The guest room made things worse.
When the window blinds were lifted, Ruby came face to face with the same garden she looked away from earlier.
The lilies she planted with Hermione were now packed to the side like it were junks, and now replaced with roses.
“That's the young lady's garden.” The servant who brought her said, noticing her deep gaze.
Ruby's chest pain is harder at the mention of that. She gripped the window blinds like it had personally offended her. This same garden was named after her in the past, and roses were never planted there because Ruby was allergic to them. Now, it was Josette's?
“I'd love to be alone.” She looked away from the garden and pulled the window blind back in place.
When she was alone, Ruby stripped the clothes she had on, revealing the massive wound on her back.
“Oww.” She pulled her lips together when the unhealed wound from her branded arm touched the cool water under the shower.
After bathing, she changed into the simple dress she found in the closet, and the servant came back to escort her to the dining table for lunch.
Ruby knew they didn't give her a servant to help her, it was all to monitor her and she wasn't going to fall for it. Even when she sat down beside Spencer, the same servant served her without letting her touch a thing.
“Where's Dad?” Ruby asked before breaking the bread on her plate.
“He's always on a business trip.” Rafael said. “Don't worry about him.”
Ruby proceeded to eat but others didn't. She was about to ask why, when Josette came down elegantly, wearing a necklace Ruby recognized as hers.
Rafael got up and pulled out her chair, and helped slice her steak before returning to his seat. “You should try the meat.”
“I ordered them especially for her.” A grin spread across Spencer's face. “A good swimmer like her needs more caring.”
“A swimmer needs this too.” Jackson joined in by adding a spoonful of his rice on Josette's plate.
She beamed. “You guys are treating me like I'm five.”
“You're the baby of the house.” Hermione laughed. “I'm jealous of you.”
Everyone burst into laughter, as if Ruby was never there. She bent her head to the food critically, like she hadn't heard them either.
“Here.” Josette suddenly placed one of the meat on her plate on Ruby's. “You should have some too.”
Ruby froze, the dining fell in silence.
“T.. Thanks.” Ruby eats, still not looking up.
“About the garden…” Josette began halfway through the meal making everyone look up except Ruby. “Do you like the new setting, Ruby?”
Ruby finally looked up like she was unbothered. “New setting? you mean the roses you replaced with the lilies?”
“I’m allergic to lilies.” Josette dropped her spoon. “I thought everyone knew that.”
“Hmm okay.”
The family said nothing, the meal continued.
Ruby finished her meal first, wiped her mouth and got up to go back to the guest room but Josette stood up after her. “You should come back to the swimming academy.”
Ruby turned. “What do you mean?”
“You used to be the female team captain. Even though I'm now occupying that seat, there's still a place for you.”
“A place?” Ruby blinked.
“You could start over again from 100 meter strokes. The juniors would be happy—”
“Female team captain, huh?” Ruby cut in “You should hold the post tighter.”
She had fought her way to that position. Now Josette occupied it has always been hers.
What a life. Ruby felt like laughing.
Josette wasn't satisfied with the response. She wanted more fire so she pressed harder. “Do you need me to help you write a recommendation letter? To make up for ruining your lilies?”
With another forced smile Ruby shook her head. “I don't need your help in getting back to the academy, Jossy. Thanks for the offer, though.”
“How dare you!” Rafael flared up almost immediately. Josette sat back, trying not to smile at her accomplishment.
“Jossy is being kind here and you're turning it down like you got a better choice?”
“The prison wardens must have spoiled her so much.” Hermione scoffed over a mouthful of meat.
The other brothers said nothing, but their gazes said a lot. Ruby knew they had always been the sidekick in everything and always silent. But their activeness in the background wasn't hidden either.All this was possible all thanks to their participation.
Josette faced Rafael, head bowed like a repentant sinner. “It's her choice, Bro Raf. I just wanted to help. If she doesn't want it, let it be.”
“How could she not want it?” Rafael insisted. “She's still as jealous and bitter as ever!”
That stung.
“You know what brother?” Ruby said. “
Still not letting them see through her, Ruby respectfully faced Hermione instead of Rafael and Josette. “I came back to help ma'am with her recovery. I don't desire to go back to the academy and even if I wanted…”
Ruby and Josette locked eyes again.
“...I still want no help from anybody.”
“That little…” Before they're done, Ruby turns and walks away.
Hermione flung the fork and knife she held away, banged the table with a shriek and stood up.
“I said don't call me your mother!”
Ruby didn't stop.
The siblings hurried to calm their mother while Josette lowered her head, pretending to cry.
Only Rafael didn't stay. He left the dining room and went after Ruby.
Before she opened the door, he grabbed her arm. “Did you think causing chaos will do you any good?”
“Chaos?”
“Cut the crap, you know what you were doing!” Rafael ran his hand through his hair. “You're acting strange.”
Ruby smacked her lips. “Do I? Aren't I Jossy's rival who was always bitter and jealous.”
“Stop this, Ruby!”
“Are you scared I might do anything?” Ruby faced him with the same expression he faced her with.
Rafael grabbed her jaw. “Whatever it is that you have up your sleeve, I would advise you to drop it now or else…” he stopped.
“The least you would do was to send me back to prison, right?” Ruby remained unfazed. “Don't be too worked up, Brother.”
Rafael gulped. “You're still doing too much.”
“I'm not here to stay.” Ruby's voice came like a whisper. “And I'm not doing too much, because if I do…” she paused. “Your darling baby of the house might shed real tears.”
Before Rafael could find a response, Ruby stepped into the guest room and slammed the door.
Aksara