Ruby didn’t even blink.
But Jepsi saw the way Julian’s jaw tightened... the way Milo gripped the side of the car door like he might cry again... and the subtle shift in Adrian’s posture, like he was ready to lunge at the first signal.
And that made her grin wider.
"You act so strong, Ruby... but deep down, you know the truth, don’t you?" Her voice dipped, low and taunting.
"He chose someone else. He chose the idea of someone better. Someone prettier. Richer. More exciting. Someone who promised him the world... while you were too busy playing businesswitch."
She leaned in slightly, voice full of poison. "Do you know what I think? I think Karl got bored of you."
That hit like a dart.
Milo turned sharply, lips trembling.
Adrian’s hands curled into fists behind his back.
But Ruby didn’t move.
Jepsi stepped back and laughed again, louder this time. "He must’ve realized it, huh? That he was just a trophy in your house of husbands. That no matter how many sweet things you gave him, you didn’t take him seriously. You didn’t understand how badly he wanted more."
Her smile widened cruelly.
"Maybe you didn’t deserve him."
The wind blew gently. A dry leaf of twisted tree skidded across the ground.
Then Ruby finally looked up—and this time, her smile was slow, dangerous, and cold.
Her voice was soft... but it could’ve sliced steel.
Jepsi blinked, caught off guard for half a second.
Ruby stepped forward, just once.
"You think I didn’t know he dreamed too big?" she said, tone like velvet laced with fire.
"You think I didn’t see him acting out scenes in the small mirror."
"I knew. I saw everything. And I supported it."
She raised Karl’s bracelet, still clutched in her hand.
"He didn’t need to run after empty promises. He already had everything and he’ll realize that. So go ahead, laugh." She took one more step. "Because when I find him and I will—you’ll regret every word you just said."
Jepsi’s grin faltered slightly.
And Ruby added quietly, "Now get out of my way."
She turned toward the car again, the moment broken but her anger barely contained.
Jepsi should’ve stopped. She should’ve walked away when she had the chance. But something in her spite, jealousy, or just plain cruelty made her open her mouth one last time.
"You think he left for acting?" she sneered, laughing darkly.
"That stupid ghost isn’t at any movie set. He’s being sold... to a brothel. One that pays very well for pretty faces like his."
For a moment, even the breeze held its breath.
And then Ruby snapped.
Her eyes normally calm, calculating blazed red like a wildfire breaking loose.
Her aura flared so suddenly and so violently that even Adrian stepped back, instincts kicking in.
"You—what did you say?" Ruby growled, her voice no longer gentle, no longer restrained.
It was low, furious, and lethal.
Before Jepsi could react, Ruby was on her.
Her hand closed around Jepsi’s throat and slammed her against her own car with a force that rattled the frame. Jepsi gasped, trying to pull away, but Ruby’s grip was iron.
Her nails dug into the skin just enough to make the witch panic.
Ruby’s voice roared through the air, her red eyes glowing like hellfire, burning with fury, pain, and pure desperation.
"You think this is a game?! You sold my husband like he was nothing?!"
Jepsi’s face turned pale as she gasped for air, her hands clawing at Ruby’s arm, too shocked to even fight back.
The other witches nearby froze in terror. One backed away, whispering, "Her aura—it’s overflowing—"
Julian, Milo, and Adrian didn’t stop her.
Because for the first time, they saw Ruby not just as their wife...But as the terrifying storm she’d once kept hidden beneath her calm face.
"TELL ME WHERE HE IS!" Ruby shouted again, her voice breaking as her emotions boiled over.
Jepsi choked, her eyes wide, her voice strained. "I—I’ll tell! Just let go—please!"
Ruby’s eyes narrowed. Her grip loosened but just barely. "Now."
And Jepsi, coughing and terrified, finally broke.
"T-The Mystery and Fun brothel...Kolzz village... hidden in the back of a textile warehouse... h-he’s being sold there!"
Ruby dropped her hand, letting her fall to the ground.
Jepsi gasped and coughed violently, her body trembling as she scrambled back in fear.
Ruby didn’t look at her again.
She turned to her husbands, voice still shaking but firm.
Because if they were even a second later—
She didn’t know what would be left to save.
Ruby’s aura still hadn’t calmed—it crackled like a storm around her, fierce and hot, her red eyes glowing faintly as if the flames inside her had not been extinguished.
Her husbands didn’t say a word.
Julian opened the car door first, still pale from shock, and slid into the front seat.
Adrian pulled Milo gently into the back before taking his place beside him.
There was no hesitation. No questions.
They saw her fury, and they trusted it.
And Ruby... was ready to burn the world if that’s what it took to get him back.
She started the engine.
With a roar, the car shot up into the sky, rising high, then darting forward with dangerous speed, streaking across the skies above the village, heading straight for Kolzz.
"Adrian, Julian—help me find that place!" she said, eyes sharp, never blinking.
"There’s a textile warehouse... Mystery and Fun brothel... anything you know that fits!"
But as they arrived at the Kolzz border, it became clear:
There were too many warehouses.
Too many storage lots. Too many alleys. Too many false doors.
Ruby’s grip on the wheel tightened.
They hovered low over the district, but no sign stood out.
She landed the car suddenly in one of the merchant alleys and stepped out. Her long robe flared around her as she approached a group of locals in shop..
"Excuse me," she said, controlling her tone. "Do you know where the textile warehouse is that—"
But before she could finish, the ghosts looked at her with wary eyes and quickly shook their heads.
—To be continued...🪄