“What the…” Liz looked up and gasped. She hadn't realized Ed had arrived; she had only noticed him.
“What are you doing here?” Liz snapped with a trembling voice.
“I’m asking! Who could have done this?” Ed hissed, eager to get an answer.
“What do you mean, who?! He… he…” Liz couldn’t hold back her grief and began sobbing again.
But Ed understood. Liz thought the suicide was real. Her thinking was simple. Esli hadn’t involved Liz too deeply in his dark world. Liz was cunning, but she hadn’t been tainted by it.
“If anyone… it’s you who killed him! You’re the one who made him lose…” Liz stood up and tried to be frustrated at Ed but collapsed again, too weak to stand.
"Do you expect me to remain quiet and accept it after everything you've done?” Ed scoffed.
“So you were the one who killed him then!
“Mommy is sleeping, AJ. Later, okay?”Tita tried to persuade AJ, who was insisting on entering Ruby’s room. He had just come home and was looking for Ruby, whom he hadn’t seen that morning. Tita promised to check on Ruby later, as she was still asleep.“But I want to see Mommy!” AJ insisted, trying to pull away from Tita’s grasp.“Later, AJ. Let Mommy rest first. Tita coaxed, "You can see her afterward."“But I want to...”“QUIET!”AJ’s words were cut off by Mia’s shout as she appeared from the hallway where her room was located.“Can’t you just be calm for one day?!” Mia snapped.“AJ, let’s go to the kitchen. I’ll make you some cookies.” Tita quickly tried to pull AJ away from Mia. Every time Mia approached AJ, Tita would attempt to pull him away.“I want to see Mommy! Mommy is sick. Have y
“Daddy!” AJ came running down without needing to be told, and he immediately rushed to hug Ed.“Daddy, I'm going to have a sibling; Mommy said so! I don’t need to borrow one from Derian!”AJ announced this with a tone of triumph.“Wow! That’s awesome. You seem really excited.” Ed also looked relieved. He had rushed home, ready to help convince AJ if he reacted negatively. But that assumption was clearly wrong.“I’m going to play hide and seek with the baby like we did at school today. Mommy, when is the baby coming? Is it tomorrow?”AJ slowed down a bit, realizing he didn't know the specifics but still thinking that a sibling would arrive like a package delivered by a courier.“Not that quickly, AJ. It’ll be about seven more months before the baby arrives,” Ed said, holding back a chuckle. He picked AJ up and carried him back to bed.AJ immediately flo
"Sorry, I can't let you get any closer right now." Ed took Ruby's hand and pulled her back behind the tree shade. Ed didn't want Ruby to be seen, even a little bit."Oh, right." Ruby hadn't realized she had stepped too far. She didn't mean to reveal herself while peeking earlier."It's over. They might leave soon." Ed glanced at the group of reporters covering Esli's funeral. The gathering was not large, yet it exceeded ten people.Ed didn't want to appear before the reporters, and he certainly wouldn't allow Ruby to show up either. They would write a new story if they saw Ruby, who looked so much like Liz.That's why they could only wait behind the large oak tree during the funeral. Waiting for things to quiet down.But even from a distance, Ed had noted who attended the funeral. Some kept their distance—like when he saw the reporters—but others stood by the grave until the ceremony was over.Ed recognized some guests he had met
"I haven't told Mom anything yet, so... it would be better if you don't bring up the funeral or anything else."Ruby spoke as they reached the EJF (El Jade Foundation) grounds. Liz had taken a different car, so Ruby hadn't been able to discuss anything else regarding her mother.“Is this a hospital?” Liz looked around, both amazed and confused.EJF is quite different now, of course. The foundation was functioning properly. Its patients weren't just Jade but also other Alzheimer’s sufferers in the country. Since it was the first of its kind, news of its existence spread quickly, and many people transferred their family members there. It wasn’t long before the foundation became quite busy.“Almost, but not entirely a hospital.” As they walked toward the elevator, Ruby pointed at the large lettering on the wall behind the reception. Her mother’s room was on the third floor."El Jade Foundation. Alzheimer Cente
"Mama!" Ruby rushed to hug her mother. Anything to stop her from screaming."Mama, it's gone. Calm down," Ruby coaxed, trying to hold back Jade's frantic movements."But... You're Ruby... Gemma!? Where are you?! Gemma!" Jade spun around in panic, searching."Your sister! Where is she?! Find her, Ruby! Don’t get separated!" Jade cried out, her voice filled with unmistakable desperation."Mama, calm down. Gemma...""I'm here." Liz, who had been watching in confusion, finally spoke up as she slowly approached. Her face was pale, and she trembled slightly from shock, but she stepped forward."I'm here," Liz repeated more firmly. Jade turned her eyes, refocusing."Gemma..." Jade's voice was hoarse, full of disbelief, and then she turned to look at Ruby."I'm Ruby," Ruby clarified, emphasizing that there were two of them, not just one."Gemma..." Jade's voice broke into sobs. Her hand reached out toward Liz, trying to step for
Jade never once mentioned Gemma, Esli, or anyone else, but Ruby had seen Jade cry for them.Tears used to be a mystery to Ruby. She didn’t understand what made her mother sob like that without reason. Ruby wanted to comfort her, but she didn’t know how. She didn’t know the cause back then.It turns out those tears were for Gemma, a guilt that her mother felt for reasons unknown. Her mother regretted that they had been separated. Ruby wished Liz would understand more and give her mother some breathing space.“You’re stupid!” Liz wiped her own tear-stained cheek, then turned and walked away.Ruby didn’t chase after her; letting her go was for the best. She knew their argument would only escalate if they kept staring at each other. They both needed to calm down.“Ruby, sit down.” The gentle touch and pat on Ruby's back quickly soothed her. Ruby's breathing slowly became more regular. With Ed's help
"Where are we going, Mommy?" AJ didn't recognize the area they had come to with Ruby.Ruby was unfamiliar with it too, but Otiz confidently led the way ahead of them. Since only Otiz knew the way, he had been their guide. They were in one of Guadalajara's large malls."Mommy wants to take you to meet someone." Ruby gently stroked AJ's head, trying to calm herself. She wasn’t sure if meeting Liz was a beneficial idea, but she had to. She needed to bring AJ to meet Jade today. Ruby was prepared in case Jade asked for Gemma again.Ruby knew she had to meet Liz in person to persuade her. There was no way Liz would come willingly after their argument yesterday."Who?" AJ inquired, holding Ruby's hand tightly to avoid getting separated in the crowded mall."Mommy has a sister, and I want you to meet her," Ruby explained."What?!" AJ was, of course, shocked. This was the first time he had heard about it."Does she live here?" AJ looked
"Sorry, how can I help?” A woman with thick glasses and neatly tied hair appeared, looking at the three people caught up in the drama.“Are you incompetent at managing the store? Your employee hit me!” The friend, who had previously been pushed, raised her hand.“Oh my gosh! Liz, is this true?” The manager looked at Liz, who was still clenching her fists by her sides.“She touched me first!” Liz hissed, trying to defend herself.“We were just pointing out that her hair was a bit messy. The store's standards are very high; you can’t have an employee looking unkempt, right? I was just reminding her for her own good. She shouldn't be offended.” Liz’s friend continued playing the victim, and unfortunately, the manager believed her.“Liz, I’ve been very lenient with you because many customers like your style recommendations, but I can’t tolerate this forever! You can&rsq
“Such chaos,” Liz lamented as she watched the crowd of rowdy children, who had become the main guests at her wedding.“Yeah, I didn’t expect it to get this wild either.” Ruby sat beside her, watching AJ hand out chocolate-covered strawberries to the other kids.He wasn’t alone—Claud, Val's second child, was helping him. They eventually grew close, even though their conversations were sometimes limited because Claud was more fluent in Italian than English. Still, they got along well enough.“How did it all start?” Ed frowned.“I don’t know.” Ruby was also unsure.“Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed when AJ asked.” Liz deeply regretted it.Somehow, AJ had convinced Liz to provide a chocolate fountain for her wedding, and it had become the source of chaos. The younger children were enjoying it, but soon chocolate stains appeared on the white tablecloths, as wel
"Do I have to? I already checked that document yesterday. Can’t you do it instead?" When Ed saw another email from Otiz, he complained.It was a financial report. Since Matteo had spread his investments in every direction—across more or less thirty companies—the financial reports Otiz received came from all directions, across different types of businesses. Ed hadn't anticipated this.Being an investor wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed. He still had to work.“You’re the one who has to check it. I’m just the middleman,” Otiz firmly refused.He could refuse because the request was made over the phone. Perhaps if they were face-to-face, Otiz would be more compliant. He was no longer blindly following Ed's orders, carefully sorting out what should and should not be done. He was only responsible for delivering financial reports, not reviewing them.Ed grumbled. He was quite used to reviewing company pa
"‘What do you want to show me?’ As she approached Ed, Ruby inquired.She left AJ's side; he was busy reading a story to his two younger siblings. Elena and Elisa sat quietly, either really listening or getting sleepy. It was already time for their afternoon nap."Read this," Ed shifted, making room for Ruby to sit beside him, and handed her a phone displaying an article in Spanish. Less than two hours had passed since the publication of this hot news story.Ruby didn’t pay attention to that, though, because she was immediately stunned by the headline.‘DEA ARRESTS MAJOR MEXICAN CARTEL AND EXPOSES BILLION-DOLLAR BUSINESS NETWORK’"What... you...?" Ruby turned pale and panicked, of course."Read it to the end," Ed said, pointing to the rest of the text that she had not yet seen.Ruby read quickly and frowned. There was no mention of Ed or Rosas anywhere. Only Reyes. Marco Reyes. He was the story's
Two black vans speed down a deserted road. It was already nighttime, and they were the only ones there. The end of the road was in sight—a black iron gate.“Ram it!”A shout rang out, and the vans didn’t slow down. The passengers inside, all dressed in black, held on tight as a deafening crash echoed.The gate fell, bent, but opened. The two vans barged through and stopped right in front of the brightly lit house.“Get in and kill everyone!”Another shout, and the people inside the vans scrambled out, storming into the beachside house. Some were carrying firearms; others were wielding clubs.However, as they entered, everyone froze. No one came to greet them. The house was supposed to be full of guards, which was why they had come in numbers—ready for a confrontation.In reality, what greeted them was silence. Not a single person appeared, even though the house was brightly lit.“
"AJ, don't make Abuela tired!" Ruby reprimanded AJ for running away with something, while Mia pursued him.But it was impossible to make AJ stop, especially since his younger siblings were laughing joyfully at his antics. Elisa and Elena had just learned to walk, and they happily followed him around.AJ couldn't stop when he had such an audience. Mia seemed to be scolding him, but everyone knew Mia could never really be upset at AJ.Ruby had to step in, followed by Ed to watch over Elisa and Elena. Although falling on the sand wouldn't hurt, the beach had sharp rocks that could scrape them."Mommy! They should chase me! Don't pick them up!" AJ didn’t want his little sisters to be carried away and stop the fun."Alright," Ruby said, intending to supervise them closely."How about we take a vacation?" Ed abruptly proposed the idea, having just finished reading a message on his phone."Hm?" Ruby was surprised. There had been no suc
"Here."Ed gave Otiz a handkerchief to wipe away his tears. If it had been just a few, he would have let Otiz cry—and wiped the tears with the sleeve of his jacket.The problem was that Otiz couldn’t stop crying. He had already been emotional when Ed stood beside him at the altar, and it got worse when he saw Lori walking down the aisle, escorted by flowers. It was all too beautiful and dazzling for his eyes.“Sorry,” Otiz stammered, wiping the remaining tears from his face.“What are you apologizing for? At a wedding, shedding tears is not considered inappropriate. You're just too happy. No one will blame you.” Ed gently patted Otiz’s shoulder and then turned his gaze forward.Of course, Lori was the focus of the event. Her choice of dress was perfect, blending seamlessly with the entire garden decor. Flowers, ribbons, music, and all the other elements were carefully and precisely chosen—now showcasi
Ed tapped his finger on the glass in his hand. His eyes were fixed on a single point—Marco Reyes.The man was speaking with Otiz. Nothing important. Marco was just making small talk, and Otiz was doing the same—being polite, answering Marco's questions about his law firm's progress. Ed actually needed to speak to both of them, but he chose to start with Marco first.Ed just needed to gesture with his chin, and Otiz understood immediately. He excused himself, making up a reason, and left Marco alone."I need to talk to you," Ed said as he approached."Oh? What is it?" Marco immediately followed Ed, moving to the quiet side yard. The other guests filled the living room."I want you to handle the shipment to Ecuador and Brazil next week."Marco looked as if he had choked. This was incredibly surprising. Ed had never let him touch the South American market before. Ed had always handled it himself. Marco had only been managing North A
"Mommy, I want to try! You be Elena, and I'll be Elisa."AJ reached out his hand, asking for the milk bottle from Ruby. He wanted to try feeding the babies—and he chose Elisa.Usually, Tita was around to help Ruby, but today Tita was busy, so Ruby had been on her own since earlier."You can, but please be careful, okay? Don’t let her choke, and don’t squeeze." Ruby guided AJ's hand to hold the bottle filled with pre-warmed breast milk, helping him apply just the right pressure so it wouldn't press too hard against Elisa's lips."Wow! Look, Mommy! She's drinking!" AJ exclaimed happily, eyes sparkling with joy. This was the first time he was directly involved—doing something for his little sister. AJ usually watched, but at first he was afraid to hold the babies. He would look in awe but wouldn’t dare touch them.“See? It’s not a big deal, right? You don’t have to be scared anymore.”&l
From their disheveled appearance, it was clear that Liz and Asher had either just rushed out of a room or possibly run over here. One thing was certain: as soon as they heard the news about Ruby, they had hurried over."Where? Ruby... You're pale. Why... It shouldn't be happening now."Just like Lori, Liz was out of breath as she approached Ruby, panicking. The news had shocked everyone. Liz had already planned to stay in Puerto Vallarta next week to be there for Ruby when she gave birth.Of course, Liz no longer lived at Ed’s house. She had managed to buy her own apartment.“I’m fine, and they’re fine too. But the nurse hasn’t brought them here yet. Calm down… breathe.”Ruby was already able to speak clearly and now had to calm Liz down. She was the one lying down, barely conscious, yet had to reassure everyone else."Are you really okay? No problems? Any complications?" Liz touched Ruby’s bo