Ruby didn't sleep.
Not even a little.
She tried.
She really did.
But every time she closed her eyes, the same headline flashed behind her eyelids.
RUBRIAN IS BACK
Like the world had decided her life was now public property.
At 3:17 a.m., she finally gave up and sat up in bed.
"Rowan Chase," she muttered into the darkness, "you are officially dead to me."
---
By morning, it was worse.
Her phone was already exploding.
Messages. Calls. Unknown numbers. Industry groups. Fan pages. Even old co-stars she hadn't spoken to in months.
Maya stood in the kitchen, sipping coffee like chaos wasn't unfolding worldwide.
"You're trending again," she said casually.
Ruby didn't even look up from her phone.
"I hate that sentence."
Maya smiled. "It's kind of impressive though."
Ruby finally lifted her head.
"I am one step away from disappearing into another country."
Maya nodded thoughtfully. "Tempting."
---
The TV was worse.
Every channel.
Every headline.
Every thumbnail.
RUBRIAN RETURNS: THE MOST ICONIC ON-SCREEN DUO IS BACK
Ruby grabbed the remote and turned it off.
Then turned it back on just to turn it off again.
"For legal reasons," she said, pointing at the screen, "I did NOT agree to this."
Maya leaned against the counter. "You technically said you'd think about it."
Ruby snapped her head toward her.
"That is NOT consent."
---
Her phone rang again.
Rowan Chase.
Ruby stared at the name for a full five seconds.
Then answered.
"Don't," she said immediately.
Rowan sighed. "Good morning to you too."
"Explain."
"There's nothing to explain."
Ruby stood up.
"You went on television."
"I made an announcement."
"You made a DISASTER."
Rowan chuckled softly. "You're dramatic."
Ruby froze.
"…Excuse me?"
"I said you're—"
"I heard you."
---
There was a pause.
Then Ruby's voice dropped lower.
"I am not doing this movie."
Rowan didn't respond right away.
That silence was worse.
Because Rowan never ran out of words unless he was already planning something worse.
Finally—
"You will."
Ruby laughed once.
Sharp.
Unbelieving.
"No, I won't."
Rowan's voice softened slightly. "Ruby…"
That tone.
She hated that tone.
The one that meant he already decided.
She ended the call.
---
Maya blinked. "You hung up on him?"
Ruby dropped the phone onto the couch.
"He deserved it."
Maya tilted her head. "So what now?"
Ruby stared at the screen again.
At her name.
At his name.
At the world turning them into a headline.
"…Now I survive this mess."
---
But somewhere else in the city—
Adrian Blake was also staring at the same headline.
And for the first time since all of this started…
Ruby wasn't sure which annoyed her more.
The movie.
Or the fact that he hadn't reacted publicly at all.
Like he didn't care.
Like he wasn't even thinking about her.
That should've been a relief.
Instead…
it felt like the beginning of something worse.