CHAPTER 25: RISKY GAME

The golden morning light spilled softly across the floor as Ruby stirred beneath the sheets, her head resting near the crook of Stefan’s shoulder.

For once, there was no urgency in her heart, no dread curling in her stomach. Just a strange kind of peace.

Stefan’s even breathing and the slow rise and fall of his chest were the only sounds filling the room, and for a moment, she simply lay there... breathing it all in.

The quiet wouldn’t last forever—she knew that. But for now, it was enough.

When she shifted to sit up, Stefan stirred beside her. "You’re awake already?" he murmured, voice rough with sleep.

Ruby turned to look at him, brushing her hair back from her face. "Yeah... been up a little while."

"You could’ve stayed," he said, his hand reaching for hers. "It’s early."

"I know," she smiled gently, lacing her fingers with his. "But I was thinking... we should go to the office today. You need to know how things are going around there."

Stefan’s brow quirked in amusement. "What?" he never would’ve thought Ivy would wake up one day and say they should go to the office.

"I said—"

"I heard you the first time, babe," he chuckled, pulling her closer. "It’s just... most newlyweds take the week off after their wedding. You know, enjoy their honeymoon phase. Especially when there was no honeymoon."

She laughed softly. "Well, I guess we’re not most newlyweds."

Stefan shook his head in disbelief, still smiling. "You’re serious? I really want us to stay, baby. I can’t believe you’re always the one forcing me to work now."

Ruby nodded and then giggled. "I am and that’s because work keeps things normal. And right now, I could use a little normal."

Stefan’s expression softened at her words. He could hear the subtle undercurrent in her tone—this wasn’t just about a work ethic. This was her trying to hold things together, in his stead. She was really trying to step up and he really admired that.

"If the lady insists," he said, mock surrender in his voice, "then I guess I’ve got no choice."

She nudged him gently. "Good. Now get up, Mr. Winters."

Later that morning, after sharing breakfast—simple eggs, toast, and fruit—Ruby slipped back into her room under the guise of looking for earrings, her real purpose carefully hidden under the napkin in her palm.

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She knocked softly twice against the closet door before easing it open.

Rayna peeked out with a dramatic sigh. "You know, for a prisoner, I’m not being treated too badly. But a girl could use fresh air."

Ruby rolled her eyes as she handed her the food. "You’re lucky no one else saw you sneak in last night and no one saw me sneaking food in. What would I have said was my excuse? That I probably didn’t have my fill? Or that Ivy had suddenly become a glutton?"

Rayna giggled and then grabbed the toast greedily when her eyes fell on it. "Is this strawberry jam? God, you do love me."

"I’m heading to the office," Ruby said, adjusting her blouse in the mirror.

Rayna raised an eyebrow. "Already? Girl, you weren’t even supposed to be married yesterday. Now you’re going to work like the perfect little wife? You’re taking this marriage thing a little too seriously. Don’t you think? Besides, I don’t think Ivy would’ve done any of this. You’re the reason he’s suspecting you, Rubs."

Ruby’s expression sobered, her fingers pausing at the hem of her blazer. "I know but it’s what I have to do. Besides, I’m not Ivy. I’m me and I can’t stay, knowing how much he loved his work and not have him do it well just because he’s blind. He needs me."

Rayna swallowed a bite and studied her friend carefully. "You alright? I mean, with Stefan? Last night you looked like you’d ask him when you left. Did you?"

"I’m okay." Ruby sat on the edge of the bed. "Actually... I think I’m better now after asking him."

Rayna raised both brows, surprised. "Oh? Tell me, what did he say? How did it go? Infact, why didn’t you record?" Rayna asked with a mock annoyance, making Ruby laugh.

"Sometimes I wonder if you really care about me or just care for the juicy details you always get from me. Hope you’re not using it in any story–"

"C’mon, Rub. You know I care about you but it’s the juicy details I live for. So? What happened? How did it go?" she asked and Ruby shook her head in amusement.

"Well, he said he really thought I switched so I figured it was really him—or someone close to him that sent me those texts," Ruby continued. "But after what we talked about last night... I don’t think he’s going to doubt me again. Not the way he was."

Rayna stared at her, chewing slowly. "So what, you trust him now? You don’t feel on edge around him anymore?"

"I don’t know if it’s trust or not," Ruby admitted. "But I believe he’s starting to see me... even if he thinks I’m Ivy. He said he likes this version of ’me’ better. So I’ve made up my mind—no more playing pretend. I’ll still be Ivy in name, but from now on, I’m going to be me. He likes it so he’d stop trying to figure me out now."

Rayna gave a small whistle. "That’s a risky game, Rub."

"It’s the only one I’ve got," Ruby said, standing up again. "But I need to know—when this ends, if it does—at least he fell for the real me."

Rayna set the tray aside and gave her a firm nod. "You’ve got guts, Rubs. Just promise me you won’t lose yourself."

"I won’t," Ruby said, offering her friend a small, tired smile. "That’s the one thing I’m trying to hold on to."

With that, she grabbed her purse and made her way to the front door, where Stefan was already waiting, cane in one hand, the other reaching out instinctively when he heard her heels approaching.

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"You ready?" he asked.

"I am," she said, slipping her hand into his.

And as they walked out together—husband and wife, partners in a web of truth and lies—Ruby whispered to herself,

Just one day at a time. Before long, a year would pass and everything would be over.

The ride to the office was quiet but comfortable. Ruby sat beside Stefan, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She glanced at him every now and then, watching the way he held himself—calm, composed, confident even without his sight.

There was something strong about him, something that made her feel oddly safe.

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She had made up her mind this morning. No more pretending to be someone she wasn’t. If she had to live in Ivy’s place, then at least she would bring herself into the role. Her voice. Her decisions. Her way of being. Though she’d love him the way her mother had suggested.

The car came to a stop in front of the towering glass building of Winters Corp. Ruby stepped out first and walked around to Stefan’s side, helping him out.

The warm morning breeze caught in her hair as they approached the entrance. Just before the glass doors could open, they swung wide, and two people stepped out—Oliver and Naomi.

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Winters," Oliver greeted with a polite smile. Naomi followed suit, her eyes flickering between the two of them with curiosity.

Ruby gave a friendly smile. "Morning, Oliver. Naomi."

"Let me help you, sir," Oliver offered, already moving forward to assist Stefan.

But Ruby gently stepped in between them. "It’s alright. I’ve got him," Ruby said and Stefan smiled inwardly, his mind registering the words again.

Oliver blinked, slightly surprised, but he stepped back, nodding. Naomi raised her eyebrows and exchanged a look with Oliver. Ruby didn’t miss it. It was subtle, but it was there—a silent "what’s going on with her?" but she didn’t care.

Once inside, Ruby walked Stefan straight to his office, guiding him to his chair with ease. She’d learned quickly. It surprised her, how natural it felt as though she was made just to help him.

"Naomi," Ruby said, turning to the secretary who was waiting at the door, "please bring in our coffee."

"Same preference, ma’am?" Naomi asked, her tone careful since the last thing she wanted was to get on ’Ivy’s’ neck.

Ruby hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Yes, please."

Naomi nodded and disappeared with a polite smile. But the moment she stepped out into the hallway, Oliver was already waiting nearby, leaning against the wall like he had expected her.

No matter how hard he tried to dismiss it, he couldn’t. He’d noticed it from yesterday but he also needed to sure he wasn’t the only one worried about it.

"She seems different, doesn’t she?" he said, looking toward the office door to be sure Stefan or ’Ivy’ wouldn’t hear.