His Ashes, Her Crown

Chapter 3

I scrambled to my feet, still clutching my parents' broken photograph.

Sofia appeared in the bedroom doorway, looking perfectly composed. Her makeup was flawless. Her hair styled. She didn't look like someone who'd just had a breakdown.

She looked victorious.

"What are you doing here?" I managed to say. "Dale texted that he was taking you shopping."

"Oh, that." Sofia waved her hand dismissively. "I told him I needed to pick up something from my car. He's waiting for me downstairs." Her eyes swept over me, the damaged photograph in my hands, the blood on my clothes, the tears on my face. "You look terrible."

"Get out."

"This is Dale's apartment too. I have every right to be here." She stepped closer. "Besides, we really do need to talk. Woman to woman."

"We have nothing to talk about."

"Don't we?" Sofia sat down on the edge of my bed, making herself comfortable. "You need to understand something, Ruby. Dale doesn't love you anymore. He hasn't for a long time."

"He and I have been together for months," Sofia continued.

"The thing is," Sofia said, standing up, "Dale feels guilty about you. Your parents died, you were all alone, and he felt sorry for you. But pity isn't love, Ruby. It never was."

"Stop."

"He's too kind to tell you himself, so I'm doing it for him. It's time for you to leave. Move on. Find someone who actually wants you instead of clinging to someone who's just too polite to break your heart."

"Dale has a surprise planned for you tonight. "You'll see." Her smile widened.

She left, her footsteps light and confident down the hallway.

I got another text from Dale: "We need to talk. Be ready in 20 minutes. We're going out."

Then another message: "Wear something nice. The blue dress would be perfect."

I stood in front of the mirror, wearing the blue dress Dale had requested. My injuries were hidden under makeup. My hair was done and I looked almost normal.

Almost.

Dale appeared behind me, freshly showered and wearing cologne. "You look beautiful," he said, kissing my cheek. "Ready?"

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise." That smile again. The one that used to make me feel safe. "Trust me. You're going to love it."

The drive to The Azure was silent. Dale kept checking his phone, smiling at messages I couldn't see.

When we arrived at the elegant restaurant, a hostess led us through the main dining room. But we didn't stop at any tables.

She took us to a private room in the back.

"Dale, what is this?"

"You'll see." He squeezed my hand. "Just trust me."

The hostess opened the door and my world shattered.

At least thirty people filled the room. Balloons with decorations and a banner that read "Happy Birthday Sofia" in gold letters.

And there, in the center of it all, stood Sofia. She was wearing the exact same blue dress as me.

Except hers was designer. Perfect and beautiful and mine was the cheap knockoff.

Sofia's eyes found mine, and that smile, that cruel, satisfied smile, spread across her face.

"Ruby!" she exclaimed, rushing over. "You came! Oh my God, we're wearing the same dress!"

Everyone turned to look and I understood.

This wasn't a surprise for me.

This was my public execution.