Hearts Call

Chapter2

"She bought it," Pearl said calmly.

Letting out a soft laugh. She thought

“Jason played his part perfectly.” Pearl’s lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile. “He’s out of her life for

good.”

She paused, and then returned to her sofa. She lay there and stared at the ceiling and said calmly to herself.

“He doesn’t suspect anything. None of them ever do.”

Her eyes hardened.

She continued quietly, “Ruby Hale doesn’t get a happy ending.”

Her fingers brushing lightly against a folder on the table.

Inside were photographs.

Medical reports.

Private details no one should have access to.

Ruby’s life, dissected and weaponized.

Pearl exhaled slowly, her gaze distant now.

“If Lila didn't get a happy ending, you shouldn't either,” she whispered.

The name lingered in the silence, heavy with something unresolved… something broken.

The next morning, Ruby walked into Prime Pharmaceuticals with her usual quiet confidence, unaware that the ground beneath her was already shifting.

“Ms. Hale,” her manager called, hurrying toward her. “There you are. We’ve been looking

for you.”

Ruby paused. “Is everything alright?”

His expression was a mix of urgency and excitement. “More than alright. The board just finalized it this morning.”

“Finalized what?”

He broke into a grin.

“Your promotion.”

Ruby blinked. “My… promotion?”

“You’re being moved to the executive level. Effective immediately.” He lowered his voice slightly. “You’ll be working directly under the new CEO.”

Ruby’s heart skipped. “The new CEO? I thought he wasn’t starting until next week.”

“He arrived early,” her manager said. “And he specifically requested to meet you.”

A strange flutter stirred in Ruby’s chest.

“Me?” she repeated.

Her manager nodded. “Jonathan Reid doesn’t make requests lightly.”

Ruby straightened slightly, instinctively composed again. “When does he want to see me?”

“Now.”

Minutes later, Ruby stood outside the CEO’s office, her hand hovering just above the door.

Something about this felt… different.

She couldn’t explain it, but for the first time in a long while, anticipation replaced the familiar weight of disappointment.

She knocked.

“Come in.”

The voice was deep, steady, controlled.

Ruby stepped inside.

And for a moment, the world seemed to be still.

Jonathan Reid stood by the window, tall and composed, his presence commanding without effort. When he turned to face her, his gaze was sharp; observant in a way that made her feel instantly seen.

Not judged.

Seen.

“Ms. Hale,” he said, his tone measured. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

Ruby swallowed slightly, stepping forward. “All good things, I hope.”

A faint hint of a smile touched his lips.

“Only the most impressive.”

Something unfamiliar flickered between them, quiet, electric.

And for the first time, Ruby didn’t feel like she had to prove anything.

After the meeting,

She rushed through the glass doors of Prime Pharmaceuticals, her heels striking the marble floors in quick, uneven rhythm. Her pulse raced; not from anxiety this time, but from something brighter, something dangerously close to hope.

“Pearl!” she called, scanning the open office floor.

Heads turned. A few colleagues smiled knowingly, Ruby running through the office was a rare sight.

She was always composed, always measured. But not today.

Pearl Whitmore looked up from her desk, perfectly poised as always. “Ruby?” she said, her tone laced with surprise. “What on earth?”

“I got it,” Ruby blurted, breathless. “The promotion.”

For a fraction of a second, so brief it could have been imagined, Pearl’s expression froze.

Then it melted into delight.

“Oh my God, Ruby!” Pearl stood immediately, crossing the space between them and pulling her into an embrace. “I knew it. I knew they would finally see your worth.”

Ruby laughed softly, relief spilling out of her. “I still can’t believe it. Executive level, Pearl. I’ll be working directly under the new CEO.”

Pearl pulled back, her hands still resting on Ruby’s arms. “Jonathan Reid,” she said, smiling. “That’s… incredible.”

“It feels like everything is finally falling into place,” Ruby admitted, her voice softer now, more vulnerable. “After everything…”

Pearl’s smile didn’t falter. “ See! I told you not to let that no good ex of yours ruin your day. You deserve this more than anyone.”

And Ruby believed her.

She always did.

That evening, Pearl stood alone in her apartment, the city lights casting long shadows across the walls.

The door slammed shut behind her.

The smile vanished.