Chapter 21 Fireworks
CHAPTER 21
Fireworks
But the night was peaceful, Ruby was warm against his shoulder, and for the first time in years… the weight on his chest felt lighter than usual.
And before he knew it, Leo Carter—cold, distant, controlled Leo—closed his eyes beside the girl who had somehow softened his entire world without even trying.
They fell asleep together under the stars, surrounded by silence.
Ruby woke up first. Not fully… just enough for her lashes to flutter. She didn’t open her eyes yet—she simply felt warmth. A firm shoulder supporting her. A slow, steady heartbeat beneath her ear. A faint scent of cologne that was familiar and calming.
Her mind drifted between sleep and waking until a soft breeze brushed her cheek.
Only then did she open her eyes.
She blinked, once, and twice.
And froze completely.
She was lying comfortably, peacefully against Leo’s shoulder. His head rested lightly against hers, their fingers almost touching on the stone bench.
Her face heated instantly, her breath catching in her throat.
Oh no.
She tried to sit up slowly, but Leo’s arm draped around her unconsciously tightened just slightly, as though instinctively protecting her.
Ruby’s heart hammered.
He looked… peaceful. More peaceful than she had ever seen him. No tension, no guarded coldness. Just quiet breathing and a softness she didn’t know he possessed.
She hesitated, afraid of waking him.
But Leo stirred anyway.
She watched as his brows twitched, then relaxed, then slowly—
His eyes opened. Dark, focused. Landing directly on her.
Ruby felt her soul leave her body. For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Leo’s voice—deep and rough from sleep—broke the silence.
“Ruby?”
Ruby swallowed thickly. “Good morning.”
Leo blinked, looked at their position, then back at her. A slow realization washed over his features.
“We fell asleep,” he said quietly.
“I—I didn’t mean to,” Ruby blurted. “I must have dozed off, I didn’t realize—”
“It’s fine,” Leo interrupted gently.
She looked away, embarrassed.
“I shouldn’t have leaned on you. I’m sorry.”
“Ruby.”
He said her name calmly, firmly, making her look at him again.
“You don’t need to apologize for falling asleep. You were tired.”
She hesitated. “But you—”
“I slept too,” he admitted, surprising her.
“You didn’t force anything.”
Her cheeks warmed again.
Leo slowly straightened, brushing a bit of dust from his shirt. His hair was slightly messed from sleep, and Ruby tried not to stare at how unexpectedly hot he looked like this.
“We should get inside,” he said quietly. “It’s getting cold.”
Ruby nodded and stood too. When she swayed a little from the sudden movement, Leo reached out and steadied her with a hand on her arm.
“You’re still dizzy,” he murmured.
“A little.”
“It’ll pass.”
They walked back toward the mansion. Ruby noticed something—Leo walked slower than usual, matching her pace perfectly.
Inside the corridor, Nora appeared suddenly.
“There you are!” she gasped. “I was looking all over the house! I thought—”
She paused, noticing their sleepy faces… and their clothes slightly dusted from sitting outside.
Leo cleared his throat calmly.
“We fell asleep in the garden.”
Nora blinked. “In the garden…? Together?”
Ruby turned crimson.
Leo raised a brow. “Do you have a problem with that?”
Nora instantly shook her head. “No, sir! Not at all! I just—”
She looked at Ruby with a soft smile.
“I’m glad you’re okay, dear.”
Ruby nodded shyly.
Leo looked at Nora again. “Prepare breakfast in twenty minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
He turned to Ruby.
“You’ll eat first. Then I’ll tell you what you need to know about tonight.”
Ruby’s eyes widened. “Tonight? The party?”
“Yes.”
Her stomach tightened.
“I don’t know how to act at parties…”
“You don’t need to know,” Leo said simply.
“I’ll be there. Just stay beside me.”
Ruby inhaled slowly.
“Okay.”
\`\`\`\`\`\`~~~~\`\`\`\`\`\`\`
After a warm bath and fresh clothes Nora laid out for her, Ruby came downstairs. The dining table was set, and Leo was already seated, a tablet beside him but untouched.
He looked up as soon as she entered.
“You should eat more today,” he instructed. “It’ll be a long evening.”
Ruby gave a small smile.
“I’ll try.”
She ate quietly while Leo watched her in his usual unreadable way—except now, something was different. Softer. More attentive.
When she finished, he placed the tablet down.
“Tonight is my stepmother’s birthday celebration,” he began.
“She likes grand things. There will be many eyes, many cameras, and many people who will want to know who you are.”
Ruby tensed.
“Camera…?”
“Yes,” Leo said. “My family isn’t shy about attention.”
He paused.
“Are you scared?”
Ruby nodded honestly.
“A little.”
Leo leaned forward slightly.
“You’ll be fine.”
She met his eyes. “I don’t want to embarrass you.”
“You won’t,” he replied immediately.
His confidence startled her.
“You’re not there to perform,” he continued.
“You’re there because I want you there. Because I need them to see you clearly.”
Ruby breathed slowly.
“What if your stepmom doesn’t like me?”
Leo’s jaw hardened slightly.
“She doesn’t like anyone. Not even me.”
Ruby blinked at him.
“Oh.”
He continued, “My father will be there too. He’s the one I want you to meet.”
Ruby swallowed nervously.
“What… is he like?”
“Strong,” Leo said. “Demanding, but fair.”
Ruby nodded.
“You don’t have to talk much,” Leo added. “I’ll handle everything.”
Her heart eased a little.
“And your brother… Trent?” she asked quietly.
Leo’s face shifted—shadowed.
“He won’t be attending.”
“Oh.”
“That’s a good thing,” Leo said coldly.
“I don’t want him near you.”
Ruby blinked.
“Why?”
“Because he takes advantage of anything vulnerable.”
His eyes locked onto hers, intense.
“And I won’t let him touch what’s mine.”
Ruby’s heart leaped into her throat.
What’s mine?
Did he even realize he said that?
She looked down shyly.
“I’ll stay close to you… I promise.”
Leo exhaled softly.
“Good.”
\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`~~~\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`
Nora took Ruby upstairs afterward, guiding her into a dressing room filled with gowns Leo had arranged earlier.
Ruby gasped.
“Leo bought all these?”
“Yes,” Nora smiled. “He ordered them last night before you slept.”
Ruby’s heart fluttered uncontrollably.
They tried different dresses—blush pink, icy blue, emerald green—but the one that made Ruby freeze was a soft champagne gold gown that shimmered like starlight.
When she stepped out, Nora clasped her hands together.
“Oh, Ruby…”
Ruby turned to the mirror.
She barely recognized herself.
The dress hugged her gently, elegant but not loud. Soft, flowing, beautiful.
She felt… worthy.
“Will Leo like it?” she whispered.
Nora smiled knowingly.
“He won’t be able to look away.”
Ruby blushed hard.
“Come,” Nora said, “let’s show him.”