“What makes you reluctant to see a doctor? I just want some clarity. Are you sick or what?”The reprimand, of course, came from Ed—via a phone call. Otiz might have given up on taking Ruby to the doctor, but he still reported it. After lying down aimlessly, Ruby sighed inwardly, moving to sit up.“I was just carsick. I went too far,” said Ruby.“You shouldn’t be so easily swayed by Lori. If you’re not well, don’t go along with her plans.” Ed immediately assumed Ruby went out because of Lori's persuasion.“I wanted to go out. Not Lori. I was just bored at home.” Ruby corrected him, not wanting Lori to get any unnecessary blame.“I’ll rest at home now.” Ruby promised earnestly, hoping to end Ed’s interest in her condition.“As you should. Don't listen to Tia Mia, either. You don’t need to think about anything she says.”“Yes.” Ruby answered with a slightly hoarse voice, holding back tears. Of course, she had moved. When Ed defended her, Mia's insults didn't appear or feel as bad.“Get s
“LEAVE THIS PLACE!”Ed shouted while lying on the back seat, clutching his bleeding ear. The bullet missed only slightly, not quite hitting its mark. It was definitely aimed at Ed and came very close.If he had been sitting straight, the bullet would have hit his back.“More than one!” As the side window behind them shattered, Otiz yelled in panic.The different shooting directions indicated that their enemies were not only tracking them from behind, but also from the side. They'd been watching from the beginning.It was clear they weren't driving since Ed's was the only car on the road.That's why Ed ordered Otiz to leave the road immediately, to avoid remaining a target.However, driving while dodging bullets was no simple task. The car was a moving target, but the fact that they managed to hit Ed’s ear meant the shooter was very professional. Moreover, the gunshots were silenced. They were accustomed to performing tasks with precision. If they couldn’t escape, there was a high chan
Ed groaned, feeling a blow to his waist, while more shattered glass rained down on him.Ed squirmed as his body was pinned against the seat, but he managed to break free.“Otiz? Otiz!” Ed shook Otiz’s shoulder but got no response. Ed had to leave the car before caring for Otiz.At any moment, the person targeting him would come to check if the target was dead. But Ed took a moment to grab his phone and send his location.His men were there to guard his field from thieves.“Otiz.” Ed shook Otiz's shoulder once more, but his head still hung limply. Ed didn’t know if he was alive or not, and he didn’t have time to check. Ed forced the car door open with a kick and crawled out.“Damn it.” Ed murmured in response to the sound of metal clashing. Another shot. They knew he was out of the car.Ed immediately rolled away, taking cover behind the bushes and trees near the car, making as much
"TITA!"Ruby called again, but her view was cut off as Pedro quickly shut the door. Ruby was trapped again.She shook her head as she inched backward, staring at Pedro, who now managed to smile. Despite the pain in his face, he couldn't hide the victorious grin."Don't come closer!" Ruby screamed."Why not? You agreed yesterday." Pedro approached, grimacing."Did you forget or...""Don't touch me!" Ruby slapped away Pedro's outstretched hand, then dragged her body up to stand.Ruby ran away, grabbing anything that could be used as a weapon. This was Ed's study, however. There were only books and pens on the table.Ruby threw everything at Pedro, but it was met only with laughter. Pedro didn't even try to chase her as she frantically ran around. He merely ensured she didn't get near the door."There's no point in running," Pedro said, laughing again as Ruby finally stopped, standing still with a desperate stare. The windo
“Ed, wait! ... Wait!” Pedro dragged his body away as Ed stepped closer."I allowed you to stay here because of Tia. That’s the only reason, and now you dare to play with fire?” Ed hissed, picking up Ruby’s phone from the floor and turning it off. It was an important witness.“No, I didn’t! I was just joking!” Pedro defended himself weakly, begging and screaming as Ed grabbed his head.Ed yanked Pedro’s hair, dragging him closer to Ruby, who was lying face down with her shoulders shaking. Crying. A pitiful state.“YOU CALL THAT A JOKE?!” Ed shouted, throwing Pedro’s body against the sofa.“Yes… Really. You don’t understand, Ed. I tried to resist, but I didn’t want to. I have Mia. Why would I look for someone else? But Liz tempted me! I didn’t mean it!” Pedro begged, touching Ed’s feet.But that foot quickly kicked his head again,
Ruby couldn't speak or ask any questions during the journey because Mia drove without caring about anything other than reaching their destination.Ruby, whose condition had already been less than optimal from the start, felt even worse. She opened the car door as soon as Mia braked, vomiting tea onto the ground.“What’s wrong with you?! Come on, hurry!”Mia seemed truly blind to Ruby's dreadful state, pulling her back inside without any concern.“Wait!” Ruby finally snapped, breaking free from Mia's grip after almost falling over. The building they entered looked like a warehouse.It was a spacious structure with a high ceiling and bright lights, filled with numerous boxes of unknown contents, and the floor was uneven. Because of this, Ruby struggled to walk.“What’s wrong with you?” Mia, impatient, turned around, glaring at Ruby, who was bent over, taking deep breaths.“Why
“Don’t touch her!” Ed pushed Mia away from Pedro, and she began to cry.“Please don’t do this, Ed. He couldn’t have...”“Shut up.” Ed growled, then stood in front of Pedro, extending his hand and signaling for Ruby to come closer.Ruby was still confused, but she moved closer. Ed was the only person she recognized in the room beside Pedro and Mia. She felt safer near Ed.“I heard Liz say you’ve been trying to seduce her since she came to the house.” Ed had heard it. Ruby's yelling had already been loud enough, and it echoed throughout the area.“I… didn’t…” Pedro seemed to shake his head while trying to blink his swollen and bruised eyes. Then tears ran down his cheeks, which were no longer brown but purple and blue.“It’s all… not…”“Are you still going to say I was seducing you?!” Ruby cut him off, sensing that Pedro was going to defend himself with another lie.At first, Ruby felt pity for Pedro's condition, but it's possible that his injuries were well-deserved. Despite everything
"Señora? Can you hear me?"Ruby was trying to open her eyes when someone tapped her shoulder."Mm.. yes." Ruby blinked rapidly, feeling a bit confused because it seemed like many hands were touching her."Thank goodness. Please don't panic. You are in the hospital, and we are checking your condition."Ruby saw clearly and realized that the person speaking to her was a doctor."No!" Ruby pulled her hand away and pushed away the one that was about to prick her with a needle. She didn't want any doctors touching her."Eh? Señora, you were brought in unconscious. We need to know what made you pass out." The doctor was puzzled but also intent on being insistent."No. I'm fine. I want to go home." Ruby again pushed away his hands and sat up."What's wrong with you?"Ruby jolted and turned. Ed was there, standing a little distance away. Ruby lowered her head, clutching the blanket that covered half her body, hiding her panic and fear.Ed motioned with his head for the doctor near Ruby's bed