Julian was in Ruby’s room.
Karl’s baby blue eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms. "What are you doing here, Julian? Don’t you hate wife?" His voice dripped with suspicion as he eyed Julian.
Julian shot him the same suspicious look. "That’s exactly what I should be asking you... don’t you hate wife?"
The two ghost stood there, staring at each other, arms crossed, mirroring each other’s expressions. It was almost like two cats circling around, tails flicking, trying to figure out who had the bigger claim.
Ruby cleared her throat loudly, snapping both of them out of their ridiculous staring contest.
Julian blinked, realizing what just happened. His green eyes widened slightly in shock.
Why the hell did he react like that?
He wasn’t sure why Karl’s words had irritated him so much.
Feeling a little embarrassed, he exhaled and muttered, "Sorry..." as he glanced at Karl.
Karl, who had also been caught off guard, blinked a few times before giving a slightly awkward smile.
"Uh... it’s alright," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. Then, his baby blue eyes flickered toward Julian again, curiosity returning. "I was just asking—what are you doing here?"
Ruby stretched dramatically, letting out the most exaggerated fake yawn possible.
"Yaaawn... You both can talk outside. I’m sleepy, and I have something important to do tomorrow," she said, rubbing her eyes lazily before shooting them both a pointed look.
Julian and Karl exchanged glances.
Then, without a word, they slowly walked out of her room.
Just as they stepped out, Karl suddenly remembered why he even came here in the first place.
"Wait, wait—stupid wife! I have something to tell you, personall—"
The door was already shut.
"Argh!!" he shook his head angrily, muttering curses under his breath.
Julian, standing beside him, glanced at Karl’s annoyed side profile and raised an eyebrow.
His green eyes glinted with suspicion.
"What exactly do you want to talk to wife about... privately?" he asked, his tone a little too casual.
"Nothing..." Karl sighed, rubbing his temples.
He wasn’t in the mood to deal with Julian’s probing green eyes right now.
"Let’s just go to sleep," he muttered, stretching his arms. "Milo and Adrian are already preparing for bed."
Julian didn’t respond immediately.
He simply stared at Karl, his expression unreadable.
Karl felt it—that lingering suspicion in Julian’s gaze.
But instead of pressing further, Julian let out a small sigh and turned away.
"Fine," he said, his voice quieter.
And just like that, the conversation ended.
As Julian walked toward his room, his green eyes darkened with doubt.
Karl’s reaction just now... felt off.
He brushed it off too quickly. Too easily.
And then there was that one thing Karl said earlier.
"Don’t make me sit on your lap like last time."
Julian’s steps slowed.
His mind replayed the words again and again.
Why the hell was Karl sitting on Ruby’s lap in the first place?
The next morning, Ruby woke up feeling relieved.
Julian wasn’t in her room. Thankfully.
Looks like his strange sleepwalking problem was finally over.
With a relaxed sigh, she stretched, got up, and went outside to freshen up.
After washing up, she wiped her white locks with a towel, planning to step outside to dry her hair under the sun.
Just as she turned toward the door—
Ruby paused mid-step, blinking in surprise.
She turned her head and saw Adrian standing there.
He was talking to her.
That alone was shocking.
Adrian never tried to talk to her. He always kept his distance, watching but never engaging.
What happened to him today?
"Morning," Ruby replied with a small smile. Then, narrowing her eyes slightly, she asked, "You look happy... is something good happening today?"
"Hmm." Adrian nodded, his dark eyes noticeably brighter than usual.
Even though his face remained expressionless, his body language betrayed him. The way he walked beside her toward the door, the slight bounce in his steps—he was definitely happy about something.
"What good thing happened?" she asked, curious now.
Adrian paused for a moment, as if debating whether to tell her.
Then, he finally admitted, "Today, I’ll get my salary."
Ruby’s lips parted in realization before curving into a genuine smile.
"Great! Congratulations!" she said, resuming drying her white locks with the towel.
Adrian let out a soft, almost hidden smile, quickly turning his head away before she could catch it.
"You have nothing to say?" Adrian’s voice held a hint of disappointment.
Even though he still didn’t fully believe her, his body was already doing all the talking for him.
Otherwise, why would he even be talking to her?
Ruby, still drying her white locks, glanced at him and muttered, "You’re doing great."
Adrian had become independent, earning money on his own now. That was huge for someone like him, and deep down, she was genuinely proud of him.
But her mind soon drifted to something else.
She had planned it. She wanted it. But... was she really so sure?
She couldn’t imagine divorcing Julian, Karl, and Milo.
And Adrian too... though he had been a bit of a thief in the beginning, he had turned himself around.
Maybe... just maybe...
If things really didn’t work out, and they ended up divorcing, she would at least leave them this house.
After all, to her, this was just a temporary place.
She had bigger plans.
In her mind, she had already started designing her dream home..something that blended the unique elements of this world with modern aesthetics.
Something different. Something that truly felt like hers.
Ruby’s thoughts were abruptly shattered by the sudden sound of loud, wailing cries.
"Miiiiiiiiissssssssssss Rubyyyyyyyyyy!!!"
Her body tensed in shock.
She barely had time to process the pitiful crying voice before a figure came running straight toward her—
—To be continued...🪄