Ruby blinked in surprise, but she didn’t move. He held her like someone who had been scared to death, like someone who had been waiting for a piece of his soul to return.
"Where have you been, wife..." he murmured softly against her shoulder, his voice tight with emotion. "Do you know how worried I was..."
She could feel his heart beating fast. He had been worried. Really worried.
But suddenly, his body stiffened.
He pulled back just a little, his brows slowly drawing together.
His nose twitched subtly, and his eyes dropped down to her jacket.
Then his gaze locked with hers — confused and slightly hurt.
"...What’s that smell?" he asked, almost in a whisper.
Ruby tilted her head. "What?"
He looked down again and murmured more to himself, "It’s not yours... it’s expensive... it’s cologne."
His fingers lightly touched the edge of her sleeve. "This isn’t your scent..."
Ruby blinked, realizing what he meant.
That ghost from last night.
His scent must have lingered — expensive, rich, almost annoyingly bold. That idiot who called himself handsome and tried to hide under her blanket. She had completely forgotten. And now, Julian had noticed.
"Julian..." she began.
But Julian stepped back a little, trying to hide the flicker of something in his expression. "Were you with someone?"
There was no jealousy in his tone — just... disappointment. A strange kind of sadness, like he didn’t know what to feel yet, but his heart already hurt anyway.
Ruby sighed, rubbing her forehead. "No, not like that. I’ll explain."
Julian didn’t say anything, but he moved aside, letting her in quietly. He didn’t ask again. He just followed her with his eyes, unsure, silent... waiting for her to say something. His usual gentle calm had become clouded with quiet confusion.
And Ruby, already exhausted from everything, didn’t know where to start.
She just wanted to sit down... and breathe.
"Well, I stopped by somewhere... and suddenly, some ghost came inside my car," Ruby said, rubbing her forehead as if the memory gave her a secondhand headache. "People were after him with knives... so I let him in."
Julian blinked. "What...?" he started, then sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping in quiet relief.
He stepped closer and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Wife, you didn’t even eat dinner last night. Go freshen up. I’ve prepared something for you."
His voice was so soft, so warm, it made her chest tighten.
Ruby stared at him for a moment. She felt awful—consumed by guilt for leaving the house, for making Julian and others worry. All because of Karl’s one careless act. She had broken down more than she cared to admit.
Without a word, she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Just a small, grateful touch.
Julian’s eyes widened instantly, a soft gasp leaving his lips as his entire face turned pink. He stood there, frozen, lips slightly parted, his hand reaching unconsciously to the spot where she kissed him.
Ruby, meanwhile, was already turning away, walking quietly to her room.
And Julian was still standing there like a stunned statue, his heart thudding in his chest.
"Wife..." he whispered under his breath, a shy smile curling his lips as a deep blush painted his face.
Ruby quietly slipped into the dining room, ignoring the ache in her head and the heaviness in her heart. She didn’t say anything as she pulled out the chair and sat down, just quietly placed her hands in her lap, her expression unreadable. She hadn’t seen Karl yet—thankfully.
Milo, who had been waiting for her, immediately scooted closer and sat beside her. His hands reached out to touch her sleeve gently.
"Wife... please don’t do that again," Milo whispered, his voice trembling. His eyes were already shimmering with unshed tears. "We were all so stressed... we thought... maybe you wouldn’t come back."
Ruby turned to look at him, her face softening the moment she saw his worried eyes. She reached out and touched his cheek, wiping the corner of his eye with her thumb.
"I’m sorry, Milo," she said gently, trying to smile even through the exhaustion. "I won’t do it again. I was just... really angry yesterday. I needed to be alone for a bit."
Milo nodded slowly, sniffling once and leaning his head lightly on her shoulder. "Okay... but next time, just sit outside the house. I’ll bring you snacks."
That finally made Ruby chuckle softly, and she ruffled his hair.
Just then, Adrian entered and took the seat across from her. He looked at her for a moment, his calm eyes scanning her face. Ruby gave him a small, tired smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. He nodded back, silent as always, but the message in his gaze was clear: I’m glad you’re back.
However, her smile faded instantly when she saw Karl standing awkwardly near the hallway.
He looked different today...not loud or dramatic, but quiet, hesitant. His usual playful grin was nowhere to be found. His fingers fidgeted with the edge of his sleeves as he stood there, unsure whether he was even welcome at the table.
When his eyes met Ruby’s, he froze.
Her expression toward him was colder than winter wind—emotionless, blank, and it pierced right through him. She didn’t say a word. She simply turned her attention away, as if he didn’t exist.
Karl’s heart squeezed painfully in his chest. He hadn’t seen her look at him like that before.
And somehow... that silence hurt more than any shouting ever could.
Karl lowered his eyes and quietly pulled out the chair next to Adrian, sitting down without a word. He didn’t fidget. He didn’t pout. He just sat there, unusually still—his hands clasped tightly in his lap as if trying to hold in the guilt that was bubbling inside him.
Julian entered with a soft smile, carrying a tray of warm breakfast plates.
He moved gently, like he didn’t want to disturb the quiet tension in the room.
He placed a plate in front of Ruby first, pausing just long enough to study her face. Her eyes were focused on her food, distant. Then he served Milo, who thanked him in a small voice, and Adrian, who gave a brief nod.
Lastly, he set Karl’s plate down in front of him. Karl didn’t meet his eyes.
Julian lingered a moment longer by Karl’s side, his heart aching.
He glanced between Karl and Ruby. This wasn’t how it used to be. Usually, Karl would be poking fun at everyone, trying to sit beside Ruby, fighting with Milo over who got the bigger slice of toast... But now?
To be continued... 🪄