The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped out, my mind a haze as I planned for the rest of the day. That’s when I saw him.
Roman stood there, his tall figure blocking the path, as if he’d been waiting for me.
For a split second, my breath caught. I wasn’t shocked—no, I’d expected this. Sooner or later, we were bound to cross paths. The timing was surprising.
“Roman.”
“Ruby.” His tone was low, almost conversational. “We finally met.”
I said nothing, holding his gaze as I shifted my bag higher on my shoulder.
“So,” he continued, a sardonic edge creeping into his voice, “after all the tricks you pulled at the airport, pretending to travel alone…”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I replied, my voice level.
“Cut the crap, Ruby,” he hissed. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. That little stunt you pulled—acting like you were traveling with the kids when, in reality, you left them behind.”
I tilted my head, feigning thought. “Yeah… it worked, didn’t it?”
His lips pressed int
