"We don't do..."
"Did I tell you to hurt her?!" Ed shouted, still glaring at the two of them.
"You're the one who harmed her! Ruby hasn't eaten or slept for days!" Lori snapped back. She wasn't any less afraid, but she was exasperated by Ed's unclear anger. He had already driven Ruby away, so it was strange to see Ed frustrated now that Ruby had fainted.
"I didn't…" Ed's desire to argue vanished instantly. He lost interest because he could feel that Ruby's body was very warm, despite the rain soaking her.
"Ruby?" Ed tapped her cheek, and Ruby did not respond at all.
"I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT!" When Otiz saw Ed trying to lift Ruby's body, he shouted and ran toward him. It wasn’t that Ed couldn’t do it, but he shouldn't be lifting any weight yet.
"Don't touch her." Ed hissed and lifted Ruby himself. His waist stung, but Ed just gritted his teeth. He carried Ruby inside, and fortunately, it wasn’t far.
They were in a
“Eat. You have to eat. I won’t let you see AJ until you’ve eaten.” Lori didn’t budge and continued holding the bowl of thin porridge sprinkled with minced meat and scallions in front of Ruby’s nose.This was her third attempt to persuade Ruby to eat. Lori had backed down twice, but not this time.“I want to know how AJ is doing.” Ruby insisted on getting up to see AJ.“Listen, Ruby. First, Ed might not even allow it, and second, you’re sick. Would you like to see him in this condition? AJ is also sick, and you want him to see you like this? Your fever hasn’t even gone down yet!”Lori pressed Ruby’s forehead slightly. In addition to taking Ruby's temperature, Lori also gently pushed her back to ensure a peaceful eating experience.“Eat. Your fever won’t go down if you don’t eat.” Lori lifted a spoonful and brought it to Ruby’s lips. Her eyes n
“Today is much better. According to the doctor, after Senora Herrera stopped refusing to eat, her condition improved dramatically. She is not yet allowed to get out of bed, though. Still in the process of recovery,” Otiz reported in detail, without being asked.But Ed heard everything, so the report was not in vain. Ed would have ordered him to shut up if he didn't want to hear it.“Should I ask her to leave once she’s healthy enough?” Otiz asked. Because Ruby's condition had changed, he needed to update the order.But Ed had not changed. He still didn’t know what to do.“I will wait for your decision.” Otiz finally took his leave after waiting in vain.“Hey, Otiz.” When he turned around, Otiz was greeted sweetly by AJ, who had just opened her eyes.“Hello, AJ. You look fresh.” Otiz raised his hand, and AJ slapped it.“Ow! That hurt. You have such a strong h
"Where are we going?" AJ inquired, carefully placing his hand, still connected to the IV, on the wheelchair's armrest. Ed had just picked him up and transferred him to the chair."A surprise." Ed adjusted AJ's hair, smiling."I love surprises!" AJ clapped his hands softly."Take it easy. Don't jump around. Remember what the doctor said." To prevent him from overdoing it, Ed tempered AJ's enthusiasm."Hm..." AJ muttered and nodded casually. He was worn out from hearing the rules and eager to leave his room. This was the first time he was allowed out of his room since the transplant procedure."We're going out." Ed pushed AJ's wheelchair. Their destination was not far, but a surprise awaited them in the front room, where the commotion had been four days ago."Are we going for a walk or... Oh, MOMMY!"AJ shouted, nearly making Ed lose his grip, but Ruby, quick to understand how AJ would move, immediately raised her hand, stopping him from getting down, even though she also couldn’t wait
“That's great! This is a fantastic opportunity!” Lori exclaimed, excitedly slapping Ruby's thigh.“What do you mean, great? Aren't you listening to me?” Ruby was annoyed. She had just explained how she was in a difficult position with Ed.Ruby felt relieved to finally meet AJ, but it was definitely unpleasant to have to see Ed every time, who was not friendly at all. Ruby hoped for sympathy, not Lori's cheerful shouts.“You're too stiff! Look at it from a different angle. Being close to Ed means he can't avoid you. You can freely woo him again! Don't you realize that?” Lori clicked her tongue in exasperation.“But I don't want to woo him!” Ruby shook her head, sighing.“Don't you want to make peace with him?” Lori frowned."Yes—at least for AJ's sake, but I'm unsure if wooing is the right approach. I don't want Ed to misunderstand and think I'm chasing him again. Ed will get frustrated and think I'm presumptuous and rude.” Ruby didn't want to complicate matters.Ed was already difficu
"Se... Señora Lizeth?" Tita stammered, stepping back from Ruby, who had just been about to greet her. Ruby was already smiling.Upon seeing Tita's lack of warmth and even fear, Ruby knew Liz must have treated her very poorly."No, this is my mom," AJ responded, his mouth still full of omelets."What?" Tita was understandably more confused."You called her Lizeth, but this is my mom. Not Lizeth. Her name is Ruby," AJ explained smoothly."I didn't...""Simply put, she isn't Lizeth—even though she looks like her. She's Ruby. And AJ's mom. That's all," Ed muttered as he walked past Tita, heading toward AJ.Tita blinks rapidly and looks at Ruby, who is now awkwardly waving at her. Ruby would talk to her again later; maybe explain a bit to clear up any misunderstanding."Do you want something else to eat? The doctor said you can eat anything now, just not in excess," Ed said, still not looking at Ruby, only ruffling AJ's hair.
Ruby did want to follow Lori's advice, but it was not as drastic as living under the same roof as Ed.“AJ, I won’t live in that house. Mommy will stay somewhere else.” Ruby didn’t have a plan yet, but she was considering finding a cheap homestay or Airbnb since she would be staying for months.“Why not? I’ll be there. Beast will be there too. The house is big, and there are many rooms.” AJ refused to accept her decision.“You can be there, but I can’t.” Ruby shook her head, glancing at Ed, who remained silent, his disapproval apparent in his narrowed eyes.“But why?” AJ frowned, the signs of disappointment clear on his face.“That house... it’s not our home. Mommy can’t stay in someone else’s house for a long time.” Ruby fiddled nervously with her phone on the table."But... Beast said I could stay there." AJ lowered his head, putting down h
AJ wasn't exaggerating when he said the house was beautiful. Situated by a large lake, it had a unique charm. The soothing blue view was a stark contrast to what AJ usually saw in New York. That alone was enough to make him ecstatic.The two-story white house with a blue triangular roof was designed for relaxation, as Ruby noticed a hammock, swing, sand pit, barbecue area, and even a small tent right by the lake to ensure its residents could enjoy a variety of vacation experiences."Mommy, come here." AJ, still slightly hunched due to the wounds on his back, pulled Ruby towards the stairs."I'll carry you." Ruby extended her hand. Climbing stairs was still too much for AJ."I want a room upstairs too, but Ed said no." AJ sounded like he was complaining and hugging Ruby."That's right. You're not allowed to go up and down the stairs yet." Ruby fully agreed.AJ pouted immediately. Apparently, it didn't work. AJ must have learned that his mothe
“What do you think I would do to her?” Ed asked again with a frown.“I’m the one asking! Why did you bring my mom into this?!” Ruby couldn’t help but panic. She could take any insult or anger from Ed, but she wouldn’t stand for anything involving her mother.“My mom doesn’t know anything about this. She’s sick and...”“Mommy, why are you upset at Beast?” AJ tugged on Ruby’s hand, looking confused.“Otiz.” Ed called out to Otiz, who immediately crouched down in front of AJ."Hey, did you know that Tita claimed to have discovered a basement? How about we go check it out now?” Otiz was coaxing.“Basement? Is it dark?” AJ was interested but still hesitant."No, but you'll find plenty of cheese." How about it?” Otis extended his hand, and AJ took it.“Let’s go.” Otis picked up AJ and quickly moved