Chapter 127 Work Notes Part II
Byron’s cold dismissal hung in the air, and Ruby’s desperate attempts to gain his attention were met with nothing but indifference. The reality of the situation crashed down on her in waves, each insult, each word Byron had thrown her way cutting deeper into her pride.
She stood there, trembling with anger and disbelief, as Byron walked away, taking Athena’s notebook with him. Her mind was racing, replaying every moment she had spent trying to get closer to him, only to be rejected so thoroughly. The feelings of betrayal, humiliation, and rage boiled inside her, but nothing could change the fact that she had failed.
“Miss Holland…” Liam’s voice interrupted her spiraling thoughts. He stood in the doorway, an expression of pity barely concealed beneath his professional demeanor.
Ruby turned on him, her face flushed with fury. “What are you looking at?” she snapped, her voice sharp. “You should’ve known better than to trust me, to expect anything more. I’m not just a pretty face like they all think! I’ve worked hard, and yet this—this is how it ends?”
Liam remained calm, though there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. “You should have known when to stop, Ruby. Byron never cared for you the way you thought he did. You’ve been playing a dangerous game, and you lost.”
Ruby’s eyes burned with fury. She was about to retort when Liam continued, his tone more solemn. “And now you’re ruining yourself. You had everything—luxury, money, status… but it wasn’t enough. You had to go further. You didn’t know when to stop. You pushed too hard.”
Her heart twisted with frustration as Liam’s words hit too close to the truth. Her mind flashed to her uncle’s assurances, to the image of herself living a life of comfort and security without Byron’s love, but she had been blinded by her own desires. She had wanted more. More than just the life he could offer her. She wanted him—heart, soul, and everything in between. But now, it seemed like nothing would ever be enough.
Ruby’s fingers curled into fists as she turned toward Liam, her voice laced with venom. “Athena will never keep him. She’s just a placeholder. Once Freya returns, Athena will be thrown aside like all the others. And when that happens… when that happens, I’ll be the one standing next to him. Not her.” She spat the last words with venom, but deep down, doubt gnawed at her. Could she really be the one to replace Athena? Could Byron ever truly look at her the way he looked at Athena?
Liam, unperturbed by her outburst, simply watched her silently. He could see the storm brewing inside her, but there was little sympathy left in him. She had made her own choices, and now, she would have to live with the consequences.
Without another word, Ruby shoved past him, a final flare of frustration spilling over as she pushed him aside. Liam stumbled slightly but regained his balance, his face a mask of disappointment. As Ruby stormed off, he couldn’t help but wonder how long she would continue chasing a fantasy—how long before reality hit her even harder than it already had.
Ruby’s voice echoed in her mind as she made her way to the door, still raging against the truth that she couldn’t accept: Athena would never be rid of Byron. She would never truly lose him.
But Ruby’s mind spun with plans, ideas, and hatred, each one darker than the last. Athena wouldn’t hold onto Byron forever. And when she finally let go, Ruby would be there. She would make it happen, no matter what.
The door slammed behind her, leaving Liam standing in the hallway, the unsettling silence enveloping the space where Ruby had once stood, her fury fading into the echo of her footsteps.