the driveway and head down the road.

Ruby stood frozen for only a moment before springing into action.

She rushed into her room, changed into something casual—a pair of jeans, sneakers, and a hoodie—then pulled her hair into a quick bun. She grabbed her phone and purse and slipped out of the house quietly, locking the door behind her.

There was no time to think it through. She needed to know where Rayna was going and why she was being so secretive.

She flagged down a cab just a few feet from the door, got in, and told the driver to follow Rayna’s car which was not so far ahead.

"Not too closely," she added, voice low and urgent. "Just keep her in sight."

The driver gave her a curious glance through the mirror but nodded.

As the cab followed at a distance, Ruby sat with her heart pounding in her chest. This wasn’t like Rayna at all. Something had to be going on. Something Rayna didn’t want her to know.

Was she meeting someone? Or hiding something from her? Was it perhaps what she wanted to say to her yesterday but couldn’t say?

She’d noticed the hesitation on Rayna’s face the day before especially since she’d heard Rayna talking to someone but she’d claimed not. What was she hiding?

The closer they got to the heart of town, the more questions flooded Ruby’s mind.

And for some reason, the pit in her stomach kept growing heavier.

Because deep down... a part of her already feared who Rayna might be meeting but she just hoped and prayed it wasn’t what she thought.

Ruby sat quietly in the back of the cab, watching as Rayna’s car pulled into a small parking spot directly across from the city library. Her brows furrowed when she saw Rayna step out of the car, purse in hand, glancing around before heading inside the café adjacent to the library.

A café? Ruby’s frown deepened. That didn’t look anything like a quick grocery run.

"Stop here," she told the cab driver. He parked across the street, and Ruby leaned forward slightly, her eyes fixed on the entrance of the café like a hawk. Minutes passed—long, slow minutes that made her chest tighten with unease.

Then the door opened again.

And her heart stopped.

Stefan Winters walked in.

Ruby’s mouth went dry. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her purse as she stared, unable to tear her eyes away from the scene before her. There was no mistaking it. Rayna was sitting at the corner table inside, and Stefan was now sliding into the seat opposite her.

Her stomach twisted. That familiar ache she thought she’d buried deep returned with full force.

She didn’t wait to see more. She didn’t want to know if they shook hands, smiled, or exchanged any kind of warmth. She couldn’t bear it.

Without a word, Ruby tapped the cab driver’s shoulder. "Take me home," she said, her voice quiet but clipped.