And that joy was instantly tainted. The smile seemed to be swept away by a storm of bad memories seemed to sweep away the smile.
"No, I'm ashamed; I don't want to! You are here, and that's enough!" Jade pulled her hand away, avoiding her and bowing her head.
"There's no need. Gemma!" Jade suddenly jolted and jumped off the bed. She looked at the door in panic.
"Ruby! Lock the door!" She gave the order, then dragged Liz to the corner of the room, instructing her to crouch behind a plant pot.
"Is he coming? Is he going to take you? You have to hide! Don't let him see you!" Jade shouted.
"Who’s coming? No one is going to take me." Liz crouched down but tried to explain.
"Yes, Mama. No one is going to take Gemma away again. She can see you every day." Ruby smiled, trying to counter Jade's panic with cheerfulness.
"No, Ruby! If I don't resist, he'll try to take you too! I couldn’t take Gemma! He will take you too!" Jade hobbled
Ed grabbed the coat from the chair and prepared to leave. The day had just turned to night, but Ed was in a hurry because Otiz had informed him that Ruby's condition didn't look good. This made Ed feel the need to rush home.“Don Rosas!”Ed hadn’t reached the front door when one of his men called out, running toward him.“What is it now? You know I’m going home!” Ed scolded.“Someone wants to meet with you!” the man shouted, panting.“Do you think I want to meet them?!” Ed snapped. He had no appointments and certainly didn’t want to see anyone right now.“But he said you were looking for him.” His subordinate backed away, frightened.“Hm?” Ed was confused.“His name is Mendez.”Ed’s anger dissipated instantly. “Repeat that!” Ed had heard correctly but could hardly believe it.“Mendez. He&rs
"Disgusting demon!" Ed hissed. Before this, he hadn't condemned Esli's 'tastes', but his actions were worthy of contempt. Esli had tied Jade into a marriage solely to conceal his personal preferences. Indeed, Jade was perfect; he had the right name, appeared respectable, and appeared normal."So who is their father?" Ed inquired, feeling somewhat relieved. He knew Ruby would be glad to hear this news. Her father, Esli, was a burden that Ruby never wanted to remember."Hans. Hans Dominguez. He worked for Señor Ramos before me," Mendez replied, still bowing his head."Esli's assistant before you?" Ed confirmed."Yes.""And where is he now?""Dead."The short answer was something Ed had already guessed. Esli wouldn't have let Hans live. The real reason for killing the poor man wasn't out of jealousy; most likely, it was just to protect his reputation."Despicable. He killed the man who was with Jade, yet he never even touch
The man was observing Liz, and of course, Liz was also watching him, trying to map out his face in order to recognize him. Unfortunately, most of it was hidden by a hat. Liz could only see that his hair was very short, almost exposing his scalp, and his body was solid and muscular.“I’m going to call…”A popping sound made Liz stop in her tracks while Jade screamed. There was the sound of a silenced gun being fired. The man in the hat hadn’t come empty-handed. His arm was extended straight, and he hit the nurse call button next to Jade's bed.Liz’s eyes widened, while Jade immediately began trembling violently.However, Jade did something remarkable as the man stepped inside through the sliding door. Jade jumped off the bed and pulled Liz’s arm, hiding her behind her back.“No!” Jade screamed. She fought with all her heart, even though the man continued pointing his gun.“Mom&helli
“Mama… No…” Liz shook her head, her gaze no longer sharp, but the tears couldn't hide the dire state Jade was in. Her breath was ragged, and the color drained from her face quickly.“Gemma… Gemma…” Jade raised her hand, and Liz grabbed it.“Forgive… me…” Jade whispered.“Mama… no…” Liz shook her head, wiping her mother’s cheek with her blood-stained hand.“You’re with Ruby now.” Jade slowly smiled. Those tears might have turned to joy.“Yes, and with you, Mama. The three of us. You have to stay. I’ve just found you.”Liz pressed her cheek against Jade's temple, pleading with her to hold on. But she knew those two gunshots were fatal. The amount of blood pooling around Jade's body was too much.“Forgive me… Forgive me… Gemma…” That was all Jade could remember.
"Are you sure you didn’t do it?" Ed pressed, slightly incredulous.“Oh my God!” Val, on the other end of the call, groaned.“No. I didn’t take a contract to kill Jade Herrera! I’ve checked twice! Do you need to talk to Asher to make sure? But he’s not very friendly, so maybe don’t...”“Who’s Asher?” Ed, who was waiting for the elevator door, stopped moving for a moment, confused."A subordinate I had to wake up to obtain the information you requested—and he cursed me out. But seriously, there’s nothing, okay?” Val complained, clearly feeling the brunt of Ed's question.Ed decided to ask Val again. Jade Herrera wasn’t a name Val should be familiar with. It was disappointing that there were no leads, but assassination requests are viable jobs.“You seem really busy. Who else has died?” Val asked.“My mother-in-law,” Ed
“Daddy!” AJ greeted and ran down the porch as Ed got out of the car.“You didn’t come home? I was looking for you.” AJ complained, as usual.“Sorry, I had something to take care of.” Ed picked AJ up and walked inside.“Where’s Mommy?” Ed asked with a hoarse voice. He was exhausted—he hadn’t closed his eyes all night, and he was anxious.“In the bedroom. She went back to bed after yelling at me to get ready for school.” AJ grinned mischievously, knowing that being carried by Ed didn’t count as getting ready for school.“You don’t need to go to school today. Daddy will talk to the teacher later.”Ed needed every bit of leverage he could muster to help console Ruby. And this was a valid reason. AJ’s grandmother’s passing was a legitimate excuse for missing school.“Huh? I get a day off? And it’s not even the
“What are you talking about?” Ruby tilted her head. It felt like her mind had been shielded, and all of Ed's words were bouncing off, unable to penetrate."Ruby. That man killed her." Ed couldn’t simplify it or make it any less horrifying. There was no way to hide the cause of Jade's death. The event was too big—too close to be covered up.“Ruby, listen to me.” Ed cupped Ruby’s cheeks, forcing her to focus on him. The news was terrifying, but Ruby had to hear it.“This is a ridiculous response, Ed. Are you angry at the joke from earlier? Is this your payback?” Ruby shook her head and smiled.“Don’t use Mom. Come on, try something else.” Ruby waited.“I’m not kidding, Ruby... ” Ed was worried. He saw Ruby smile—a high-level denial.“Which part isn’t a joke? You want me to believe someone came to kill Mom?” Ruby laughed again.
Her face was not much different. Ruby didn't notice anything unusual. Her mother looked like she was just sleeping, even appearing healthier because the lipstick and blush added some extra color.Ruby's hand lifted, trembling but still able to touch the cold cheek. The sensation confirmed that it was all real. Ruby touched the closed eyelids, hoping to see if they were truly still, or if Ed was playing one of his long jokes. This could all be a prank. But that hope was impossible. The eyes remained still.Ruby couldn't wake her, not even by tapping her shoulder hard. Her mother wouldn't wake even if Ruby filled the room with the scent of enchiladas or pears. Not even tea."Ruby." Ed, who had never left her side, caught Ruby's body as she suddenly slumped, relieved that she didn't faint but just curled up from the tightness in her chest.Ed knelt down and gently lifted her back to her place in the front row. Ed carried her to the chapel earlier, so there w