“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
Words are like magic, creating wonders. Ruby felt her body glide into the cool water, floating gently, enveloped in quiet comfort. Brief, concise, but not simple.Ruby knew she hadn’t misheard, as she saw those green eyes looking at her. They didn’t blink or show hesitation. Those eyes were gentle.“For everything that happened—for what hurt you. I’m sorry, and I won’t do it again.”Warmth gathered in Ruby’s face, piling up into tears.Ruby hadn’t known she needed it. She would never have dared to ask for or demand an apology from Ed. Ruby had already prepared to adjust, even before Ed apologized.“You shouldn’t have to endure all that harshness or pain. I acknowledge it all as foolishness.”Ed extended a hand, noticing the shimmer of Ruby's tears rolling down her cheeks. But he didn’t wipe them away immediately. Before touching, Ed waited to see if Ruby would flin
Time had never moved so slowly for Ruby. Each second seemed to pass more leisurely, giving her longer moments to absorb her surroundings.Her eyes were still darkened, and Ed's hand was still covering them, but Ruby didn't feel blind at all. Her other senses took over, providing intense stimulation and heightening every tickle in her stomach, as well as every nerve ending throughout her body.When he felt her pull away, Ed cupped and held Ruby's head. He knew she wasn’t avoiding him. Ruby wasn't scared, just weak.Ed wouldn't let her pull away. However, he couldn't resist the allure of her delicate lips. Ed wanted every inch of her, and every response from Ruby was like a fire igniting his body. Ruby didn’t reciprocate properly, but instinctively, her lips parted, inviting Ed to explore.Ed kissed those soft, innocent lips, brushing and playfully biting the corners. He inhaled deeply, taking in the warm pheromones she exuded.Ruby felt
“I don’t want to be cruel, but it seems impossible. She doesn’t appear to love you.” Javier gave his honest opinion, smiling apologetically.“If she’s really scared of you, I think it’s unlikely she likes you,” Javier emphasized.Ed glanced briefly. The affirmation stung a little, but he knew Javier was just being honest. "Well, I offered to leave, but she said she'd stay right away. And she didn’t reject me again.”Javier frowned, trying to understand the context. “Oh, you slept together again.” Javier chuckled, amusingly patting his brother's thigh.“Is that why you’re talking about love?” Javier laughed again.“Stop!” Ed hissed. The mocking laughter, regardless of its appearance, annoyed Ed.“Hermano…” (Brother)Javier stifled his laughter and put down his cup. No longer mocking. “I think you already know t
“Gone? What do you mean? Dead?” When Otiz delivered the unpleasant news about Carlos, Ed had just sat down.“No, but someone helped him escape.”Ed immediately frowned. “You’ve been disappointing me a lot lately. Are you sure you still want to live?”“Forgive me, Don Rosas!” Otiz bowed. He didn’t dare lift his head. He didn't defend himself, knowing his mistake was grave.“How could this happen?” Ed asked.“The doctor ordered another CT scan because Carlos had been complaining of a headache since last night—they were worried about a fracture besides the jaw. There were people following him during the CT scan, but he didn’t return. It seems someone was waiting in that room and helped him escape through the window.”Otiz explained it as thoroughly as possible. Very honestly, despite the severe consequences.“Your skills seem to have rus
"What's up?" Lori inquired, puzzled by Ruby's sudden stop."Nothing. Come on, let's just go to the beach." Ruby pushed Lori out through the side gate, and Lori's suspicion vanished.Ruby had never been to the beach near that house, so she just followed Lori, who kept talking about clothes. But Ruby wasn't listening at all because she was busy thinking about what Lori had just mentioned."Oh, I want to ask about this," Lori said. "While I remember. Where did you get it?"Lori turned and held up her phone, showing a photo from social media. Ruby nearly choked in shock. She felt like she was in a bad horror movie, staring at someone who should be her but knew it wasn't.The photo showed a woman who looked almost exactly like herself. The real Lizeth Ramos. The hair, eyes, and overall appearance were all the same. The hair was the only slight difference. Slightly curly, but the same length.But Ruby had never worn a dress like that. The ki
Esli read the message and frowned. It was from Ruby. It wasn’t like her to send a message first. The message asked him to call her.“How bold. Just like her mother,” he muttered. Esli pressed the call button. “What do you want?”“Tell Liz to stop posting photos!” Ruby immediately yelled in a panic.“What are you talking about?” Esli didn’t understand.“Photos! Liz is posting photos from who knows where on social media. Ed will see them! He’ll start wondering how I can be in two places at once.”“Damn it!” Esli cursed. He grabbed his laptop and opened social media—something he had never done before and never thought of doing.“You need to tell Liz to delete everything,” Ruby repeated.Esli groaned. It was already hard enough managing Liz. But Ruby was right; Esli had seen Liz’s posts.“Do your job properly and
Ruby tightened the knot at the bottom of her shirt, ensuring that the bikini underneath wasn't visible and the fabric covering her waist didn't slip.It was difficult because Ruby was running until she finally arrived in front of Javier's room. She took a deep breath and knocked on Javier's door as hard as she could.“Javier! Help me!” Ruby shouted as panickedly as possible, and of course, the door immediately opened.“Liz? What's wrong?” Javier was instantly panicked, too.“It's Lori! She's drowning. I pulled her out, but she's not breathing!” Ruby pointed towards the sea.“Where?” Javier ran out of light speed.“Over there!” Ruby pointed to a body in the distance, lying still on the sand near the waves.Javier immediately ran down the beach, now nearly dark, with Ruby behind him.Javier's chapel was separate from the house but still shared the same coastline.