Chapter Sixty

Ruby:

I stared at the picture as if I had seen a ghost—or rather, I wished it was a ghost, because what I was facing was something far worse. The boy's words echoed in my ears, causing my heart to skip multiple beats.

How could this be possible? I searched his face for any trace of deceit, but all I found was a raw vulnerability that mirrored my own.

"You mean she's your mother?" I questioned, my voice barely above a whisper. The boy nodded eagerly, wiping away his tears.

"So, are you going to help me find her?" He asked with a hopeful tone, his eyes pleading for assistance. But before I could even nod or respond, a loud noise jolted me, making me spin around to see Mr. Smith standing at the doorway, his face twisted with anger and disdain.

"You shouldn't be here," he snapped as he strode into the room, his gaze fixated on me.

"You're fired," he declared bluntly, his words hitting me like a ton of bricks. Fired? I couldn't believe it. What had I done to deserve such swift punishment?