When you visit our website, if you give your consent, we will use cookies to allow us to collect data for aggregated statistics to improve our service and remember your choice for future visits. Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
Dear Reader, we use the permissions associated with cookies to keep our website running smoothly and to provide you with personalized content that better meets your needs and ensure the best reading experience. At any time, you can change your permissions for the cookie settings below.
If you would like to learn more about our Cookie, you can click on Privacy Policy.
RUBY JUNE. I paced around the apartment, my mind still drifting back to the magical evening I’d spent with Charles. The candlelit dinner, the soft music, the way his eyes stayed locked on mine—it was all too perfect. A smile tugged at my lips, but before I could let myself get lost in the memory, a sharp knock on the door startled me. Doreen, who had been busy sorting through some papers at the table, got up to answer it. “I will get that,” Doreen said, heading toward the door with her usual bright energy. The second the door opened, my stomach dropped. Standing there, leaning slightly on her walking stick, was my mother. Her face was set in a deep frown, and I immediately knew this was not going to be a pleasant visit. My entire body tensed. “Welcome ma’am. ,” Doreen greeted her poli