CHAPTER 33: MR OBSERVANT

The night had fallen gently over the Winters estate, wrapping the vast house in soft shadows and silence.

The sky outside was a velvety blanket of midnight blue, dotted with stars that twinkled faintly like whispers of forgotten stories.

Inside the house, the mood was quieter still. Stefan was in their bedroom, seated on the edge of the bed, his fingers wrapped loosely around a mug of warm tea Martin had handed him a while ago.

He tilted his head slightly toward the window, listening to the sound of wind brushing against the trees.

Ruby wasn’t there yet and he wondered where she was or what she was doing.

After a while, her footsteps echoed lightly down the hall, but instead of entering the bedroom, she paused at a different door and gently knocked before opening the door.

The door creaked open, revealing Rayna sitting on the edge of the bed, flipping through a magazine absentmindedly. She looked up, and a small smile curved her lips.

"You’re not sleeping?" Ruby asked, stepping in and closing the door behind her.

Rayna shook her head. "Not yet. Just thinking."

Ruby walked over and sat beside her on the bed. "I figured I’d check in before turning in."

Rayna looked over at her, the light from the lamp reflecting in her soft brown eyes. "That’s good. How was work today?"

Ruby sighed, rubbing her palms together. "Eventful. We finally found a loophole in the contract. Turns out this almighty Mr Sherlock can be held accountable if safety measures aren’t met, and that gives us grounds to terminate."

Rayna blinked in surprise. "Wow. That’s good news."

"It is. Stefan’s handling things really well," Ruby said, her voice warm with quiet pride. "He called for a meeting with Mr Sherlock but the man’s refusing to show. Still, Stefan’s not backing down."

Rayna smiled softly. "I’m glad. He made a promise to those workers, and it’s good to see him keep it."

Ruby nodded, eyes softening. "Yeah. It feels good watching him fight for something that matters. Makes me feel like we’re doing something right."

"You’re in love with him, Rub," Rayna observed and chuckled when Ruby didn’t deny it immediately.

"I guess it’s a good thing. But what happens after the one year is over?" Rayna asked abd Ruby shrugged.

"We’ll figure it out by then," she said and Rayna sighed.

"I just don’t want you to get hurt," Rayna said and Ruby smiled weakly.

"I also don’t want that," she said with a sigh.

There was a brief silence before Rayna shifted slightly, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her top.

"About what we talked about earlier," she said, her tone a little more serious now. "I’ve made up my mind."

Ruby turned to her fully, eyebrows raised. "You mean... leaving?"

Rayna gave a slow nod. "Yes. I want to go back to the hotel first—just for a few days—and then I’ll look for a place I can rent. I’ve stayed here long enough."

"Are you sure?" Ruby asked quietly, searching her friend’s face. "There’s no pressure to leave."

"I know," Rayna said gently. "But I’ve thought about it. You and Stefan need space, and honestly... I need mine too. I don’t want to keep staying in doors, I might run mad. Besides, it’s also draining having to sneak in food for me."

Ruby swallowed, emotions prickling at the edges of her chest. "God. We can just tell Stefan you’re my friend and want to stay with us for sometime. The house is big enough."

Rayna giggoed."Why are you acting like I’m going back? Are you forgetting that you can visit me?" Rayna asked with a shake of her head. "Besides, what happens when I need some vitamin D?" she asked with a wink making Ruby wrinkle her nose.

"You’re so far gone," she said and then sighed. "Okay. So... when are you thinking of leaving?"

"Tomorrow," Rayna said, her tone steady now. "I’ll leave after you and Stefan leave for the office."

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Ruby frowned. "And how do you plan on sneaking out without me driving you? How will you pass the gate or explain how you got in?"

Rayna gave a sheepish shrug. "Oh! I didn’t think about thar."

Ruby shook her head. "Why would you when you’re already thinking of some man. Let’s move it to Saturday. I’ll take you myself. Ill think of a lie to tell to leave the house."

Rayna smiled. "Okay. Saturday it is."

Finally, Ruby stood. "Alright. I should get back to Stefan before he starts thinking I’ve run off."

Rayna chuckled. "He probably already misses you."

Ruby rolled her eyes with a smile. "He’s not that clingy."

Rayna just raised an eyebrow and said nothing, her smirk doing all the talking.

With a laugh, Ruby reached for the doorknob. "Goodnight, Rayna. And... thank you."

"For what?" Rayna asked, tilting her head.

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"For being here," Ruby replied softly. "For helping me hold on to myself."

Rayna’s smile faded into something gentler, more sincere. "Always."

Ruby left quietly, the echo of that promise lingering behind her.

The hallway was dimly lit, bathed in a warm golden hue from the wall sconces as Ruby made her way back to the bedroom she shared with Stefan.

The house had finally quieted down, and everyone had retreated to their corners. She paused for a moment at the door, took a breath, and opened it slowly.

Inside, Stefan was still seated on the edge of the bed, wearing his usual navy sleep shirt and loose cotton pants. He tilted his head toward the door as she entered.

"I thought I heard you open your door earlier," he said casually, his voice low and calm. "Where’ve you been?"

Ruby blinked, momentarily caught off guard by how attuned he was to every sound around him. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it with a soft smile.

"I went to pick up some clothes," she said lightly.

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Stefan’s lips curved into a playful smirk. "Which one?"

Her heart skipped a beat. "What?"

"Which clothes?" he repeated smoothly. Then, before she could respond, he tilted his head and added with a teasing lilt, "Was it the red lingerie?"

Ruby stared at him, her cheeks immediately heating. A surprised laugh bubbled from her lips. "What? No!" she exclaimed, walking further into the room.

"Pity," Stefan said with a mock sigh, turning his face slightly in her direction. "I had hopes."

Ruby grinned, tossing the folded top she held onto the armchair by the wall. "Well, you can un-hope them right back. That’s not happening tonight."

Stefan raised an eyebrow. "Why not? Don’t tell me you’re suddenly shy," he teased, his tone light but curious. "We were already having sex before our wedding, remember?"

She walked toward the bed and perched on the opposite side, facing him. "Yeah, I know," she said, her voice softer now. "But... I don’t know. It just feels different now. Like... we’re not just playing pretend anymore. We’re married. It’s real."

Stefan was quiet for a second, his smirk fading into something more thoughtful. "And that makes it harder? Isn’t it supposed to make it easier? Knowing I’m yours legally now?" he asked gently.

"I know," Ruby replied. "It’s not about you. It’s me. I just need to... adjust to the idea of everything being official."

"I get that," Stefan said with a nod. "And if that’s what you want, then that’s what we’ll do."

She looked at him, touched by his willingness to meet her where she was.

"But," he added with a knowing smile, "I’m warning you, Mrs. Winters. You’ll be the one asking for it, and I’ll just say ’I told you so.’"

Ruby burst out laughing, tossing a pillow at him playfully. "Oh, really? You think so?"

He caught the pillow easily, grinning. "I don’t think—I know. I’ve seen the way you stare at me when you think I’m not paying attention."

"Please," she scoffed, rolling her eyes but smiling. "You’re imagining things."

"Nope," Stefan said confidently. "You forget—I hear everything. Even your breath changes when you get close."

Her lips twitched in amusement. "You’re cocky, you know that?"

"I’m observant," he replied smugly.

She shook her head and stood, heading to the vanity to tie her hair up in a loose bun. "Well, Mr. Observant, tonight is not your lucky night."

He chuckled. "That’s alright. I’ll wait. Patiently until you ask for it."

She shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. "We’ll see about that."

As she finished up and walked back to the bed, he held his hand out, waiting. Without hesitation, she slipped hers into it, allowing him to gently pull her into the bed beside him. He lifted the covers, and she slid under, letting the warmth of the blanket—and his presence—wrap around her.

Once she was settled, Stefan turned toward her and drew her close, his arm draped around her waist. She tucked her head beneath his chin, relaxing fully into the crook of his body.

"I like this," she murmured. "Just this."

His hand moved slowly across her back in soothing strokes. "Me too."

A peaceful silence settled between them. The outside world, with all its pressures and tension, seemed far away in that moment. In his embrace, Ruby felt safe—seen, heard, and understood.

After a long pause, Stefan whispered against her hair, "You smell like jasmine."

She smiled sleepily. "That’s because I used your shampoo."

"I think maybe it’s time to hide it," he teased.

"Go ahead," she murmured with a soft yawn. "I’ll just steal it back."

He chuckled lowly and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "You’re trouble."

"And you love it," she said, everything flowing naturally from her head without even thinking whether it was Ivy or her she was talking about.

"You’re right," he said, tightening his hold on her slightly. "I really do."

As Ruby drifted off, still cradled against him, she thought about how strange and wonderful this journey had become. It wasn’t what she imagined a fake marriage—not by a long shot. But with Stefan, it was becoming something worth discovering day by day.

And maybe, just maybe... she was starting to want it all.