After dinner, Milo and Karl were in the kitchen, washing the dishes together, bickering over who was doing a better job. Adrian was busy with something else.
Meanwhile, Julian silently stood up, making his way toward his room.
Ruby’s eyes followed his retreating figure.
She took a deep breath and called out, "Julian..."
He halted for a second, but before he could continue walking, she reached out and caught his wrist.
"Hmm," he replied dryly, his tone devoid of warmth as he immediately tried to pull his hand free, as if her touch was disgusting.
Ruby’s grip tightened slightly, her hesitation clear. "You... what happened to you?"
Julian let out a short, bitter laugh, his jaw clenching. "You’re really asking me that? After everything you’ve done?"
His voice was sharp, like a blade cutting through the air.
Ruby frowned. "What do you mean?"
Julian bit his lower lip, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His hands curled into fists, and for the first time, his usually calm and unreadable expression cracked—anger, pain, and something deeper swirled in his teary green eyes.
"What do I mean?" he whispered, voice shaking before rising with anger. "What do I mean—when you... when you..."
His throat tightened.
His emotions were spiraling out of control.
"When I what?" Ruby pressed, her brows furrowing as she searched his face, trying to understand.
Julian took a sharp breath, his lips trembling.
"When you betrayed me," he finally choked out.
"What the heck, Julian!" Ruby shouted in disbelief, her eyes burning with frustration. "When did I betray you? Tell me!"
Julian’s anger flared, his emotions spilling over. "I saw it with my own eyes!" he shouted back. "You and that unfamiliar ghost in the same bed... You love him! That’s why you don’t even touch us or give a damn—mmph!"
His words were cut off when Ruby suddenly shoved him against the wall.
His eyes widened in shock.
Her face was inches from his, her nose almost touching his. He could feel her breath against his lips, see the fire in her eyes dangerous and sharp.
"Karl was right... That shithead did something," Ruby murmured, a slow, almost wicked smile spreading across her lips as she stared him down.
Julian swallowed hard, his body stiff.
"What do you mean?" His voice was quieter now, almost hesitant. She was too close. Too damn close. Even if he didn’t want to feel anything, his body betrayed him, his heart racing at the proximity.
"You really thought I betrayed you?" Ruby’s voice dropped to a low, slow whisper. "How is that possible... when I was drugged and trying to escape?"
Julian’s breath caught.
His entire world tilted for a second.
His mind reeled. She wasn’t in that bed willingly? She hadn’t chosen that ghost?
But then... but then why...?
"But still..." His voice cracked, his heart twisting painfully. He shouldn’t have believed it so easily, but the image haunted him. "You still... you touched someone else..." His voice was barely above a whisper, shattered, desperate.
Ruby’s expression darkened.
Her patience snapped.
In one swift motion, she grabbed his wrist and dragged him into her room.
"Let me... go," Julian muttered, his heart slamming against his ribs.
Ruby kicked the door shut behind them and shoved him against the wall again, her eyes burning into his.
"You think I cheated on you?" she growled, her jaw clenched. "You saw me in bed with someone else? Then tell me, Julian—how the hell is that possible when I solved the drug myself... with my fingers?"
Julian’s entire body froze.
The air in the room felt suffocating, heavy with something raw and electric.
His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
Julian’s throat went dry as her vulgar words echoed in his head.
Ruby’s red eyes gleamed with something dark, something dangerous, as she took a slow step forward.
"You know I was drugged," she began, her voice calm but laced with unshakable authority. "My ex-friend was the one who did it. She dragged me to that room, and yes—she arranged someone for me. Now I understand why she did it." Her gaze sharpened, her fingers twitching at her sides. "But before anything could happen, I ran. I hid in another room and solved the problem myself."
She leaned in slightly, eyes boring into his, watching every flicker of emotion on his face. "What I don’t understand is how you saw me with someone else. And more importantly... why did she want to drug me in the first place? How did you end up there?"
Julian’s throat tightened. His back was already pressed against the wooden wall, nowhere to retreat, yet he still shrank under the weight of her words. His lips parted, but his voice came out fragile, broken.
"I—" His breath stuttered. "I... Levi. He took me there."
Ruby’s body went still.
A slow, chilling smirk curled at her lips.
"Levi?" she repeated, tilting her head. "And you believed him?"
"You got caught in his lies." Her voice was soft but sharper than a blade. "He must have arranged someone. Did you even see my face?"
His silence told her everything.
Now... everything made sense.
Her mind worked quickly, piecing together the missing parts. Celeste drugged her, but why? And why was she helping Levi? There had to be someone else behind this, pulling the strings.
Julian looked shocked, unable to find the right words.
"And what did you say? That I didn’t touch anyone because I love someone else?" Ruby’s eyes locked onto his. "You’re wrong about that."
Julian wanted to know why she hadn’t touched anyone, so he decided to push his luck. His chest felt lighter knowing she hadn’t betrayed him, but he wasn’t about to show it. Instead, he said, "Maybe you just don’t have the ability."
His voice was low, edged with false confidence, carefully masking the panic in his chest. His face was unreadable, his expression blank but his heart pounded.
—To be continued...🪄