Ruby jolted when AJ’s hospital room door suddenly opened, but she immediately felt relieved when she saw Ed entering with Otiz.“You came…” Ruby almost smiled, but it faded quickly as Ed didn’t even look at her. He simply walked past and went straight to AJ's bed. The child was fast asleep.The taxi Ruby took managed to follow Ed’s taxi, so she knew Ed was at the hospital. She just didn’t know where exactly. She had gone back to AJ, hoping Ed would be in AJ’s room. Ruby panicked when she saw Ed wasn’t there, but decided to wait. It was the right decision, and Ed eventually came—though he treated her like she was invisible.“Ed, I…”Ruby fell silent. The look in Ed's eyes silenced her. His lips didn’t need to open or speak; Ruby could interpret that look. Ed wasn't there to hear anything. He was there for AJ, not for Ruby.“Don Rosas will undergo tests to confirm compatibility as a donor,” Otiz explained.“Oh…” Ruby closed her mouth, wanting to smile but knowing it wouldn’t be appropri
"WUAAA! It’s huge!"AJ shouted with excitement. His eyes widened as much as possible, as if trying to match the size of the dinosaur fossil in front of him. The ancient bones that formed the prehistoric creature's figure were certainly astonishing to AJ.The Saurier Museum is Zurich, Switzerland's most complete fossil and replica collection. It was a special visit, chosen by Ed to cheer AJ up.But they weren't in Switzerland just to visit the museum. The country supposedly has the best healthcare facilities. Ed was interested in that, so he arranged for AJ to be treated there.“That’s the biggest thing I’ve ever seen!” AJ shouted again.If not for his aching leg—and Ed holding his shoulder to keep him seated in the wheelchair—AJ might have jumped up and touched the display, which was not allowed to be touched.“Fish!” AJ’s attention quickly shifted when he saw the aquarium glass, revealing blue water and swimming fish.Ed pushed AJ’s wheelchair in the direction he pointed, slightly wo
Ruby wiped the sweat from her brow, then took off the coat she had worn during the trip. The humid air and overcast sky were the first to greet her as she set foot in Mexico again after so long.She wore her prepared hat and slowly left the airport. Ruby also wore sunglasses. Her face was completely hidden, as she decided to be cautious.Once she set foot in that country, her life was entirely different. She now finds herself in conflict with two terrifying individuals. If she were discovered, Esli would gladly kill her, as would the others. Ruby still hoped Ed wouldn't kill her outright.At least Ed didn't strangle her immediately at the chapel yesterday. Even though Ed made her wish she was dead by taking AJ, he didn't kill her immediately.Ruby raised her hand to hail a taxi. She was already at Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Airport, in Guadalajara, but hadn't yet figured out how to meet AJ. She wasn’t even sure if AJ was in that city. However, Ruby had to come to find out."Hello?"
“R… Ruby…”Lori needed a few moments to believe it. She did the same with Ed. She touched Ruby’s face until she finally pinched her cheek.“Oh my God! You’re really not Liz?!” Lori squealed.“Shh!” Ruby requested that she not scream, of course.“You’re not Liz?” Lori repeated it more quietly, still pinching Ruby’s cheek.“Does my cheek feel different?” Ruby was surprised when Lori confirmed it by pinching her cheek.“It’s not that! But Liz would slap me if I kept pinching her cheek.” Lori used the easiest way to distinguish the truth from Ruby’s statement.“Oh my God! What kind of magic is this?” Lori was convinced but couldn’t fully accept it yet.“I… I’m sorry, I deceived you before.” Ruby began by apologizing. She had deceived Lori, after all.“Yes, I was very deceived. I understood because you had a miscarriage and Pedro was a jerk, but you got worse than before." Lori shook her head. She also believed that Ruby had changed significantly as a result of losing her baby.“What about
“Ok, thank you so much.” Lori thanked the hospital administrator, who had been answering her questions. They were very cooperative, but unfortunately, the results were not satisfying. AJ was not at the hospital.“There are still six more in this area. The closest one... Ruby? Are you alright?” Lori asked, then stepped back. She had been walking alone, while Ruby had stayed behind on the hospital terrace.“Yeah, I'm just thinking.” Ruby leaned against the hospital wall for a moment, then stood up and walked over.“You look like shit. Sorry, but you’re really pale.” Lori shook her head while touching Ruby’s sunken cheeks.“When was the last time you had a good night's sleep?” Lori asked.“Mm… last night.” Ruby lied, of course. She couldn’t remember the last time she had slept well. Ever since AJ was taken by CPS, Ruby hasn’t been able to sleep soundly.“Really? You didn’t sleep at all on the flight yesterday. You didn’t even eat properly. You barely touched that one croissant.”Lori did
“What... Who?” Ed was confused. They were in Switzerland. There shouldn’t be any disturbances.“That... you’d better meet him yourself.” Otiz bowed his head.“What’s wrong with you? Ugh...” Ed got down from AJ’s bed, half-jumping. He forgot that his body hadn't recovered yet.AJ was not the only one with side effects. Ed’s body wasn’t fully recovered either. His back and hips still ached; he shouldn’t even be active yet. Ed forced himself to do so because he didn't want to leave AJ alone.“Who wants to see me?” Ed hobbled out, grumbling and puzzled. Otiz usually chased away unimportant visitors, and at this moment, Ed considered everyone unimportant.“Over there.” Otiz pointed towards the waiting room, which resembled a living room. Each room in that hospital did indeed look more like an apartment with complete facilities.Ed continued walki
"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