Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 365

"Mr. Martinez, Mrs. Martinez, Ms. Scott is here."

Jay suddenly came in from outside, informing the couple that Ruby had arrived.

Ruby had just parked her car.

Seeing Owen and his bodyguards at the Serendipity Cafe was no longer a surprise to Ruby. But, her heart still ached, filled with regret.

She wasn't there to see Cecilia or Lucinda, but Owen.

Ever since Owen gave up on her, it had become increasingly difficult for her to see him in private.

Visiting the Martinez family was out of the question. Olina didn't want to see her, and Mr. Martinez, who never liked her, was even less likely to welcome her.

Thus, she couldn't even cross the threshold of the Martinez family's residence.

If she went to the Ikella Group, in the past, she was treated like a queen with everyone bowing and scraping, fearing to offend her and lose their jobs.

But now, she had to register at the security office, and then be stopped by the receptionist, who would say that she needed to make an appointment to see Owen. The waiting list to see Owen was so long that she'd have to wait until the next year.

So, the Serendipity Cafe was her only option.

As long as Cecilia was there, Owen would definitely come.

Ruby had initially planned to wait there all day, but as soon as she arrived, she saw Owen's bodyguards and cars were already there.

And a brand-new luxury car.

Did Owen give it to Cecilia?

Right, whenever Owen liked someone, he loved to shower them with gifts.

A woman like Cecilia would probably be easily smitten by his generosity.

Ruby despised Cecilia in her heart, but she also knew that she couldn't easily make a move against Cecilia and Lucinda now.

"What is she doing here? Didn't she say she was going to turn herself in after apologizing to Lucinda?"

Owen, who had just been all smiles, had his smile fade away when he heard Ruby was here. But he was watching Cecilia's reaction closely.

"Should we stop her, Mr. Martinez?"

"There's no need."

The one who answered was Cecilia.

"Cecilia."

Owen called her name seriously.

"You don't have to act cold in front of me. Just be yourself, that's the real you."

Cecilia didn't believe that Owen could let go of Ruby so easily.

Even if he said that he could easily cut his ties when he decided to, he had loved Ruby for more than a decade. How could he let go so quickly?

"I won't be jealous."

Cecilia added.

Owen silently watched her. He wished she would be jealous.

She knew him really well.

With that thought, Owen felt a little better.

Seeing Mr. Martinez's expression, Jay knew that Mrs. Martinez's word was the final say and quietly withdrew.

Like Cecilia, she didn't believe that Owen could let go of his past so quickly.

"Owen, are you really that heartless towards me? We grew up together, our relationship was deep."

"Ruby, I was blind and naive in the past. I gave you everything, and what did I get in return? I knew you never loved me, you were merely using me. I was delusional, thinking that if I treated you well enough, you'd give up Stefan and choose me."

Owen laughed self-deprecatingly, "The truth is, I was delusional. Love can't be forced. You don't love me, and even if I gave you my life, you wouldn't care. I've given up on you, and I've let go. Please don't disturb me anymore. I want a new life, and that life doesn't include you."

Owen's eyes grew somber, staring straight at Ruby. He asked from the bottom of his heart, "Ruby, look into your heart and ask yourself, do you love me? Did you love me in the past, and do you now?"

Ruby didn't answer.

"In fact, up until now, you have never loved me. You just can't accept that you've ended up with nothing. Ruby, they say the heart is made of flesh, and with time and warmth, it can be warmed. But your heart is cold and cannot be warmed. I wasted more than a decade trying to warm a stone, but not only did it warm up, it even got hot."

Suddenly, Ruby pointed at Cecilia and yelled, "Do you think you can warm her heart? She knows about our past. I don't believe she won't mind."

Cecilia rose to her feet, hand outstretched, and with a swift motion, slapped down the hand Ruby had pointed at her.

"Miss Scott," she said calmly. "I don't appreciate being pointed at."

As if she had all the time in the world, Cecilia continued. "Whatever happens between Owen and me in the future, you're welcome to witness it once you're out."

She wasn't rejecting Owen's pursuit. She was just giving him some time - time to truly let go of Ruby.

The day he could face Ruby with still waters in his heart, free of inner torment, would be the day she'd accept him.

"Cecilia," Ruby sneered. "Owen loves me. He's loved me for over a decade. Do you really think he can just forget about me in the blink of an eye? Stop dreaming. Don't think you're special to him. Apart from me, there's no room for another woman in his heart."

"If you end up with Owen, you'll regret it. You two will never find happiness together."

Overcome with emotion, Ruby yelled, "Don't think that just because I'm going away, you can take my place, Cecilia. I'm telling you, you can't replace me. I'm irreplaceable in Owen's heart!"