Faux Vows, True Desires
Chapter 190

But when Ruby found out that he was already married, she blew a gasket, which showed that she still cared for him. While Owen was bummed, he couldn't help but feel a little smug.

He went up to Ruby's room, knocked gently on the door and called out, "Ruby, it's me. Open up, I need to explain."

Ruby threw a fit, chucking everything around her room.

She was mad and green with envy.

Deep down, she knew that Stefan would end up with someone else, she knew that Stefan didn't love her.

Even though they had known each other since they were kids and grew up together, Stefan had started to distance himself from her since they were twelve, and the gap only widened over the years.

Now, he claimed to have forgotten her number even though he knew it by heart.

She texted him but he never replied.

Ten years ago, she swallowed her pride and offered herself as his birthday gift, but he didn't accept.

Back then, she was 18, in the prime of her youth. She gave him her all, but he didn't bat an eye. Now, she was 28. No matter how well she took care of herself, she knew she couldn't compete with her 18-year- old self.

Stefan was never going to fall for her.

She just couldn't accept it. She just wanted to be Stefan's wife.

But when Owen married someone else, Ruby just couldn't handle it.

Owen had always been good to her, always put her first.

Whenever she was down, he would cheer her up. Whenever she had a problem, he would help her solve it. He was always the first to wish her happy birthday and give her a carefully chosen gift.

She didn't think she was in love with Owen, but she also couldn't stand the thought of him marrying someone else. She liked and was used to him revolving around her.

What drove Ruby up the wall was the fact that Owen had married Cecilia, Lucinda's best friend!

She felt like these two women were out to get her!

One stole Stefan, the other stole Owen.

This pissed her off to no end!

"Ruby, open up." Owen was still knocking on the door.

Ruby wiped her tears, walking barefoot to open the door. She deliberately stepped on shards of glass, which easily cut the soles of her feet.

Biting back the pain, she opened the door.

As soon as she opened the door, she turned around and walked back, leaving bloody footprints behind.

She hadn't walked far when Owen scooped her up, just as she hoped he would.

He sounded distressed when he said, "Why did you hurt yourself?"

He carried her to the couch, then went to replace the first aid kit.

They usually had the necessary household medicines at home. Owen had been to her house and her room many times, he knew where the first aid kit was.

In no time, he came back with the kit. He took out antiseptic, hemostatic, gauze and other stuff, then squatted down in front of her to clean her wounds. Seeing his pained expression, Ruby began to calm down.

He still cared about her.

Owen was forced to marry Cecilia because of her schemes. She won over Owen's grandfather, which forced Owen to marry Cecilia.

With this in mind, Ruby felt a lot better.

As long as Owen still cared for her as much as he used to, loved her as deeply as he used to, she had nothing to worry about.

Cecilia was no match for her!

"It hurts!" Ruby whimpered.

After Owen treated her wound, he sat down next to her, pulled her into his arms and said, "You knew it would hurt, why did you do it?" "It's your fault."

"Alright, alright, it's my fault. I shouldn't have married Cecilia just to keep my status. Ruby, if I had known you would react this way, I would rather give up my status, be penniless, as long as you're by my side, I would be content."

Ruby looked up at him, her voice hoarse, "Don't be silly. If you give up your status and leave the Martinez family, who would be the happiest? Harry Martinez! Your status is tied to the future of your family, you can't be so foolish."

If Owen had nothing, how could he be her rock? How could he help her solve problems?

What she cared about were Owen's status, position and power.

In Pinehurst, the only person who dared to openly oppose Stefan was Owen.

"Owen, I was just mad..."

Ruby wanted to say that she was mad and smashed things because of Lucinda.

But she chose not to say it.

Her mother's words echoed in her ears.

Her mom once said, "When a woman marries, it's best if they love each other. If not, then choose a man who loves you but you don't love, rather than a man who you love but doesn't love you. If he loves you, he'll be good to you, he'll tolerate everything about you, he'll make you happy. If you love a man who doesn't love you, you'll be the one making sacrifices, making him happy, tolerating everything about him, and you might not even get anything in return.

Everyone knows how Owen feels about you. Even though he was forced to marry Cecilia, he doesn't love her. Once Trenton passes away, or once Owen becomes more powerful, he'll kick Cecilia out and let you in. Then, you'll be Owen's wife, your status in Pinehurst won't be any lower than Lucinda's.

You know how he feels about you. Ruby, Stefan doesn't love you, no matter what you do, he won't fall for you. Why would you break Owen's heart for him? If even Owen leaves you, what's left for you? Losing Stefan might make you mad, but you never really had Stefan, you'll get over it. But if you lose Owen, you'll regret it, you'll be tormented by endless pain. He's been in your life for so long, you have so many beautiful memories together.

Listen to me, quit messing with Owen, try to let go of your stubbornness, accept Owen, only then can you be happy for the rest of your life."

Only after listening to her mom's advice did Ruby replace out that Owen was already married.

She was already pissed off because of Lucinda, and when she found out that Owen and Cecilia were married, she totally lost it.

She had a major meltdown in her room, leaving the place a complete mess.

"Owen, I know this is tough for you, I really screwed things up for you."

After crying, throwing a fit, and venting all her jealousy and hatred, Ruby calmed down.

She patted Owen's shoulder like comforting a friend, "I'm really sorry, I put you in a tough spot. Your grandpa, he's just... no, it's not your grandpa's fault, it's Cecilia being too sly. She was able to convince your grandpa to force you to marry her."

An image of Cecilia's cute face flashed through Owen's mind, Cecilia wasn't sly! He knew this for sure.

"This has nothing to do with Cecilia." Owen instinctively defended Cecilia.

Ruby suddenly looked up at him.