"I don't want you to get your hopes up too much. When her memory isn't perfect, my mom can be a bit difficult to talk to," Ruby warned Ed as they parked the car.
Ed nodded. "I understand."
Ed had no experience meeting someone with Alzheimer's disease, but he knew enough about the condition.
"Come on, hurry!" AJ was enthusiastic, as usual, and pulled his mom and Ed by the hand.
"Slow down, AJ. You'll spill the coffee." Ruby, of course, had brought some food for Grace.
"I'll take it." Ed finally took the coffee, holding it more steadily.
"You're really excited to meet her," Ed said, ruffling AJ's hair and trying to calm his excitement.
"Yeah, Abuela is nice. Even if she doesn't remember who I am, she's nice." AJ never voiced any complaints about the situation because Jade, despite her memory loss, had never been mean to her.
"My mom never felt the need to be harsh with children. Grace says it's instinct," Ruby explained again to
“MAMA!” Ruby pulled her mother's wheelchair back instantly, while Ed wiped his face, his eyes squinting—stinging from the juice that had hit them directly.“Daddy, here.” AJ approached with tissues for him, then led Ed away. AJ seemed accustomed to Jade's sudden changes in behavior. He stepped back while his mother calmed down.“Mama, what’s wrong?” Ruby stroked her mother’s shoulder, which was moving and heaving with anger. She continued to glare at Ed with hatred in her eyes.“Tell him I’m not coming back! I won’t give up, Ruby!” Jade grabbed Ruby’s hand on her shoulder and pulled her closer.“Where is Gemma? Have you seen her? Bring her here! We’re leaving!” Jade began wheeling herself toward the door.“Mama, who is Gemma?” Ruby had never heard that name before.“Gemma! Your sister! Hurry! They’ll be here any minut
Ed released his embrace and stroked Ruby's head. He had come to Ruby's room with that purpose. He knew Ruby would be anxious.“Gemma... there's no doubt she's your sister. Just look at her name,” said Ed.“Hm?”“Gemma—it means a precious gem. It bears similarities to both your name and your mother's name, Jade. That name was chosen specifically. But it’s too early to conclude whether this Gemma is Liz. We need to ask your mother for more clarity.” Ed wanted Ruby to avoid making hasty assumptions.“I... Before this, I hadn't heard a single word about Gemma. Not even once. Why all of a sudden…” Ruby shook her head, unable to comprehend.“Because of Guadalajara. Have you ever discussed that city with your mother?” Ed asked.Ruby shook her head. “Not any city. Mom never allowed me to leave Veracruz. All my life, she urged me not to leave that city. I never went far. I only realized on our wedding day that I could get car sick—because that was the first time I traveled far.”Because her mo
“What do you mean you don’t know? How long has this house been empty?!” Esli was slightly agitated because Liz’s answers so far had been unsatisfactory. 'I don't know' had come up five times, but Liz didn't feel guilty.“Dad, I really don’t know! What am I supposed to tell you? Ed hasn’t come home for a long time. It’s been months!” Liz, who was lying by the pool, took off her sunglasses and stood up to face her father, annoyed at being disturbed. She wanted to enjoy her relaxing time.“He’s your husband! At the very least, you should know where he is, Liz. I was not angry with you when you didn’t sleep with Ed, but at least you should know where he is when I need him.” Esli shouted."You didn't say anything before, and now you suddenly come and demand that I do something! Don’t be ridiculous!” Liz retorted.“You haven’t done anything as Ed’s wife for years! Do you know how much money I spent covering up all of your craziness? Do you know how much money I've spent on paying off all th
“I want that one. One more.” AJ pointed to another flavor of gelato.“Isn’t this enough?” Ed gestured to AJ’s already full cup. It had three flavors and would overflow if AJ asked for another.“No, it’s for Mommy. This flavor. Coffee and chocolate.” AJ wasn’t thinking about himself.“Oh, okay.” Ed smiled and ordered a new portion.“Two more.” Ed didn’t order just one.“Who’s the other for?” AJ was now confused.“For me.” Ed moved AJ aside, paid for all the orders, and then held his hand as they walked out. The paper bag containing the gelato cups was in his left hand.“But you said you don’t like sweets.” AJ leapt over a puddle as they walked back to ADDF's main building.“I also want to eat with you.” Ed didn’t want to be left out.“Is Mommy still crying?” AJ asked again, his face turning red.“I don’t think so.” Ed wasn’t brave enough to bear the truth.Ed had left Ruby earlier, at her request. She had cried after hearing what Jade said, and naturally, AJ wanted to cry too. With a h
"Daddy, is Mommy sick again?" AJ asked, clutching his blanket, worried."No. She's just tired. For the next few days until we return to Zurich, I'll be with you when you go to sleep. Don't you like that?" Ed squinted his eyes."I do!" AJ laughed softly.He didn't mind, but he would certainly ask for a reason for the change. He didn't protest when Ed took him to his room; he only asked after Ed finished reading him a book."Go to sleep now; I'll turn off the light." Ed got off the bed, but his hand was held back as AJ grabbed his arm."Can I give you a hug?"A smile formed easily, warmth spreading all the way to his toes. Ed was too happy."Of course." Ed bent down and let AJ wrap his arms around his neck."Thank you. You're helping Mommy." AJ didn't know exactly how, but he knew Ruby hadn't really done anything since they returned from visiting Jade.Even at dinner—Ed ordered pizza—Ruby just sat there blankly, while Ed got the plates, forks, and everything else. AJ knew he was still a
Ruby closed her eyes. Ruby wasn't surprised, as she knew Ed struggled with forgiveness. How could Ed forgive when Ruby herself found it so difficult to forgive them?But Ruby didn't want them dead. Before learning about these facts, Ruby had an idea of Esli's fate and ignored it. She knew Ed would be cruel, so she let it be. She neither supported nor forbade it. Ruby was upset at Esli, but he left his fate to Ed. Ruby had been too busy thinking about her own uncertain fate yesterday.But Ruby couldn't wash her hands of it anymore."I've mostly prepared some things for Esli, but... if you forbid it, I won't do it."Ruby was startled, straightening up and looking at Ed, who reached out to caress her cheek."I'm angry. I hate him. He tried to kill me, deceive me, and so on. But I won't do anything that will make you regret or hurt."Ruby thought her tears were dried up, but not for Ed. Her tears welled up with gratitude at that promise."I won't spread poison for you—I won't taint your g
"New York? America?" To confirm, Esli repeated the city's name."Yes, Senor. Mendez nodded. "Don Rosas is there to take care of 'business'." This matter was not a secret. It was well-known among those close to Ed."Is he still there now?" Esli asked again."Not anymore. But he did stay longer than planned. There was some trouble, and a few people died. I don’t know exactly what happened yet, but I’m looking into it." Mendez had only found part of the information. It was difficult to uncover what Ed was actually doing in New York."Why did he stay there longer? If they know he's there, the DEA* will hunt him down." Esli was puzzled.Ed shouldn't stay in an American city for too long—two or three days was fine, but more than that was asking for trouble. Ed's biggest enemy was the DEA. Ed was safe in Mexico, but not in America.Esli knew Ed would have taken precautions—maybe using a fake identity or something else—but there was still a chance his presence could be discovered.Ed didn't h
"What is that?" Ed pointed towards the swimming pool at his house, noticing a strange object that wasn't there before.A yellow balloon stake floated on the surface, with a basket on top—like a mini basketball hoop."Uh… Senor… Liz had a party here a few days ago. That’s probably some leftover decoration." Otiz still struggled to refer to Liz properly.Ed sighed deeply, realizing that the noise he heard when calling Liz was indeed coming from his own house."Refer to her as you normally do when you're with her. Don't let Liz get suspicious." Ed warned."I understand." Otiz apologized with a bow."Get rid of that." Ed pointed at the peculiar object, then continued walking. Ed was inspecting his house in Puerto Vallarta, which he hadn't visited for who knows how long.Ed ignored Liz's presence and avoided the place. Now, Ed no longer needed to feel reluctant, avoidant, or hurt by anything Liz said.However, the consequences of that neglect were clear. The yellow stake in the pool was no