Adrian’s brows furrowed deeper, his gaze sharp enough to make Milo’s shoulders hunch. "Something?" he repeated, his tone colder now. "What kind of something makes you this red in the face, hmm?"
Milo’s heart thudded, his throat so dry he could hardly speak. He shuffled on his feet, whispering helplessly, "I... I don’t know how to explain..."
Adrian’s eyes narrowed even more, and he leaned down just slightly. "Milo. Tell me. What did you see?"
Milo’s face flamed hotter, his chest tightening with panic. He stammered again, unable to look Adrian in the eye, completely lost for words.
"Wife and Jules... Wife and Jules..." Milo muttered shyly, his voice so low it was almost swallowed by the air. His face was burning, his hands clutching the sketchbook like a shield.
Adrian’s eyes narrowed. "What?" he asked sharply, tilting his head as if Milo’s mumbling had only fueled his suspicion. Without waiting for an answer, Adrian turned toward Ruby’s door.
Milo’s eyes widened in panic. "N-no, wait! You can’t—" He looked around desperately, not knowing what to do, his feet shifting nervously, but Adrian had already pushed the door open.
A moment passed. Two.
Then Adrian stepped back out, his usual calm face now betrayed by the red creeping up his ears. His lips pressed into a thin line, and without a single word, he turned on his heel and walked down the hallway, his movements brisk.
Milo stood frozen, still clutching his sketchbook, his eyes wide with both shock and worry. When Adrian disappeared into his own room, Milo whispered to himself with a tiny groan, "Oh no... now he knows too..." and buried his red face into his hands.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Ruby and Julian had no idea about the chaos just outside the door. Both of them were still wrapped in the warmth of each other’s arms, lost in the closeness they shared.
Ruby lay against Julian’s chest, her body finally free of the heavy tension that had been weighing her down for days. Her breathing was steady now, and for the first time in what felt like forever, her heart didn’t feel so heavy. Hugging him tighter, she whispered softly, her voice carrying genuine gratitude, "Jules... thank you."
Julian tilted his head, brushing his lips against her hair, his arms secure around her waist. "For what, Wife?" he asked gently, his tone curious yet tender.
Ruby closed her eyes, pressing her cheek to the warmth of his chest. "For being here... for making me feel like I can breathe again," she said honestly. Her words were simple, but they carried all the weight of her heart.
Julian smiled softly, his hand stroking her back in slow, comforting circles. He kissed the top of her head, whispering, "Always... I’ll always be here."
And in that moment, while the world outside was full of fear and uncertainty, Ruby felt refreshed, as if just being held by Julian had given her the strength she desperately needed.
****
Meanwhile, in the cold basement, Karl and Kaelan had spent every bit of their strength whispering back and forth, planning. They didn’t just sit and wait—no, they talked for hours, going over every detail of what they could do. Karl clung to Kaelan’s every word, his eyes full of trust.
They even discussed the worst possibilities—what to do if one of them was caught again, what to do if they got separated, and how to fight back if they had no choice. By the time they finished, they had a full plan... and a second plan hidden behind it.
Karl’s phone, which had given him the strength to call Ruby before, had long died. The black screen mocked him each time he pulled it out. He felt helpless, but whenever his eyes landed on Kaelan’s sharp, determined expression, his heart held on to hope. We’ll get out... with Kai’s plan, we’ll get out, he repeated to himself.
The moment finally came. The sound of footsteps echoed outside, heavy and deliberate. Karl’s heart pounded wildly, and he glanced at Kaelan. Kaelan gave him the faintest nod, his eyes sharp despite his pale face. They were ready.
The lock clicked, and the door creaked open. Lex entered, her cruel smile in place, her sharp eyes already glowing with the thought of pouring all her frustration on the two ghosts.
But before she could speak, both Karl and Kaelan moved.
Karl lunged straight at her, his hands grabbing her head and slamming it against the ground with all the strength he had left. The thud echoed, and Lex let out a strangled cry. Her nails clawed at him, but Karl pressed harder, his tears spilling from the corner of his eyes as his face twisted in fury. "This is for every slap... for every cruel laugh," he whispered through gritted teeth, thumbing her head against the floor again and again. His body shook, anger and fear tangled together, but when he felt it was enough, he looked at Kaelan.
Kaelan, who had already thrown himself at her legs, holding them down firmly, looked up and gave the slightest nod back. It was time.
They didn’t waste a second. Karl jumped to his feet, Kaelan following as fast as his weak body allowed, and together they dashed for the hallway. Servants shouted when they saw them, but Karl and Kaelan dodged, their footsteps quick and desperate. They grabbed each other’s hands tightly, running through twisting halls, searching for a way out. Then—the faint light of a door ahead.
They burst through it, the air of the outside world hitting their faces. Relief washed over them both, their lungs burning but their hearts pounding with wild joy. For the first time since being taken, they felt the sky above them.
"Run!" Kaelan shouted, his voice hoarse, and Karl nodded, their hands still locked as they sprinted into the open.
Five minutes of frantic running passed, the cold wind hitting their sweat-soaked skin, their breaths ragged. But then—suddenly—they stopped dead in their tracks.
Two sleek black cars hovered just ahead, their engines humming low and threatening. The tinted windows slid down, and from one of them, a familiar face leaned out. Lex.
Her hair spilled over her shoulders, her face twisted with ugly fury, her eyes burning with cold hate. The smile she gave them was no longer cruel amusement—it was pure venom.
Karl and Kaelan’s eyes widened in horror when she raised her hand, and from the open window gleamed the cold metal of a gun. The barrel pointed straight at them, her finger curling around the trigger.
To be continued... 🪄