Chapter 3

My mother caught on at once.

By the time she reached to cover Ruby's mouth, it was already too late.

Seated at the head of the table, Grandfather let out a cold snort. "Treating an adopted daughter like a treasure. Look at what you've spoiled her into!"

"Bertha, take Eric for a walk in the back garden. I have things to say to your parents."

Ruby stared at me and Eric standing together, her face twisted with grief and fury, biting her lower lip as if she were about to cry.

My mother immediately pushed Ruby forward with a fawning smile.

"Eric, you and Ruby grew up together. Surely the two of you have more to talk about."

"Let Ruby be the one to walk the back garden with you."

Eric stayed where he was, his gaze drifting coldly over Ruby.

"Sorry. My mother never let me play with the mentally challenged when I was little."

My mother's face darkened. She followed Eric's line of sight, only to find Ruby still with her thumb in her mouth, crying prettily.

I never found out what Grandfather said to my parents after I left.

The moment I got home, my father lifted his head and fixed a cold stare on me.

"Kneel!"

I stood there blank, and Barret kicked me from behind so that I dropped to the floor.

Ruby sat in my mother's arms, crying until both eyes were red.

"Baby hurts..."

The words had barely left her mouth when Barret jabbed a finger at me, his face livid.

"You still dare to act like a baby here?!"

"If you hadn't put ideas in Ruby's head, how could she have humiliated herself like that in front of the man she loves?!"

"Grandfather has already spoken. Since you're back, your engagement banquet with Eric will be moved up as soon as possible."

"And you still claim you didn't set Ruby up on purpose!"

My mother's eyes were red too, and her stare was just as cold.

"Lock Bertha in her room!"

"She stays there until she agrees to give Eric up to Ruby!"

I bit my lip and shook my head, desperate.

I had no idea what Grandfather was planning.

But they only waved me off, impatient, and had the caretaker lock me straight into the basement.

Ruby had been slighted at the old estate, and it only made them ache for her more.

I looked at the system panel. The progress had already reached ninety percent.

Ruby could no longer take care of herself at all now.

But the Hensons, drowning in their guilt, never noticed.

They only tried, desperately, to keep her happy.

Even her everyday clothes had been remade into oversized onesies.

My father went so far as to spend a fortune bringing in the best childcare team in the world to see to Ruby's every need.

I wasn't let out of the basement until the day of the engagement.

I looked at Ruby in her onesie, a pacifier in her mouth, and the corner of my eye twitched violently.

Behind me, my mother stood there urging me on, her face tight with anxiety.

"Go with Eric to the ballroom first."

"When it comes time for the engagement, you hide yourself away."

"We've invited every media reporter in Harbor City. Once the news goes out, the Gilberts won't be able to weasel out of it."