LINES WE CROSSED
805 Words
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CHAPTER SIX – “Lines We Cross”
Royal sat at the head of the long glass conference table, knuckles white against the leather armrests of his chair.
Across from him, Ruby laughed softly at something Leo whispered. Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, but it was effective—taunting. Powerful.
Everyone in the room noticed.
Royal’s board members watched the interaction, some amused, others awkward. Royal’s jaw clenched.
She was doing this on purpose. And it was working.
“…and that wraps up our vision for the Queen Collection,” Ruby said, flipping the final slide of her presentation.
Applause echoed around the room. Everyone looked impressed—except Royal, who was boiling inside.
“Well done,” one of the executives said. “A bold concept. Fresh. Fierce. Just what the brand needs.”
Ruby met Royal’s eyes. “Of course. After all, I was only made creative director by… accident, right?”
A few chuckles followed. Royal stood slowly.
“The presentation is approved,” he said, voice controlled. “You’ll have full funding. Meeting adjourned.”
The room emptied quickly, everyone sensing the storm about to break.
Ruby gathered her things calmly, aware Royal hadn’t moved.
She stood.
“Would you like to say something, Mr. Kingsley?” she asked, mockingly formal.
Royal stepped closer. “We need to talk. Privately.”
Ruby tilted her head. “Why? Worried your ex might come in again?”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
He grabbed her elbow, gently but firmly, and led her into his private lounge adjacent to the boardroom. The door shut behind them with a soft click.
“I see what you’re doing,” he said, voice low.
“Really? Took you long enough.”
“This little game with Leo—”
“Leo has a name. And a job. And yes, nice abs too,” she shot back, folding her arms.
Royal stepped closer. “You want to make me jealous?”
Ruby didn’t flinch. “If I wanted to make you jealous, I’d let him kiss me.”
He glared. “Don’t test me.”
“Oh? Or what?” Her tone was sharp. “You’ll defend Vanessa again? Let her insult me in my own workplace?”
He exhaled, jaw tight. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“But it did.” Her voice cracked, barely. “You stood there and let her belittle me.”
“You were provoking her.”
“No,” Ruby said firmly, stepping closer. “I was existing. And that was enough to make her feel threatened. Don’t put that on me.”
Royal ran a hand through his hair. “This marriage is a business deal—”
“And you’re failing at even pretending to respect your partner.”
The air between them thickened.
Then Royal said, quietly, “You looked beautiful today.”
Ruby blinked. The sudden shift caught her off guard.
“Don’t,” she said, voice softer now.
“I’m not lying,” he replied. “You’re confident. Brilliant. And maddening. But when you walked in this morning…”
She shook her head. “Stop trying to confuse me.”
“I’m not.”
She turned away, grabbing her bag. “I’m going home.”
Royal reached for her hand. “Ruby.”
She paused.
But before anything more could be said, the door burst open.
"Oh!”
Vanessa.
Again.
Her eyes took in their closeness. “Am I… interrupting?”
Royal let go of Ruby’s hand instantly.
Ruby smiled coldly. “You have the worst timing, Vanessa.”
Vanessa crossed her arms. “I need to speak to Royal. Alone.”
Ruby didn’t flinch. “Then knock next time.”
She brushed past Vanessa, heels clicking like thunder across marble.
Royal watched her go, guilt tugging at his chest. But he didn’t stop her.
Vanessa walked in smugly. “She’s trying too hard.”
Royal wasn’t listening anymore.
His eyes were still on the door Ruby had just slammed behind her.
***
*Later That Night*
Ruby stepped into the Kingsley mansion, dropping her purse on the side table with a thud. Her body was tired, but her mind raced.
She headed straight to the kitchen, poured herself a glass of wine, and leaned against the counter.
It wasn’t supposed to be this complicated.
He was supposed to be cold. Controlled. Untouchable.
But today… something cracked.
That comment about her being beautiful?
It shouldn’t matter. But it did.
She was about to take a sip when a voice behind her said, “Can I have a glass too?”
She turned.
"Ivy".
Her stepsister, dressed in one of Ruby’s custom silk robes.
Ruby raised a brow. “Didn’t know I opened a boutique.”
Ivy shrugged.
- Writer
