Chapter 11 Trent
CHAPTER 11
Trent
Ruby sat at the edge of the hospital bed, her palms resting on the crisp white sheet as she watched Blake scribble down the last notes on her discharge papers. He was calm, steady, and warm-everything the hospital's cold atmosphere wasn't.
"You need to rest more," Blake said gently, tapping the paper before looking up at her. "You were severely dehydrated, your blood pressure dropped, and your body temperature was dangerously low. If Leo hadn't brought you when he did..."
He didn't finish the sentence.
Ruby lowered her eyes. Her voice was barely a whisper. "Thank you... for treating me."
Blake's expression softened. "You don't have to thank me. Leo asked me to take good care of you. And I would've anyway."
Something in his tone felt reassuring-like someone who cared, even though they barely knew her.
The door swung open with a hard shove.
Leo walked in.
He didn't look at Ruby first. He didn't check if she was okay or ask how she felt.
His eyes were locked on Blake.
Cold. Focused. Stressed.
"Is she cleared?" Leo asked.
Blake sighed and closed the folder. "Yes. But she needs rest. No stress, long walks or cold exposure. And for heaven's sake, Leo, she needs proper meals, warmth, and peace-"
"I heard you," Leo cut in, his tone sharp like steel.
Ruby flinched.
Blake frowned. "Leo-"
"Let's go, Ruby," Leo said, ignoring his friend completely. "The car is waiting."Understood.
___
They came out of the hospital as Leo greeted Blake, and promised to visit later. Leo lifted her into the back seat of his car. But she didn't dare speak. She simply let herself be guided, her limbs too weak, her mind too foggy, her heart beating too fast.
Leo shut the door, walked around to the other side, and slipped into the seat beside her. He didn't look at her or if she was okay. His jaw was hard, forward, his silence heavy.
The engine hummed, and the car pulled away.
Ruby folded her hands tightly on her lap, dropping her gaze to the floor. She felt like a child trying not to make noise. She didn't know why he helped her. Why did he stop? Why he carried her in the rain with strong, firm arms that didn't shake, why he treated, now she will be living in the same house with this Billionaire.
She knew only one thing-
He hadn't spoken a single soft word since.
The road blurred past the tinted windows. The night swallowed everything. Ruby's breathing grew shallower; her clothes were cold and sticky against her skin. She shivered, trying not to let her teeth chatter.
Leo had noticed.
Slowly, he reached forward and adjusted the heater.
The warmth spread through the car, seeping into her skin. Ruby blinked twice. She didn't thank me because she was scared her voice would break.
Leo glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Her fingers were white from how tightly she clasped them. Her shoulders hunched. Her hair dripped like melting ice.
He exhaled sharply and looked away again.
"Don't fall asleep," he said coolly. "We're almost there."
Ruby nodded quietly.
Almost... where?
The question stayed locked behind her lips.
Minutes later, the car slowed. Ruby lifted her eyes-and froze.
The gates standing before them were massive iron structures curling into elegant patterns, guarded by stone lions. Lights traced the driveway beyond, reflecting off a water fountain shaped like a winged horse.
The Carter Mansion.
She had seen pictures online-everyone had. But no picture prepared her for this.
Her breath stilled.
As the gates opened, the beauty hit her like a wave-Perfect lawns-Tall hedges-White marble tiles-Glowing lanterns shaped like crystal orbs.
A house so massive it looked like a palace stolen from a fantasy book.
Ruby's lips parted slightly, but she quickly shut them again, afraid of looking foolish.
The car glided forward until it stopped beneath the towering front steps.
Leo stepped out first.
The driver opened her door, and she slowly followed, her legs trembling from both exhaustion and shock.
She lifted her head.
The mansion windows glowed warm gold. The pillars were tall and engraved with swirling designs. The entire structure radiated power, wealth, authority-everything she had never been near in her life.
Her heart thumped painfully fast.
Leo walked ahead, long strides, confident, cold. Ruby tried to copy his pace but stumbled slightly.
He simply pushed the giant doors open and stepped inside.
Ruby followed... and gasped.
The foyer was breathtaking.
A chandelier hung above, so massive it looked like a star made of thousands of crystals. Light danced across polished marble floors like tiny diamonds. The staircase curved gracefully upward, covered with velvet carpet. Paintings lined the walls-portraits of ancestors, landscapes, gold-framed masterpieces.
Ruby's eyes widened with every step.
It was the most beautiful place she had ever seen.
Yes she felt so small.
So out of place.
Leo's voice snapped through the silence.
"Mrs. Gale."
A woman appeared almost instantly.
Tall, composed, silver-streaked hair pulled into a perfect bun. Sharp eyes that took in everything at once. She bowed lightly.
"Yes, sir."
"This is Ruby," Leo said looking at her. "She'll be staying here temporarily."
The words hit Ruby like thunder.
Staying?
Here?
But she stayed silent, her pulse quickening.
Mrs. Gale turned to her, expression unreadable. "Welcome, dear."
Ruby bowed her head slightly, unsure whether she was allowed to speak. She didn't trust her voice anyway.
Two maids appeared behind Mrs. Gale-one with dark curls and tight lips, the other younger with narrowed eyes. They stared openly at Ruby.
Looking her up and down.
Judging every inch of her clothes, her messy hair, her trembling fingers.
Ruby shifted uncomfortably.
Mrs. Gale continued, "I'll prepare a room for her immediately."
Leo nodded once.
Then-without warning-his phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen.
Instant tension pulled at his shoulders. His expression hardened.
Trent.