CHAPTER 22: FUCK YOU

Downstairs, Elizabeth and Regina were waiting near the grand doors, coats in hand and shoes clicking lightly against the marble floor.

Regina looked up as Ruby approached. "That was brilliant," she whispered with a proud smile. "Absolutely brilliant."

Elizabeth gave a rare nod of approval. "He’s beginning to believe. But don’t let your guard down. He’s smart. If anything feels off, he’ll notice."

Ruby exhaled, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress. "It’s not easy... being someone I’m not."

"It was never going to be," Elizabeth said coolly. "But you’ve managed better than we could have hoped. Just treat him better, the way you would a lover. Only difference is, you’d have to break up in a year so put that at the back of your mind."

Regina stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Ruby’s arm. "Yes, I agree with Elizabeth. Now that he’s starting to trust you, this is the time to show him love. Real affection. Even if it’s uncomfortable. You need to erase the remaining doubt, not by words but by your affection and actions."

Ruby looked between them, her heart heavy. "And what if I slip? What if he sees something I miss or what if I show him too much love than Ivy did?"

"Then you cover it up with care," Elizabeth said. "You distract him with tenderness. That’s how people fall in love... even with strangers. Besides, he’d only be happy if you show him more love, not suspect you."

Ruby swallowed hard. This wasn’t just a performance anymore—it was becoming real. Stefan was beginning to trust her. And that trust... terrified her.

"I’ll try," she whispered.

"You’re doing more than trying," Regina said gently. "You’re surviving. And one day, this will all be behind us."

Ruby nodded, her voice caught in her throat. As the door opened and the night breeze whispered in, she watched the two women disappear into the dark, leaving her alone in the vast, silent foyer.

But upstairs, in the room where Stefan waited, the real challenge was just beginning.

Though she had told herself she would be genuine with her feelings for him since he deserved a genuine heart, how was she going to go about it?

Doing all of that was at her own risk and what would happen if her sister ever returned? Would she be willing to leave Stefan vulnerable and aline with her knowing she could leave him at will?

The house had grown quiet. Dinner had ended, the guests had left, and Stefan was resting peacefully in his room—trusting her, believing in her. Ruby had dimmed the lights in the hallway, her steps soft as she carried a covered tray down the back corridor toward her quarters where Rayna was staying hidden.

She gave a light knock, then opened the door.

Rayna sat cross-legged on the bed, flipping through her notebook. Her eyes brightened at the sight of Ruby.

"Took you long enough," she teased, setting the notebook aside.

Ruby rolled her eyes and stepped in, setting the tray on the nightstand. "You’re lucky I even snuck you food. One of the maids almost saw me."

Rayna chuckled as she lifted the lid, revealing roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. "I knew being best friends with you had perks."

Ruby plopped into the chair near the window, resting her head against the frame. "You have no idea how much acting I had to do tonight."

Rayna arched a brow, fork already halfway to her mouth. "That good, huh?"

Ruby sighed. "Elizabeth praised me in front of Stefan. Talked about how I stood up for him at the company and I said I couldn’t just sit there while people questioned his ability because of his blindness. He actually believed me."

Rayna blinked. "You said all that? Where’s your phone? Did you record? I need to hear everything," Rayna said and Ruby giggled before giving Rayna her phone to listen to the record.

"You said all that in front of him? Aren’t you scared he might fall for this you or that you might fall for him?" she asked and Ruby shook her head.

"I don’t know. I just know that I meant it," Ruby whispered, almost to herself. "It wasn’t just acting."

Rayna gave her a look, but didn’t press. "So he’s buying the whole ’Ivy’ thing?"

"He’s beginning to trust me," Ruby said, her fingers tightening around the edge of the windowsill. "And that scares me."

Rayna studied her for a beat. Then, with a mischievous grin, she said, "Okay but... what if he’s just pretending to believe you? What if Stefan suspects you’re not Ivy and he’s testing you?"

Ruby’s eyes snapped to her, alarm flashing across her face. "Don’t say that."

Rayna shrugged playfully. "I mean, think about it. You show up all weird, flustered, acting different, and I bet you’ve not had sex with him. Ivy would have happily done that by now. He’s blind, not stupid, Rub. What if this is all a setup? What if he’s waiting for you to slip?"

Ruby opened her mouth to respond, ready to laugh it off, but then paused. The idea twisted uncomfortably in her gut.

"No way," Ruby muttered. "He wouldn’t. He’s been—" She stopped herself.

Could Stefan be pretending too? He was the only one that knew about this new her. He’s been the one most suspicious. Could he have hired someone to test her just to be sure she’s his Ivy?

If it was him, why would he go to that extent? Was it because he was scared of what might have happened to his real Ivy or because he was scared of what this substitute wife might want from him?

He couldn’t be doing that. If it were him, then why was he acting as though he believed her now? Was it what she said to him at the wine cellar or because his mother’s presence convinced him?

Rayna leaned back, still chewing and then looked at Ruby and shrugged. "You said it yourself. He’s observant. And he’s not someone who likes being lied to. Maybe he’s giving you enough rope to hang yourself."

Ruby’s stomach churned. "You’re evil."

"I’m realistic."

The room went quiet for a moment, the tension between them now thicker than the air.

Rayna set her fork down and sat forward, suddenly serious. "Have you heard anything else from the blackmailer?"

Ruby shook her head slowly. "Nothing since the last message. Just that threat."

Rayna’s expression turned sharp. "Text him back now."

"What?" Ruby asked in alarm and Rayna nodded.

"Tell him to get the hell out of your life. Tell him you’re done playing games and if he texts you again, you’ll involve your husband and make sure he’s caught. You can tell him you have nothing to hide so you have nothing to fear and he could go to your husband for all you care. In plain terms, tell him to go fuck himself."

Ruby blinked. "That’s... that’s crazy. What if he really does retaliates?"

"Or what if he’s bluffing?" Rayna leaned forward. "He hasn’t sent anything since. Maybe he’s just trying to scare you. Show some backbone, Ruby. Push back. What’s the worst that can happen? He already thinks he has control over you. Flip the script. I bet if it’s really Stefan, he’d stop when you show you don’t care what your blackmailer thinks and that if truly you weren’t his wife, you’d asked what the person wanted."

Ruby hesitated. Her heart pounded. "What if it’s not Stefan? What if this person really speaks up?"

"You have your mother in-law to back up your claims. Besides, the person doesn’t have evidence and there’s no way Stefan would ask to see ’your twin’ just to prove a point."

"This feels reckless."

"It feels necessary," Rayna countered.

With trembling fingers, Ruby took her phone from Rayna. She opened the anonymous chat thread, stared at it for a long moment, then began to type:

"Stay the hell out of my life. You know nothing. If you ever text me again, I’ll get my husband involved and make sure you’re caught. This is your final warning. And you should know I have nothing to worry about so you can spill whatever trash you have in your mouth, fool."

She stared at the message, hesitating for just one second more before hitting send.

The message was delivered. The typing indicator blinked for a few seconds.

Then a single response came through:

"Fuck you."

Nothing else. No threats. No taunts. Just two words, sharp and vicious.

Ruby stared at the screen, breath caught in her throat.

Rayna leaned over and read it. "Well. That’s not creepy at all."

"He didn’t deny it," Ruby whispered.

"Yeah," Rayna said slowly. "But he also didn’t say anything else. That might mean he’s rattled. You just showed him you’re not the scared little puppet he thought you were."

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Ruby leaned back in the chair, feeling a cold chill run down her spine. "Or I just pissed him off."

Rayna gave a half-smile. "Same difference."

They sat in silence for a while, the tray now mostly empty between them.

"I’m scared, Rayna," Ruby admitted softly.

"I know," Rayna said. "But you’re doing good. And I’m not going anywhere."

Ruby nodded, her eyes falling once more to the phone.

She didn’t know who the blackmailer was. Or if Stefan truly trusted her or was the one behind the stunt. But one thing was clear:

The game was far from over because now, she’d do all she can to get the answer from Stefan.