Chapter 66 New Rings & Old Scars
Sabrina slipped into the plush white robe provided by the Emerald Bay Resort's spa, smoothing her hands over the soft fabric. The scent of lavender and eucalyptus lingered in the air, blending with the soft hum of calming music. She had been looking forward to this massage all week—a rare moment to herself amidst the whirlwind of her life.
Just as she reached to place her phone on silent, it vibrated in her hand. A message from Emilia popped up:
Emilia: Hey, Sabrina. Are you busy? I was wondering if we could meet up. I'd really love to see you.
A small smile tugged at Sabrina's lips. She adored her cousin, and though life often kept them apart, their bond remained unshaken. Without hesitation, she typed back:
Sabrina: Of course, sweetheart. Where do you want to meet?
Emilia: The café by the garden? If that's okay?
Sabrina: Perfect. I'll be there soon.
As much as she had been looking forward to unwinding, nothing mattered more than family. And if Emilia needed her, there was no place she'd rather be.
Nostalgia swept over her as she changed into a sundress. Summers spent in their grandparents' backyard flashed through her mind—chasing each other through the garden, cake fights that left frosting in their hair, whispered secrets under blanket forts. No matter how much time passed, those memories remained, a reminder of their unbreakable bond.
Just as she was about to leave, Daniel emerged from the bedroom, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve. "I'm heading out to meet Ryder."
Before Sabrina could respond, a soft thud sounded from outside. They exchanged a glance before she stepped toward the door. When she opened it, a small, unmarked box sat neatly on the floor.
Her brow furrowed. "Did you order something?"
Daniel shook his head. "No. You?"
"Not that I remember."
She turned the box over in her hands. No label, no return address—just a plain package. Setting it on the counter, she eyed it warily. As her fingers lingered, an unsettling warmth radiated from it. Subtle, but undeniable.
Daniel noticed too, his eyes narrowing. "Did you feel that?"
Sabrina nodded, a chill running down her spine. "Yeah. It's... warm."
A strange tension filled the air, thick with unspoken questions. Daniel exhaled, forcing a chuckle. "Probably just a heat pack inside or something."
Sabrina nodded, though unease still lingered. Whatever it was, it could wait. Family came first.
Yet as she walked out the door, she couldn't shake the feeling that something unseen was waiting inside that box.
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The golden morning light spilled across the sheets, illuminating the quiet intimacy of Emilia and Henry's morning. Tangled beneath the covers, Emilia stretched, attempting to slip away, but Henry was faster. With a low groan, he tightened his grip, pulling her back against him.
"Where do you think you're going?" he murmured, lips brushing against her shoulder.
Emilia giggled. "I need to get up."
"No, you want to get up," he corrected, voice thick with sleep. "Big difference."
She sighed playfully. "I have plans."
"I am your plan." He smirked, pulling her closer. "Cancel whatever it is. Stay with me. We can do... morning things again."
She laughed. "Henry Kingsley, are you trying to seduce me out of getting out of bed?"
He grinned. "Is it working?"
"Maybe."
Henry groaned in triumph, only for her to suddenly push at his chest. "Too bad I actually do have to go."
He flopped onto his back dramatically. "Betrayal. Absolute betrayal."
She stretched. "Speaking of plans... when do you want to tell your family?"
Henry peeked at her, suddenly more awake. "Housewarming party? Or we could host something ourselves?"
Emilia smirked. "You? Host?"
He pressed a hand to his chest, feigning offense. "I pour drinks. I order food. I look devastatingly handsome while doing both."
She rolled her eyes. "So, your brothers do all the actual work?"
Henry huffed. "Unimportant details."
Emilia laughed. "Henry, your family already loves me. It's going to be a celebration no matter what."
His expression softened. "I know. I just... I want it to be special."
She leaned down, pressing a slow kiss to his lips. "It already is."
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Daniel spotted Ryder at the resort's sleek outdoor bar, leaning against the counter with an easy smirk and a whiskey in hand. The man had the audacity to look relaxed, even knowing full well why Daniel was here.
Daniel raised a brow. "Excuse me?"
Ryder set his glass down with a smirk. "You came to punch me, didn't you?" He tilted his jaw ever so slightly, as if offering a target. "Might as well get it over with."
Daniel let out a humorless chuckle. "You actually want me to hit you?"
Ryder shrugged. "Not want exactly, but let's be real—you know. I know you know. Might as well take your shot."
Daniel exhaled through his nose, rolling his shoulders back. He wasn't the type to throw punches over stupid things. But kissing Sabrina? Yeah, that wasn't exactly nothing.
Without warning, he swung—not at full force, but enough to send Ryder stumbling back a step. The sharp crack of impact sent a hush over the nearby tables.
Ryder groaned, rubbing his jaw with a wince. "Damn. You've got a hell of a right hook."
Daniel flexed his fingers, shaking off the sting. "Consider that your only warning." He grabbed the beer the bartender had just set in front of him and took a long sip. "Do it again, and you'll be drinking through a straw."
Ryder chuckled, rolling his jaw like he was testing if it still worked. "Fair enough. You done?"
Daniel sighed, shaking his head. "Yeah. For now."
The tension between them simmered, but instead of boiling over, it settled into something else. A strange, mutual understanding.
Ryder sat back down, motioning to the bartender. "Another round and get one for my buddy here too."
Daniel snorted. "Now I'm your buddy?"
"Well, you didn't break my face, so that's a start." Ryder grinned as he took another sip of his drink, then sighed. "Look, man, I didn't mean to mess things up with you and Sabrina if I did. Wasn't exactly thinking straight when I kissed her that night. I was freaking out."
Daniel exhaled. "Yeah, well. We've all made some questionable choices." He shot Ryder a look. "Speaking of... what's your plan when this revenge thing plays out? Once Scarlett gets her justice?"
For the first time, Ryder didn't have a snarky response. He stared at his glass, tapping his fingers against the side, thinking. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter.
"Honestly? I don't know." He exhaled, shaking his head. "Hollywood's been nothing but trouble for me lately. I could go back to Boston, start over, do something that doesn't involve tabloids and PR nightmares." He let out a dry laugh. "But walking away from all of this? Feels like giving up."
Daniel studied him for a moment before nodding. "Or it's just making a different choice. Doesn't mean you're giving up. Means you're figuring out what actually works for you."
Ryder tilted his head, considering that. "Maybe. But hell, man, I love the chaos. Even when it's ruining my life, it's still... something." He ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath. "I just don't know if I've got anything else."
Daniel took a sip of his beer. "Then maybe it's time to find out."
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of Ryder's words settling between them. It was rare to see him this serious, this unsure. But Daniel wasn't about to be the guy to tell him what to do with his life. That was Ryder's mess to figure out.
After a beat, Ryder smirked, lightening the mood. "You sure you don't wanna take another swing? Get all that brotherly rage out of your system?"
Daniel rolled his eyes. "Don't push your luck."
With a chuckle, Ryder clinked his glass against Daniel's. "Alright, truce. At least until we finish what we started with the Hallie plan."
Daniel smirked, shaking his head as he took another drink. "Let's just hope we don't end up regretting it."
The two men sat back, an unspoken camaraderie settling between them—somewhere between rivals, accomplices, and something resembling friends.
And for better or worse, they still had unfinished business.
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Emilia arrived at the garden café, her smile brightening as she spotted Sabrina waiting at a quiet corner table. They embraced warmly, the familiarity of family wrapping around them like a comforting blanket before settling into their seats.
Emilia blinked, leaning forward slightly. "What do you mean?"
Sabrina took a deep breath, her lips pressing into a thin line before she explained. "Hallie. She's obsessed with Ryder, right? Well, Daniel and I worked out a plan. We used Ryder because we knew he was her weakness at the time. Everything she did to you? She's about to feel it."
Emilia's eyes widened, a mix of shock and worry crossing her face. "Sabrina... what did you do?"
Sabrina hesitated, guilt flickering across her face for a split second before she smirked, though it didn't reach her eyes. "By the time we're done, Hallie Rogers won't just lose her career—she'll become the kind of story people tell as a warning."
Emilia sat back, trying to process this. But Sabrina rushed on, her voice softening. "Look, Em, I know I should've spoken up for you when it mattered. When Hallie was tearing you down, I was too scared of burning bridges or making things worse. But I've realized... keeping your friends close and your enemies closer? It's not worth it if it means losing the people who matter most. I'm sorry I didn't step in sooner. I can't change that, but I swear, I'm on your side now."
Before Emilia could respond, she brushed her hair behind her ear—a motion so casual it was almost missed—but the flash of a diamond ring caught Sabrina's sharp eyes. Her jaw dropped.
Emilia chuckled softly, though there was a bittersweet undertone in her voice. "Oh, Sab... it's been a journey. Chase and I—it was a mess. I thought he was my forever, but life doesn't always work out how we imagine. Things got complicated, and I realized I wasn't the person I thought I was with him. It took time, but I finally found clarity."
Sabrina's eyebrows knit together in shock. "So, who's the lucky fella?"
A warmth spread across Emilia's face as her lips curled into a tender smile. "His name is Henry. He's... everything. I met him through Aunt Rose. He's steady, kind, and I never have to fight for his love. It's just there. He proposed last night. I didn't see it coming, but I've never been so sure of anything."
Sabrina let out a long exhale. "Damn, Em. You really have been on an emotional rollercoaster."
Emilia laughed lightly. "You have no idea."
Sabrina reached across the table to squeeze her friend's hand. "You deserve this. You deserve him."
A grin broke across Emilia's face, and she leaned back, her eyes sparkling. "Speaking of things that make me happy—I'm throwing a housewarming party next weekend. Small group—family, Henry, a few close friends. And... we're making it a pool party. Just like old times."
Sabrina's eyes lit up with excitement. "No way. The legendary pool parties are making a comeback?"
Emilia wiggled her eyebrows mischievously. "Pizza, music, floating in the pool until we're pruney—the whole deal."
Sabrina clapped her hands together. "Please tell me you got the giant inflatable swan."
Emilia laughed. "Wouldn't be a proper party without it."
Sabrina grinned, the tension from earlier melting away. "Count me in."
As the sun dipped lower, casting warm golden light through the café windows, their laughter filled the space. Time had changed so much in their lives, but here, in this moment, their friendship remained unshakable.