“Are you only going to Guadalajara today?” Pedro inquired, making small talk while chewing his breakfast.
“Not really. I’m also going to El Sato. Maybe for a few days.” Ed initially answered casually but then added more for Ruby’s benefit, letting her know he wouldn’t be home for a few days.
But Ruby wasn’t paying attention. She looked down, stirring the green and red salsa that accompanied her huevos divorciados—eggs on a tortilla. She was probably daydreaming.
“Are you still not feeling well? Should I call a doctor?” Ed inquired, mistaking her lack of interest for a medical emergency.
“Uh, no. I’m better now.” Ruby finally snapped out of it and shook her head.
“She’s just being spoiled! She’s only pretending to be weak to get attention.” Of course, Mia provided the sneer.
“Aunt, how long will you keep this up?” Ed immedia
“Are you always this busy?”Ruby winced and stepped back. Her path was blocked by Pedro, the person she least wanted to see at the moment.“Move!” Ruby didn’t want to pretend or think about her plans now. She just wanted Pedro to go as far away as possible.“Hey! Don’t be so harsh.” Pedro reached out to stroke Ruby’s cheek, but she slapped his hand away immediately.“Leave! I don’t have time for you!” Ruby snapped. She was utterly frustrated, and her mind was overflowing with problems.“Huh? This is the perfect time. Didn’t you say you were going to find the right time? This is it. Ed’s not here, and there’s no guarantee he’ll come back.”Ruby frowned. “He will come back.”It was strange hearing Pedro say that. Ed would come back, of course, though it was uncertain when.“Yeah, I mean not today. We can h
"Who sent you a message? You're so diligent. Was it Ed?" Lori, curious, turned to tease."Oh, no. It was... my father." Ruby wanted to say 'the bald bastard,' but she restrained herself. Afterward, though, her tongue felt itchy.Esli had sent a message instructing Ruby to be ready to receive his orders. Esli would soon replace her with the real Liz. Without Ruby needing to convince him, Esli could see that Ed had deeper feelings. Ruby didn't reply to the message, of course."Ah, Esli Ramos. I heard your father is running for mayor. My dad said his path was smooth because many businessmen supported him. You know, politics and money usually go hand in hand. Disgusting, but that's how it is."Lori finally shifted her gaze from the car window and looked at Ruby."My dad suggested that your marriage resembles a political union because of Ed's support for your father, but I disagreed. You two seem pretty affectionate." Lori gave her own assessment, and honestly, Ruby felt a bit pleased, tho
"It's very unusual."Angelo had politely refrained from complaining when Ruby asked him to meet outside the hospital, but when he had to reluctantly draw Ruby's blood in an open space, he certainly did complain. Still polite, though. Ed's old chokehold grip still made him wary of any member of the Rosas family."Once again, I'm sorry." Ruby nodded her head with deep regret. This was the umpteenth time she had apologized. "I didn't know who else to ask for help," Ruby said."I don't want to interfere, but from experience, it would be better if you're honest about everything—I mean, about the test results. There's no need to keep it a secret," Angelo said while releasing the tourniquet from Ruby's upper arm and continuing to press on the puncture site at her inner elbow.The alcohol swab felt cold on Ruby's skin as she continued to stare at it. Ruby couldn't promise to follow Angelo's suggestion."It's not that easy," Ruby murmured."Of course it's not easy, but I'm sure Don Rosas will
“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,