Bought By The Ruthless Alpha King (Ruby) novel Chapter 148

Chapter 148: Chasing Her Open Your Heart Part II

Killian’s POV

“Wow… she’s stunning!”

“Whose picture is that, Uncle Killian?”

The twins‘ voices rang out in unison as they pointed at a photograph hanging on the wall. It showed a breathtaking woman with ocean–blue eyes, dressed in a flowing white gown. Her golden hair tumbled down to the middle of her back. Her skin glowed beneath the light, radiant and flawless, framed by a sea of flowers. Her smile was serene, timeless–frozen in a moment of pure happiness.

“That’s my mate.”

The twins gasped, wide–eyed with excitement. They leaned in toward the photo, chattering all over again.

“Uncle Killian’s mate is so beautiful!” Anna exclaimed.

Alice nodded eagerly. “She is! We really want to meet her. Where is she now?”

“Yeah! I want to meet the angel.”

“Angel?” I echoed.

They both nodded enthusiastically, practically bouncing with energy. Then they turned to me, tugging at the hem of my

coat.

“She must be a queen. A beautiful, cool queen, right?”

Anna grinned wide. “Alice, she looks like the queen from our fairytale book! Do you remember?”

“Oh yeah! What was it called again?!”

Alice pressed her thumb against her forehead, clearly struggling to dig up the title. The room, however, had taken on a new tension. On one side stood Leonidas and Sean, both silent and completely still. They stared straight ahead, but their stiff posture revealed more than words ever could. They knew exactly who the woman in the photo was.

My eyes shifted to Rosalyn. She stood frozen, trembling ever so slightly. Shock flooded her face as she stared at the image at a version of herself from long ago, now displayed for all to see. A moment passed, and then her eyes locked with mine. Those hazel eyes gripped me, pulling me in just as the sea–blue ones once did.

There was pain in her gaze. A flicker of regret stirred within me. Rosalyn had finally found peace, and now because of this old wounds were reopening.

“Alright, kids. There’s still a lot left to see on the tour.”

Sean stepped in smoothly, redirecting the twins‘ attention with cheerful chatter about the palace. Leonidas gave me one last look, a silent message in his eyes before joining his mate. He moved to Sean’s side, his hand resting gently, protectively, on the younger man’s back.

And just like that, it was only the two of us. Me and the woman in the photo.

Or rather, the woman she had become. Rosalyn stood motionless. And then she spoke.

“How long?”

I closed my eyes briefly before answering. “Since I realized I was a fool falling for you long before I ever understood it.”

“You called me your mate.”

Her voice trembled. Then she inhaled sharply, trying to steady herself.

“You didn’t even deny it when the twins called Ruby a queen. What was that, Killian?”

“I’m sorry-”

“No. That’s not the point.” Her words cut deadly and cold. “The truth is, I was never your mate. Let alone your queen. So don’t go around claiming things that were never yours, Your Majesty.”

Her sclera flushed with red, and her irises shimmered, threatening to spill over. Both fists clenched tightly at her sides, a physical restraint against her spiraling emotions.

“It’s a long story,” I confessed quietly. “This visit I had hoped it would be my chance to explain what I’ve kept buried all this

time.”

Successfully unlocked!

urned her face away, took a step back; putting

Rosalyn looked ready to retaliate. Her lips parted but space between us, not just in distance, but in trust.

“It would be wise not to overstep, Your Majesty,” she said with steel in her voice. “I won’t ruin the twins‘ day because of you.”

She scooped Elias into her arms and followed Sean, who was already guiding the twins to another part of the palace. I

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Chapter 148: Chasing Her – Open Your Heart Part II

pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose, letting out a quiet sigh. I had braced myself for this moment because I knew. I knew this was inevitable. That’s why I had planned everything, hoping Rosalyn wouldn’t come away from this visit hating

I kept my word. I didn’t let the twins‘ joy be ruined. But they kept circling back with questions–about the angel, the queen, the queen with eyes like ice, like Anna’s favorite storybook heroine. Their insistence only grew. Sean glanced at me with an apologetic look; he couldn’t distract them.