“I… I had a fight with my father. So, I changed his name. That’s it… Out of anger, I changed it. I made him a stranger.” Ruby crafted an excuse in her panic. She didn’t know if it made any sense.“A fight… because of our marriage?” Ed guessed.Ruby didn’t answer. She bowed her head because it was easier. She would let Ed draw his own conclusions. She didn’t have a long enough reason to continue that lie.“Hello?”Ruby looked up, realizing Ed was answering the call. Ed didn’t feel like walking and wanted to know why Esli was calling.“What is it?” Ed asked again, because Esli was silent. Surprised to hear Ed’s voice.“Don Rosas? Is that you? I’m surprised.” Esli laughed nervously.“I just wanted to ask about Liz. I haven’t heard from her in a while.” Esli was friendly and sweet, of course.“Liz? She’s…”“DON’T… Ah!” Ruby was able to guess Esli's question from Ed's answer, and she panicked immediately. She had to stop Ed from explaining her condition. Ruby raised her hand, causing the I
Ruby couldn't even remember all that happened, let alone prepare for it. All Ruby remembered were colorful lights, loud music, and lots of people."Did you enjoy it so much that you forgot, or do you think it's so ordinary that you're confused about which man I'm talking about?" Ed sneered cynically.Ruby, still busy piecing together her memories and trying to come up with an excuse, had to lower her head again. She didn't know what to say or how to explain, because, from any angle, she was at fault. Maybe she should have been more firm in refusing when Lori invited her.However, she had to become Liz. It would have been very suspicious if she suddenly rejected that lifestyle."I remember," Ruby half-lied, because that choice was better than the explanations Ed had mentioned earlier. The decision to not know which man it was made her look very much like a slut."I didn't mean to be like this. I was just bored after being at home for so long. So... I followed Lori," Ruby said.She mana
“Why not? Didn’t you read my message?” Ed met Otiz outside the room, sounding dissatisfied because Otiz had not followed his orders.“Senor Reyes contacted me about that,” Otiz replied, gesturing to his two men to stay. They would guard the room Ed had just left. It couldn't be left unguarded.“What do you mean? What does that idiot have to do with it?” Ed didn’t understand why Mayte’s father had to get involved.“His father knows Senor Reyes and asked for his help—to save his son’s life,” Otiz explained.“Oh.” Ed was no longer surprised. Carlos is associated with Liz—part of his world. Most likely, he was a wealthy and influential person. He approached Marco Reyes to ask for help to save his son.“Where?” asked Ed. He knew Marco would definitely ask to meet.“I haven't made an appointment.” Otiz wouldn’t make an appointment without Ed’s approval.“Now. I won't delay his death.” Ed would meet Marco, but he didn’t want to change his decision. He would meet Marco out of courtesy. Even t
"That kid is just foolish. Please, he's my only child." Failing to reason, Miguel merely pleaded for mercy."My wife is also one of a kind, and your son chose to flirt with her instead of the other women there," Ed retorted, taking another sip of his drink. He glanced at Marco, who was slowly straightening up."But... but... I beg you to forgive him. It was just foolishness, an uncontrollable desire." Miguel continued to beg."I implore you not to make this a bigger issue. I understand your anger, but I don't think this needs to be resolved like this. I'm sure they were just caught up in the moment and situation; they didn't mean anything serious. The influence of alcohol and drugs can turn anything into chaos. People in that setting are prone to making mistakes."Marco finally joined in persuading, but in the wrong way. He spoke clearly and politely, but he had just accused Liz of accepting Carlos's advances—it wasn’t just Carlos's fault if they appeared to be about to kiss. Liz was a
"Forgive me!"Lori rushed in and hugged Ruby as soon as she entered the hospital room. Ruby, who was standing by the bed, could freely return the embrace now that the IV lines were no longer a hindrance. As Lori cried, Ruby hugged and patted her on the back."I had no idea Carlos would be so stupid as to give you that drug. I warned him repeatedly to be careful and not mess up when he was with you. He must be deaf, or maybe just brainless."Lori began to rant, and Ruby listened with a smile. She was no longer angry with Lori.Though Lori’s insistence had caused Ruby a lot of trouble, it was true that Lori just wanted them to have fun together. She meant no harm and was simply following what seemed appropriate for the lifestyle of rich kids. Ruby just wasn't used to it.And seeing Lori's remorse now, Ruby couldn't possibly hate her. Lori's kindness was rare; Ruby hadn't encountered it often since taking on the role of Liz. Especially after understanding what Lori had gone through—conce
“I was just too lazy to change it,” Ruby muttered softly, reaching for the phone that Lori held with a look of disgust. Owning that phone seemed to be tantamount to shame among the rich.Lori kept pressing, shaking her head in disbelief, but that reason was more acceptable—it didn't make it seem like Ruby had to be frugal."I'm taking it back. Eduardo was right. This is perfect for you. He’s smart for matching it to your needs. It’s sweet.” Lori withdrew her hasty accusation and opened the phone box for Liz.“Whoa… Custom-made.” Lori’s eyes widened when she saw the highly polished back of the phone, unlike any typical model.Ruby accepted it and gazed in awe. It was, of course, the best and most luxurious phone she had ever owned. The phone was not large and could even be folded into a smaller size. It was the latest model, usually only seen by Ruby on buses or TV.“What kind of leaf is this?” Ruby asked, pointing to the uniquely patterned custom case. As Lori mentioned earlier, the p
Ruby didn't move at all, knowing that the sound of heavy footsteps belonged to Ed, which was surprising. Ed wasn’t supposed to be home—he was supposed to be in Guadalajara until next week or whenever, but certainly not now.Ruby, of course, was even more afraid to open her eyes, so she kept them closed, listening as the closet door opened and other noises followed.“I don’t need to look to know you’re still awake.”Ruby squeaked, for sure. Startled—and embarrassed. She opened her eyes and had to search before finally finding Ed sitting in one of the chairs near the terrace.He hadn’t turned on the lights but had slightly opened the curtains. letting some light in. The light is not very bright, but it is enough to dimly illuminate the room.Ruby sat with her head down. Her embarrassment persisted, partially due to her inability to formulate a response. She glanced and saw that Ed was also observing.“Do you like it?” Ed inquired, pointing to the phone still in Ruby's hands.“Oh, yes. I
“Hmm?” Ruby shifted her eyes from the screen and looked back at Ed.“What?” Ed asked in return.“You said something.” Ruby heard something but wasn't sure what.“Really? I didn't say anything.” Ed shook his head in denial. Ed just realized he had said it out loud. He had intended to keep it in his head.“Oh, okay.” Ruby was hesitant, convinced she heard something. But she couldn't insist if Ed himself didn't feel he had said anything.“You’re twenty-four,” Ed said suddenly.Ruby turned again. “Age? Yes. I'm twenty-four.” Ruby didn't need to think while answering, given that she and Liz were of the same age. Ed should know that too.“You don’t look twenty-four.”Ruby finally put down her phone. It was her turn to feel a bit offended. She didn’t understand why Ed suddenly brought up age, but the statement ‘not like 24’ stung. Her face shouldn’t look that old. Discussing age was a sensitive topic for women.“Then how old do I look?” Ruby tried not to sound snappy, but she still sounded c