Chapter 147: Sweet Care
The black luxury car glided through the quiet streets of Zeden, its headlights cutting through the still night. The clock on the dashboard glowed softly, showing the time—11:26 PM.
Ruby leaned her head against the window, her fingers idly tracing the glass as she watched familiar streets pass by, her heart oddly full and content.
She couldn’t believe she was back. Back in Zeden. Back beside Stefan. And somehow, everything felt... right. Even before they landed, Stefan had called Martin to have him wait to take them home.
Though she’d told him they could’ve just waited in the jet till morning but he’d insisted they returned home that she needed rest, and hell, yeah, she needed it.
Stefan’s hand rested lightly on her knee as Martin drove them, his thumb brushing absent circles over the soft fabric of her pants.
He hadn’t let go of her since they landed, and Ruby found herself secretly loving it. The way he hovered around her, the way his eyes never left her for too long—it was sweet, gentle, and new.
The mansion came into view at last, the sprawling estate bathed in the soft glow of the outdoor lights. It looked exactly the same, and yet somehow different—maybe because her heart wasn’t heavy with confusion or secrets she needed to spill this time.
As the car pulled to a stop, Martin quickly stepped out of the car and went around to open the door for them with a polite bow.
Stefan stepped out first, offering Ruby his hand without hesitation. She took it, smiling softly as she stepped out, the cool night air brushing her skin.
"Home," Stefan murmured, his voice warm. "Welcome home, Ruby."
Her chest fluttered at the words. Home. She wasn’t sure she’d ever thought of this place as "home" before, but now... with him by her side... it felt closer to one than anywhere else.
They walked into the grand foyer, Ruby’s eyes adjusting to the soft golden lights illuminating the space. She hadn’t taken more than three steps before her brows furrowed in confusion.