CHAPTER 42: NO REGRETS

Her smile faltered just slightly—barely noticeable—but she didn’t answer right away. She took a bite of the toast, giving herself a moment to think. The sweet cinnamon flavor filled her mouth, but the warmth didn’t quite settle the sudden ache in her chest.

She liked Ethan. That was the problem. She wasn’t supposed to like anyone. Just have fun and leave.

"You know," she said after a pause, "this was supposed to be a one-night thing."

Ethan looked at her. "I figured. But that doesn’t mean it has to be, right? We could just continue this way without putting a name to this...." he said, letting his words trail off.

Rayna sighed and set her fork down. "I usually don’t link up again with my one-night stands. It keeps things clean. Easy."

"But...?" he asked, sensing there was more.

She met his gaze, her expression soft. "But with you... I wouldn’t mind. You’re different."

Hope flickered in his eyes, but before he could speak, she continued.

"That said... maybe we should leave it to fate," she said gently. "If we’re meant to meet again, we will. No pressure. No promises."

Ethan looked at her for a long moment, his jaw tight, but then he nodded. "I get it."

"I’m not saying no," Rayna added quickly, wanting to soften the blow. "I’m just not saying yes right now either."

He let out a soft breath, then leaned back against the headboard, his smile returning—faint but genuine. "You’re something else, Rayna."

"I’ve been told that before," she said with a wink, reclaiming her fork and taking another bite. "Mmm. This is actually really good."

"Glad you approve," Ethan chuckled, reaching for his own cup of coffee. "So... what’s your plan for today?"

She shrugged. "Nothing much. Might head back soon to check on a few things. I didn’t plan to stay out all night, but hey, I don’t regret it."

"Neither do I."

They ate in comfortable silence after that, occasionally exchanging soft smiles or brushing hands as they reached for the cream or jam. It wasn’t awkward, or rushed, or even sad. It was simply... fleeting.

And maybe that was what made it beautiful.

Once breakfast was over and the tray was cleared, Rayna took her bath and got dressed, slipping back into the same black dress from the night before. She fixed her hair in front of the mirror, then glanced at Ethan.

"You’ll be in town long?"

"Two weeks," he said, watching her with something unreadable in his eyes.

fre eweb\(n)ovel(.)co(m)

She nodded, not offering anything more.

Ethan walked her to the door, his hands shoved in his pockets, as though unsure what to do with them. "You sure you want to leave it to fate?"

Rayna turned to him, her eyes soft. "I think it’s better that way. We had a great night. We’ll always have that."

He didn’t argue. He just gave a small nod.

She rose onto her toes and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Thanks for breakfast... and for being you."

Then she turned and walked away.

Ethan stood at the door long after she left, wondering if fate would really be that kind.

Away from there, Ruby stirred slowly, blinking as the warmth of the morning touched her skin.

For a moment, she didn’t move. Her body still hummed with memories from last night—his touch, his breath, his voice saying words that melted her insides.

She turned her head, expecting to find Stefan lying beside her, but the space was empty—just a faint warmth left on the sheets.

A flutter of nervousness danced in her chest. What now? Where’s he and how do you face the man you gave yourself to... completely?

Pulling the sheets up to cover herself, she sat up, brushing a lock of hair from her face. Her body ached in the most tender way, but her heart was even more full—confused, terrified, but full.

She raised her head slightly, glancing at Stefan’s side of the bed again and then she saw it.

A tray sat on the bed beside her, holding breakfast. Pancakes stacked with berries, a small bowl of fruit salad, fresh orange juice, and warm toast with just the right amount of butter. A little flower sat in a glass beside the plate—picked from the garden, maybe?

Her eyes widened, and a soft laugh slipped past her lips. He did this? Was that why he wasn’t in bed?

Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up the note placed beside the tray. The handwriting was bold and neat.

fr eewe(b)nove.l.co\m

[I wasn’t sure what to do after last night... so I thought I’d try making you smile first thing in the morning. —Your husband, Stefan.]

Ruby pressed the note to her chest and she exhaled deeply. The tension in her shoulders eased, and her cheeks flushed at the thought of how considerate he was.

A voice broke the quiet. "You’re awake?"

Hearing the voice, she turned toward the sound and her heart skipped a beat. Stefan stood just at the entrance of the room, a small smile on his face.

His hair was tousled, and he was in a plain white t-shirt and grey sweats.

Ruby instinctively pulled the sheet higher, shy all over again. But then she remembered—he couldn’t see her. He couldn’t see her messy hair or the blush burning her cheeks.

Reminding herself that, she brushed a hand through her hair and sat up straighter.

She smiled and relaxed a little. "Good morning," she said softly, still hugging the sheet close.

Stefan tilted his head. "Did you... see the tray?"

"I did and the note too," she said, her voice warm. "How did you pull this off?"

He smiled fondly. "I asked the chef," he said, walking toward her slowly. "Told him it was your favorite."

Ruby’s heart skipped. She looked down at the tray again. It was Ivy’s favorite and not hers. But still... the fact that he even thought to do it, that he remembered something as small as a breakfast preference?

She didn’t have the heart to fault him. She was Ivy to him after all.

"It’s perfect," she whispered. "Thank you, baby."

He sat on the edge of the bed, one hand resting near her hip, his fingers brushing against the sheets. "Are you... okay? After last night?"

Ruby nodded, her eyes softening. "Don’t be silly. Of course I’m okay. More than okay, actually."

And she was. She looked at him—his face, his gentle smile, the way he tilted his head slightly as if listening to her every breath. He couldn’t see her, but he made her feel seen. He made her feel wanted, cared for, without even asking for anything in return.

She took a bite, and her smile widened. "Delicious."

Stefan chuckled. "Glad to hear that. I wanted to bring it in myself, but I figured I’d probably spill the juice all over you."

Ruby laughed. "I wouldn’t have minded. But... this is really sweet of you, Stefan. Thank you."

He leaned forward slightly. "I want to do more of this. For you. If you want."

That made her chest ache in the best way. She swallowed hard, trying to push down the emotion rising inside her. How was it possible to fall so deeply in love in just a week?

How did this happen in just a week? She couldn’t deny it anymore. She had fallen for Stefan—completely, utterly. The man who couldn’t see her but somehow saw her better than anyone else ever had.

Maybe love didn’t always need time. Maybe it only needed the right person... and the right heart.

She looked at him, heart swelling. I’m going to live this next year with him as if it’s the only one we’ll ever have. No regrets.

Stefan reached for her hand, lacing his fingers through hers.

"You’re quiet," he said, his thumb stroking her skin. "Are you thinking again?"

Ruby laughed lightly. "A little."

"Well, I hope it’s all good thoughts."

She smiled and nodded. "Very good."

Just then, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She picked it up and glanced at the screen.

[Hey babe. I’m at a hotel now. Let’s meet up later and don’t forget to bring my things.]

Ruby smiled softly. Of course she was. She thought as she set the phone down.

"I might go out later," she said, glancing at Stefan.

He lifted an eyebrow. "Where to?"

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "To the spa. It’s been a while since I treated myself," hoping her voice sounded casual

"Hmm." He leaned closer, a teasing smirk on his lips. "How about I join you? I don’t really want to stay away from you for too long."

Ruby’s laugh was soft and genuine. "You’re getting clingy, Mr. Winters."

"I don’t mind," he said without missing a beat. "I like being close to you."

Her heart melted a little more.

"I actually made the appointment with that friend I met up with four days ago," she said, smoothing the sheets over her lap. "Next time, I’ll take you with me. Promise."

"Hmm," he murmured, pretending to think. "Alright. But only if you promise to come back smelling like flowers and not seaweed."

Ruby laughed again, leaning forward to kiss his cheek. "Deal."