I woke up on Wednesday morning, feeling worse for wear, and no matter how I tried, I wouldn’t bring myself to stand up from the bed to begin the day.“You wanted this, Ruby.” I made sure to remind myself that it was my choice in the first place. I chose to go on with the divorce, and whatever the judge decides, it is on me. “Alright, I have to do this.” I said, getting up from the bed.As if by coincidence, my phone began to blare, and I took one look at it and sighed. It was my lawyer on the phone.“Good morning, Ruby.”“Mmm.” I grumbled, even though there was nothing good about this morning. His voice was cheery and bright, quite the opposite of my feelings.Even the weather was too bright and beautiful, it was as if it were trying to mock me. “Why today of all days?!” I lamented.“Were you saying something?” John’s voice disrupted me, and I shook my head, forgetting he wouldn’t see me.“No, please, continue.”“Yeah, so I was just calling to remind you of everything we have talked ab

“Alex.” I said it in shock, like I hadn’t been the one at his door.“Ruby?” His pupils were widening in surprise as he looked at me. “I wasn’t expecting you so fast.”“Yea. Me too.” I said beneath my breath. I didn’t even think I was going to come here, yet I was standing in front of his room. He was still standing at the door, and I looked at him pointedly. “Am I going to stay outside?”“Please come in.” He said, gesturing to the room and moving to the side to allow me in. The smile refused to leave his lip, and it had me melting.“Thank you.” I entered the luxury suites and made for the sofa I had seen.Alex was still tending awkwardly to the side, swinging his hands around like he didn’t know what to do with them. And it was almost cute watching him.At the same time, he was the one who had invited me, yet he looked so shocked.My eyes widened as I saw the serpent in front of me, and I was screaming before I knew it. “Wow.” But I was quick to turn it into a cough and a bout of snee

As I walked down the stairs, I half expected him to follow me; that was the reason I had taken the stairs instead of the elevator and the reason I was walking like I was a snail, just to stall time.Who was I kidding?I should have known that Alex’s ego was too big for that, and I had already angered him more than I could count. I had pushed him to his limit, and he had backed down.As I walked out of the lobby, I bowed my head down, trying to make myself small. Even though the staff didn’t say anything, I could feel their judge gaze on me, and just the walk felt very much like the walk of shame.I made it through my own personal hell, and I was rushing to where I had parked my car, entering into it, and driving off without looking back. I headed straight for home, although it was a little difficult trying to see the road when my eyes were filled with water.I had just blown my chance of having anything with Alex, and tomorrow he will be going back to New York, and that will be the en

In all the times that I had known Jeremy, this was the first time I heard such a tone from him, and I couldn’t bear to hear it. It was monotone and dull, as if all life had been sucked out of him and there was nothing else he would do.“Jeremy?” I came closer to him, but he shifted away from me, and that hurt me more than I could have imagined.“I must apologize; I didn’t know you had a visitor. I will be on my way now, but here, I have something for you.” He said, stretching his hand towards me to reveal a hint box. “Goodbye,” he said, turning to go, but I held his hands to prevent him from doing so.“You just came here; surely you can’t just leave like that,” I said to him, completely ignoring Alex.“I don’t see any need for me to stay here any longer; you have a visitor, and you seemed to be busy. I wouldn’t want to disturb what you have.”I rolled my eyes at him. Men, why do they have so much ego?“Come on, it wouldn’t be bad if we could all gather in the living room and celebrate

“Fucking hell.” Alex growled as he saw me, and he was already on his feet, walking towards me as if he were enchanted. “Ruby.” He groaned as if he were in pain.“How do I look?” I asked, twirling for him. I already knew the answer from the way he was devouring me, but I needed to hear him say it.“Magnificent. If you weren’t single, I would have fought your man just to be with you.” Alex had said, and I shielded my mouth with my hands as I laughed.His eyes raked over my entire being, looking at me appreciatively, and I was beaming with pride. I have never been so happy that I got this dress.“I think you have asthma because anytime I see you, you take my breath away,” Alex said, and I was shaking my head, almost doubling in laughter.I think I like this new side of Alex; he was flirtatious and fun—everything the old one wasn’t.“Shall we, my lady?” He held out his arms for me, and I gladly took them.“Of course, my prince.” I took his arms and let him lead me out, but not before turn