"Beast? What beast?" Ruby was confused.
"The beast from the fairy tale," said AJ.
Ruby chuckled softly. "Now isn't the time for you to talk about fairy tales, AJ. You're sick."
"But..."
"Answer first. What were you doing before your nose started bleeding?" Ruby asked. She wanted to know the cause.
"Mm, what was I doing? I was playing." AJ answered hesitantly, avoiding eye contact.
Ruby recognized this behavior as an attempt to lie. "AJ?" Ruby pressed firmly.
AJ's lips immediately pouted. "I was hiding in the treehouse," AJ admitted in a whisper.
Ruby sighed and sat on the edge of AJ's bed.
"Ms. Rosemore didn't mean to doubt your abilities, AJ. She just didn't expect you to read so fluently. You shouldn't be upset at her just because of that. You..."
"Oh my, AJ. Is that true? Are you upset at me?" Ms. Rosemore, who had just followed them in, replied in surprise. This was the first time she heard about AJ's anger.
“I…”Ed wanted to respond by saying 'his friend', but then realized that someone nearing forty years old is not suited to befriend a four-year-old boy. He would look like a child predator searching for prey.“Are you his mother’s boyfriend?”Another suspicious question came as Ed was still thinking, which made things even weirder. “What do you mean?” asked Ed.“What’s your intention with AJ?” The woman continued to pose sharp questions, and her movements now seemed aggressive. She stood in the middle of the hallway, blocking Ed.“I just want to return something AJ gave me. I have no other intentions.” Ed raised his hands and stepped back, showing a calm demeanor. He didn’t want to appear aggressive in a place full of children.“Really?” Ms. Rosemore still looked doubtful and scrutinized Ed closely. Ed didn't look suspicious from the
Ed calculated in his head, recalling the amount of Diego’s drugs he had consumed. He couldn't rule out the possibility that an overdose might have caused him to see something unusual. But Ed remembered that the last time he took those drugs was two days ago.There are no drugs in his system now. His mind and vision were clear. So, what he was seeing should be real.Ed felt his coat, then took out his phone and called Otiz.“Where is my wife?” Ed asked. He sought to dispel the feeling that he was losing his mind. Maybe Liz was indeed in New York.“Umm, still the same. Señora hasn’t left the city.” Otiz answered, obviously puzzled. Meanwhile, Ed needed something to hold on to, as his head suddenly felt very light.“Are you sure?” Ed frowned and rubbed his face, which suddenly hurt. Extreme confusion gripped him.“Yes, I can ask them to send a photo if you’re not sure.” Otiz suggested.“Alright.” Ed ended the call while the voices in his head were clamorous.He couldn’t comprehend what h
“Are you okay?” Otiz presented Ed with a bottle of mineral water.They were already in the VIP waiting room at the airport, but Otiz would run out if necessary—if Ed needed medical help.In Otiz’s eyes, Ed looked like he was having a heart attack. Ed returned to the car, pale as a ghost, completely unresponsive, not even objecting when Otiz drove. Ed just sat there, holding his head, for the entire trip.He was still sitting there, looking unwell. Otiz was understandably worried.“Did something happen?” Otiz asked. He knew it was a stupid question because, clearly, something had happened to make Ed look so empty.“Is Liz in Mexico?” Ed inquired again, pressing firmly against the aching side of his face. There was no way he could be calm after all this.“Yes. I also confirmed that she’ll be in San Miguel de Allende for the next few days.” Of course, Otiz requested not just photos but also other information.“Then who was that here?” Ed murmured quietly.Not Liz. Ed was now sure. He cou
"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
The tug on Ruby's arm made her flinch in fear. The man was clearly not affectionate towards her, as evidenced by the cold stare and rough grip on the woman's arm that made her hiss."What, are you trying to escape?!" Eduardo snapped as he tugged on Ruby's body, nearly causing her to stumble. There was no warmth in his assistance at all."Don't be rough, Ed," the pastor tried to calm, but the warning merely passed by."How dare you try to run away!" Eduardo dragged Ruby inside, while Ruby trembled in fear. Eduardo was intimidating, not just because of his face but also because of his demeanor. Ruby was more afraid of his nature than of his current appearance."I'm not running. I just..." Ruby tried to defend herself, but it was futile. Eduardo didn't want to hear any words coming out of her mouth. The impulsive decision Ruby made earlier is now endangering her safety.Eduardo continued to drag Ruby, who stumbled because of her flowing dress, into the living room, passing by several peo
Clang!The fall of Eduardo's belt, which stared at Ruby as if she were prey, broke the silence in the room.Ruby tried to ignore it, but she was still struggling with the last two pieces of cloth clinging to her body. Ruby attempted to reach the clasp on her back, but failed repeatedly. Her hands were trembling, a mixture of fear, cold, and reluctance.Despite the obvious difficulty, Eduardo's desire clouded his mind, focusing only on Ruby's provocative body displays. Provoking his lust."There, that's better. Don't cry and act all innocent—it's not fitting. You and your father are the same! Hypocrites."Before Ruby could interpret the confusing statement, Eduardo suddenly stood up, causing Ruby's entire body to shiver.Ruby had no experience whatsoever with men. Her mother had made sure Ruby didn't know adult things before her time. Ruby only knew in general—she had to undress, but not the details. Yesterday, she contemplated buying her virginity with fifty million pesos, but her mor