The clock ticked past midnight as Julian finally arrived home and fumbled with his keys, exhaustion clinging to him like a second skin. The sudden surge in workload had left him drained, while the revelation of Ruby's deceitful nature had left a bitter taste in his mouth. Guilt and shame clawed at his soul, driving him to contemplate the path to redemption.
Julian thought of talking to Esme and seeking her forgiveness. With a tired sigh, he pushed open the door, stepping from the cool night into the warmth of the house. And there she was, Ruby, bathed in the harsh luminescence of the hallway chandelier.
Julian met with Ruby's fiery gaze, her presence like a storm waiting to unleash its fury. His eyes narrowed as he looked at her disheveled appearance. Her hair hung in disarray around her shoulders, a stark contrast to the perfectly coiffed locks he was accustomed to seeing. Her makeup was smeared, and her eyes were red and puffy.
