CHAPTER 141: READY TO START AFRESH

She looked at him then, really looked at him—his expression raw, vulnerable. It wasn’t the Stefan Winters she’d grown used to, the one who always had control of everything. No. This was different. He seemed scared and it was visible.

"You thought what?" she asked softly, even though she already knew.

"I was nearby, you know?" Stefan began, his voice tight. "I was following from a distance, content with just catching a glimpse of you. When I saw that the car stopped, I’d wanted to come help but I didn’t know if you’d want that. But then I saw it—that car speeding straight at you. Ruby..." He looked down, his voice catching. "I thought I was going to lose you. I didn’t even think. I just ran from my car. I didn’t even have a second thought. All I could think at that moment was your safety."

Ruby blinked, her throat tightening. She remembered it now—those arms, that warmth, the pressure of the fall. He had saved her. He’d been there right in time. What if he hadn’t been there?

"I guess I owe you my life now," she whispered. Her hand moved instinctively to her belly. "Our baby’s life too. We both owe you our life now."

Stefan shook his head. "What, no. Don’t say that. You don’t owe me anything."

"But it’s true," she said. "If you hadn’t been there—"

"I was there," he interrupted gently. "And I’ll try to always be there. That is if you’d let me."

After he said that word, silence stretched between them for a few seconds, filled only by the hum of the machines. Then Stefan took a deep breath and said, "Ruby, I need you to know something."

She turned toward him slightly, listening.

"I’m sorry," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "For everything. For pushing you away without knowing it was you all this while. I’m sorry for not seeing what was in front of me. For making you feel like you had to hide. I failed you and I failed our baby."

Ruby blinked quickly, her throat tightening again.

"I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness," Stefan continued, "but I’m asking for it anyway. Not just for me, but for us. I want you to come back to me. I want to start over. Properly. No more secrets, no more pretending. I want to start over, with you as my wife. Please, my love."

Ruby looked down at her lap, her fingers twisting in the sheets.

"I was angry at you," she said quietly. "Really angry. And hurt. Hurt that you couldn’t even give me the listening ear."

"I know," Stefan replied, his tone full of guilt.

"But," she went on, her voice shaky, "I was also angry at myself. For lying. For pretending. I should be happy you would’ve been faithful to me that way if you’d known it was me but I didn’t like I was the one at the recieving end. I was also wrong. Wrong for not telling you who I was when I should have. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I was wrong and I let fear control me."

Stefan reached out and cupped her face gently, lifting her gaze to meet his.

"None of that matters now," he said. "What matters is that you’re here. You’re safe. And our baby is safe."

Ruby gave a tiny nod. "So... what now?"

He smiled softly, the first real smile she’d seen on him in a long time.

"Now," he said, "I make it right. I want us to be together. Not just in name. Not just in memory. I want you to be my wife—for real. On paper and in heart. Not as Ivy. Not as a substitute. But as you. Ruby. Ruby, please marry me."

Her heart thudded in her chest as she looked at him. So he wanted to marry her. He loved her enough to really divorce Ivy for her. He did leave his company just to come get her. What more could she ask for? What better father could she ask for for her child?

She didn’t need to think twice about whether or not he meant any of what he said. His actions had proven it.

"I want you to be by my side through everything," he continued. "Not because of obligation. But because we love each other. Because you’ve showed me what true love is and I can’t stay a day without your love."

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Ruby let out a soft laugh, wiping a stray tear that had fallen down her cheek. "So dramatic, Mr. Winters."

He grinned. "I’ve had time to rehearse."

She bit her bottom lip, then exhaled slowly.

"Okay," she said.

He blinked. "Okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Okay, let’s give this marriage a real trial. A true one. Not built on lies or secrets."

His smile grew wider, his eyes shining with emotion. "You mean it?"

"I mean it," she whispered.

Stefan leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his hands trembling just a little. He couldn’t explain the joy that was surging through him knowing that Ruby was his now and he wouldn’t need to keep begging or staying away from her.

At that moment, the door opened slowly and both Rayna and Ethan stepped in.

They paused at the sight before them—Ruby awake, Stefan sitting close to her, both of them smiling.

Rayna’s eyes filled with tears immediately. "Oh, thank God," she said, rushing to Ruby’s side. "You’re okay."

Ruby smiled and nodded. "Yeah... I am now."

Ethan stepped beside Stefan, placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder. "Glad she’s awake. You looked like you were going to break down out there."

Stefan chuckled softly. "I nearly did."

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Rayna leaned over and gave Ruby a gentle hug. "I was so worried."

"I know," Ruby whispered. "Thank you for being there. Always."

Ethan smiled. "Looks like things are turning around."

"They are. Ruby’s mine now and we’d soon be planning our wedding," Stefan said, winking at Ethan before glancing at Ruby.

Rayna looked between them, then grinned. "Wait—did something happen?"

Stefan nodded, eyes never leaving Ruby. "Yes, everything happened. She has agreed to give our marriage a real shot."

Rayna let out a small gasp. "Finally!"

Ethan clapped Stefan on the back, grinning. "About time."

Ruby blushed, the warmth in her chest spreading with each second.

For the first time in a long while, things felt right.

She didn’t know what the future held. There were still threats out there, still shadows lurking. But for now, in that hospital room, surrounded by the people who truly cared—she felt safe. Loved, hopeful and ready.

Ready to begin again.

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