“Do you know why you're still breathing right now?” Ed inquired, lowering his crossed legs.
In front of him, Marco was trembling and kneeling, shaking his head. He was grateful for the situation, but he truly didn’t know.
His handsome and sympathetic face was not only unrecognizable but also deformed. His once straight nose was now bent because it was broken. Ed had kicked him earlier. Because of the injury to his shoulder, Ed had resorted to more kicking.
“Mayte. I don’t owe her anything, but it feels wrong to kill you outright without considering the past,” Ed said.
“Don Rosas, I wouldn’t have done this if Pedro hadn’t provoked me. I just…”
"I don't care who provoked who; just admit that you wanted to oppose me. You even helped the Carlos family escape, didn’t you? I let it go. Because my wife was fine afterward, I didn't pursue it. But you foolishly tried again?”
“Eh? This?” Liz cursed inwardly. She was using her regular phone because she didn't want to replace it. All her photos and friends' contacts were there, but maybe she should have swapped it out yesterday, not just her clothes."I... Father gave it to me. So, I threw the old one away." Liz lied with relief."Threw it away?" Ed raised an eyebrow. He was surprised because he remembered clearly how much Liz loved the phone he gave her."Yes. I prefer this one. It's a new and attractive model." Liz showed off the array of sparkling stones on the back of the phone."Oh, I also changed the number. My father said it was for security. Give me your phone." Liz extended her hand. After she found an answer that sounded right to her, her reasoning flowed more smoothly.Ed was still very puzzled, but he handed over his phone. He watched with a furrowed brow as Liz entered the new number under her name. She had already gotten Ed's phone number from Es
"LIZ!" Ed opened the door and barged in."What?" Liz, already seated, lowered her phone, surprised to see Ed return, breathless."You..." Ed approached Liz, pointing at her. "You're angry with me, aren't you?" Ed asked.Liz scowled, opting not to probe further, eager to hear Ed's perspective. When you don't know anything, the best course of action is to wait and listen."Angelo... I met him. I know," Ed said, sitting in the chair he had left the previous night.Ed wiped his face, the throbbing pain in his damaged side returning, as he had to decide on something caused by that injury."You still don't want it?" Ed inquired, reaching for Liz's hand. He remembered Liz saying that day that she didn't want to be pregnant. No wonder her behavior was strange.However, Liz couldn't possibly understand. Liz could only remain silent. She was still guessing where the conversation was heading. She didn't even recognize the name Angelo Ed mentioned."It's not that I didn't want it at all. I panick
"You're not feeling nauseous or wanting to vomit, are you?" Ed asked Liz, who was sitting next to him.The car they were in was speeding along, and they had already covered half of the trip without any problems. Liz appeared fine, which was unusual.The distance from Ed's house to the hospital was quite far, as yesterday he had taken Liz to the nearest hospital from the warehouse where Pedro was held captive. During the trip, Ed was not used to seeing Liz well. She had been typing and reading without any issues."I'm not nauseous anymore." Liz shrugged, not taking her eyes off the phone screen."Did the doctor give you anti-nausea medication?" Ed asked."Yes." Liz answered nonchalantly. She thought Ed was talking about the nausea from her pregnancy."No wonder." Ed didn't question it further. It made sense.But then he noticed something else unusual."What are you actually doing? Who have you been contacting all this time?" Ed asked curiously. It was unusual to see Liz paying so much
"Am I cursed? Are you kidding? That finger should be pointing at your own face!" Liz snapped.It was a startling outburst, but Ed wasn't too surprised after remembering how Liz had also been brave enough to confront Mia in the warehouse where Pedro was held captive yesterday."You dare to fight me now?! This bitch finally reveals her true face!" Mia, of course, was immediately furious."Bitch? Funny. You're the one married to a rapist, which means you're the bitch! You're such a slut that you willingly accepted that disgusting man as your husband. You want love so badly, you don't care what kind of man he is!" Liz knew what had happened in detail because Esli had asked Ruby about the incident that put her in the hospital. But the barrage of insults was shocking. No one expected Liz to say such things.The living room fell silent. Tita, Ed, and even Mia were stunned, staring at Liz."You... you..." Mia was red with anger but too shocked to respond.
In the dim light, Ed gazed at Liz and slowly lay back down."Well, good night." Ed pulled Liz's body close and hugged her.He didn't close his eyes immediately, unable to wipe the odd feeling from his lips.The kiss shouldn't have been wrong or strange. It should have been normal, as usual, but for some reason, it didn't feel right to Ed. There was something different.A small difference. The way Liz breathed or moved her lips was different. After that, Ed usually understood what Liz wanted. Liz would hold her breath, or if she wanted more, her breathing would become more rapid.Liz was serene at this moment. Like an undisturbed surface of water."It was just a kiss," Ed thought as he closed his eyes.He was fussing over something unnecessary. Liz might just be tired, or maybe he was too tired, making a big deal out of something trivial.Ed decided to let go of the odd feeling. There is no need to overthink it; a kiss is just a
"I'm getting married today." Ruby muttered to herself, while pinching her thigh hidden beneath the billowing skirt of her white wedding dress. Making sure she wasn't dreaming.She was indeed getting married today, even though just two days ago she didn't have a boyfriend."Remember, if you want your mother to receive care and that money, you must not withdraw or annul the agreement between us."Ruby, who had just held her breath—calming the nausea in her stomach—turned to look at the bald-headed old man who was currently holding her arm. The words were only whispers, but they were clear enough amidst the buzz of the guests in front of the altar."I have promised; I will not break it." Ruby whispered back, affirming that she would fulfill her part of the deal they had agreed upon.Ruby agreed to marry a stranger she had only seen in a photo in exchange for money. That was the essence of her role. Ruby was aware of all the risks, and she believed they were worth it."Remember it for the
"Stupid girl!"Ruby, who had just lost consciousness, opened her eyes after receiving an insult and a slap on her cheek.Ruby rubbed her sore cheek, and instantly her blurry vision cleared. She realized she was now lying on a large bed after her body went limp upon seeing her husband's hideous face."Do you want to get us all killed or what? You just needed to kiss him! You're a fool!" Esli, Liz's father, said so. He appeared furious, occasionally glancing toward the door, concerned that someone might overhear.Ruby was too shocked to respond to the insult from the father of a woman who should be in her position. She hadn't expected to receive such harsh anger. After all, it wasn't her intention to faint. Who would've thought that the man who became her spouse would look like a monster?"You screamed in his face and fainted? You just insulted him, fool! Why didn't you just throw shit in his face?!" Esli rubbed his face in panic.Ruby's fainting after seeing Eduardo Rosas' face could c
"Don't expect you can run or try to escape, because this face will always haunt you in your nightmares!" Ruby jerked as Eduardo pinned her against the wall behind her. Ruby bit her lip hard, closing her eyes tightly to hold back the sobs of fear. Unfortunately, no matter how hard Ruby tried to hold back, tears still managed to escape from her chocolate orbs. How could they not? The intense gaze of her lawful husband seemed to pierce her heart. "Wipe those tears away and do your duty as a wife properly! Don't let them think I'm mistreating you!" Eduardo barked, tossing a box of tissue toward Ruby. Esli picked up the tissue, pretending to help Ruby clean her face to appear good in front of Eduardo. Just as the man made sure Eduardo had left the room, Esli leaned in close to Ruby's ear and said, "If you still want to see your mother, make sure you do everything right."Ruby nodded, steeling herself. She had to endure for her mother. She didn't need to take to heart all the insults s