Chapter 91: Chapter 91

TOBY.

As I watch Ruby walk down the stage to collect her certificates I can't help but replay our earlier conversations.

"We don't have to be friends to co-parent," she had said.

Ruby had dodged all my mother's attempts at roping her into throwing a big party for her birthday/graduation but she couldn't wiggle out of family dinner at my parent's mansion. Surprisingly my mother kept the guest list for dinner very small. No extended family members or business partners, just Ruby's parents and Sapphire.

"So, what's next Ruby?" My father asked.

"I want to put a hold on finding a Job until Jeremy is older," she said.

"Why? You have enough maids and nannies at your disposal," my father said. Not surprisingly he was unable to grasp why someone would choose their child over their career.

"That's what I want," Ruby said.

"From the reports I received, you did well on your internship so there's a spot waiting for you in any arm of the Daniels conglomerate you would like to work in but I don't know how long the offer would be waiting," he said. Creepy much, so he was admitting to keeping tabs on her. It was expected though even though I was higher up, he still kept tabs on me.

"I'll keep that in mind," she said, sweetly.

"We would be lucky to have her when she's ready," I added.

"I'm so proud of you even though you didn't follow in my footsteps in the pharmaceutical line, the company would still be happy to have you running the administrative or marketing side of things," her father said. She could hardly hide her sneer at his comment.

"Thank you, dad, and thank you, Mr Daniel," she said with a sweet smile.

"The night can't end here," Sapphire said as walked to our cars in the cool night air.

"Well, it has," Ruby answered.

"Toby, tell her, this is not how you end a celebration closing the curtains on five years of educational struggle," Sapphire said, dragging me into their conversation. I just shrugged not wanting to be entangled in their argument.

"Educational struggle," Ruby repeated then burst into laughter that had her best over and clutching her chest. The sound of her laughter was contagious and in no time we were all laughing. We must have looked crazy bent over and laughing at almost nothing under the moonlight with our cars beside us.

"Come on guys, when was the last time you hit the clubs?"

"You can't remember right, this is normal for Ruby but Toby, you're better than this. I expected you to put some excitement in her life," she continued.

"I don't know about a club Sapphire, with the elections coming up we are supposed to be keeping a low profile," I finally said.

"I understand but you should have organised a private party. I bet we could put something together right now, call up a few people, pick up some drinks and trash you people's place," Sapphire said.

"Well, Ruby wasn't interested in having a party and that is why I didn't bother planning anything so it's her call," I said.

"I'll pass," Ruby said.

"Oh, I see what's happening, I'm the third wheel here."

"No, that's not it, I would rather just have a quiet night in," Ruby said.

"You don't have to pretend, Jeremy is with Clara and now, it's time for the parents to get freaky freaky," Sapphire.

"No," Ruby started, blushing to her roots.

"You don't have to deny it, good night sis and brother-in-law," Sapphire said, ending with a wink before hopping into her car. We waved and watched as she drove off before hopping into our car.

The apartment felt empty without Jeremy, how one tiny person could take up so much space was beyond me. The gap between Ruby and I wasn't making things any better. She barely said a word to me on the ride back even when I tried to strike up a conversation. She headed straight to her room when we arrived and so I did the same.

Opening my phone I was bombarded with messages and missed calls from Yasmin. Most of her messages were filled with threats and I couldn't afford to wait and see if those threats were empty.

"I'll be in your house with the papers," I typed. I had stalled enough, it was time to do what I had to do. I shot my lawyer a text to check in with him if he had the papers in order. He replied immediately, they'd been ready for weeks. just when our lives were starting to fuse perfectly we had to go our separate ways. I didn't want to go through with the divorce but it seems like that's what Ruby wants and it might just be what is best for all of us.

I refused to acknowledge why I didn't want the divorce anymore. These feelings I had developed for Ruby were not reciprocated so it was better I pushed them down and tucked them away. I deserved it for treating her the way I did when I knew she had a crush on me. Now that she had grown out of her feelings for me it was only fair that I got served the rejection I dished out all those years ago. I fell asleep plagued with nightmares of a world where my father ruled the city and I couldn't keep my family together.

I woke up with a stupid headache, dreading the day ahead but I forged on. I trudged out of bed and to the bathroom to prepare for the day. I skipped breakfast driving straight to my lawyer's place to pick up the papers then headed to Yasmin's place.

I began regretting everything the moment I knocked on her door, divorce papers in hand. If I gave into her threats today how was I sure she wouldn't come up with more bullshit she expected of me?

"Hey Toby," Yasmin said the moment her door flew. She moved aside and I entered her apartment.

"Where is the baby?"

"You mean Toby, he's out with my mum."

"Why did you let her take him out when you knew I was coming over?"

"Let's not pretend you came visiting, you're here for business so let's do business."

"Fine," I said, handing the papers over. We stood while she looked through the papers.

"Why are you pursuing joint custody? You should collect the child from her or leave her with the child. You have Toby and who knows if her child is even yours? I don't want her using that child as an excuse to keep dropping in on us when we are married," she said. I looked intently at her in disbelief at the nonsense she just spewed out of her mouth. I snatched the papers from her and made for the door.