Page 46 of Angels Are Falling

The subtle put-down was how some women dealt with their insecurities. So, yes, I had Ruby’s number. Every woman on earth has had a Ruby in her life. The woman who casually insinuated they could have your man if they wanted and made backhanded suggestions that your significant other was flirting with them. These women often called themselves your friend, but really, they were your frenemy. Rubys acted sugary-sweet while dressing in their statement clothes and putting on flashy makeup, hoping your partner would check them out. And if your significant other made the mistake of paying them a compliment or defending them, they flaunted the win in your face forever.

I had never been jealous in my relationship with Stefan, nor did I pay attention to frenemies, because my husband only had eyes for me. Attention-seeking women had sought validation from him, but he always shut it down—until Ruby Sarafina.

“Smooth things over?” I repeated. “My husband was out with his childhood crush all night, and she condescendingly threw the fact in my face.”

He sighed, exasperated. “You misunderstood her intentions. Ruby isn’t that type of person.”

Seriously? I have known girls like Ruby all my life. She was transparent. How could he not see it?

Stefan insisted there would never be a third party in our marriage other than Kai. So, why was he standing up for another woman instead of me? He was already on her side after hanging out with her for a few hours.

“Did you sleep with her?” The words were out of my mouth before I could take them back.

I choked on my emotions. The entire premise of my sexual relationship with Kai was to give my family a better life. Perhaps that meant accepting that it changed the boundaries for Stefan as well. However, he was the one to twist my arm into this situation with promises of his undying loyalty. So, why the hell was Ruby Sarafina here?

Stefan’s jaw dropped. “Of course not. How could you ask me that?”

“How could I not? She has always been your hall pass celebrity.”

“Come on, Amelie. That’s a joke between couples. How could you accuse me of cheating based on that?”

“How could I not after you stayed out with her all night?”

“Jesus, Amelie,” he snapped. “It was just breakfast. Why are you blowing it out of proportion? Everyone’s shocked at how much I panicked to get back to you, but you don’t seem to appreciate me or my efforts.”

It was my turn to be stunned. Appreciate him?

I married someone I disliked for Stefan’s sake. Stefan had pimped me out, and now, he was running around with another woman. Not just any woman, it was someone I could never compete with.

And he didn’t think I appreciated him? My bottom lip quivered. I felt so betrayed.

“I’m sorry.” He shut his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he repeated, opening them. “I know you married Kai because of me. It’s just… I would never betray you. How can you not trust me?”

I shook my head. “Because we’ve already crossed that boundary. Does sleeping with other people even mean anything between us?”

“Don’t say that.”

“I guess it’s only fair that you get to sleep with her after I⁠—”

He took me in for a hug before I could finish the sentence. “Please, Amelie, stop. I don’t want to hear about what’s between you and Kai, nor do I hold it against you. But you’ve got to believe. I would never sleep with anyone else. Celebrity or not, you’re all I want.”

I closed my eyes as he said more reassuring things. The words felt hollow because the woman he idolized was standing before us. They were going to work together, too. How could that not tear me apart?

I pulled away and stared at Stefan with glassy eyes. I didn’t know what in my expression made him step back.

Confused by his whimsical mien, I followed his motions as he reached into thin air with one hand. With a gentle pull, he plucked something intangible from thin air, his fingers delicately curling around the nonexistent item.

I realized it was a flower when he brought the imaginary item to his nose and smelled it with great flair. He did a dramatic bow before handing me what I presumed was a single stem rose.

Laughter bubbled up my throat, and he cracked a smile, too. Despite the stacks of unopened designer boxes on the coffee table, this imaginary rose meant more. It was a nod to simpler times.

Stefan pulled me back into his arms, and I inhaled his deeply familiar smell.

See? We can still share a laugh.

Everything will be okay.

Everything will be okay.