CHAPTER 328: CHAPTER 328 SHE WAS HOME

Elira scoffed from across the room, arms folded as she paced back and forth. Her robe was wrapped so tightly it looked like she was trying to hold herself together. "I regret raising that Karl! Disrespectful. He doesn’t even acknowledge his own mother."

Danny rolled his eyes. "That’s because you’re his stepmother."

"Hmph!" Elira raised her chin. "Still. If our sweet Lucien had married Ruby, we’d be swimming in gold by now. Fortune! Fame! Blissful retirement! Instead..." she waved toward the chipped teacup and threadbare curtains, "we live like this!"

Lucien clutched his stomach dramatically. "Father, Mother, I think I’m going to faint. I haven’t had a proper fruit tart in weeks."

Danny stood up. "Then let’s make a plan.".

***

When Adrian returned home that evening, the sky was already painted in soft rwd and fading white, and a quiet breeze brushed against his robe as he stepped through the gate. He felt the ache in his shoulders, the satisfying kind—the kind that came from a good day’s work. His boss had been in a rare, generous mood today and had praised him in front of everyone. Even offered a salary raise. The moment was still replaying in his mind like a sweet song.

But the second he opened the front door, all thoughts vanished.

His breath caught.

The living room—usually tidy and quiet was now overflowing with bags. Neatly stacked, some bulging with mysterious shapes, some tied with silk ribbons, and others with faint city store tags still dangling. His heart jumped as realization settled in.

Ruby and Julian were back.

For a second, he stood frozen in the doorway. His heartbeat felt uneven, fast. He hadn’t even seen her yet, but the idea of her being back in this house again... it warmed something deep inside him.

And then the smell hit him.

Something warm, savory, and familiar was coming from the kitchen. A mix of baked spices, garlic, and something sweet—maybe Milo’s usual overenthusiastic experiment with dessert. It filled the whole house, and before he could call out—

"Brother Adi!!" Karl’s voice rang through like a firecracker.

Adrian blinked.

"Quickly get ready! We’re having dinner early today so we can unbox all the bags!" Karl shouted again, poking his head out from the kitchen, flour on his cheek. Behind him, Milo stood on a stool, earnestly stirring a large pot with an intense, adorable focus.

Adrian chuckled softly. The house felt alive again.

And his eyes unconsciously searched the hallway.

She was home.

After freshening up and changing into his comfortable robes, Adrian stepped out with a towel still hanging loosely around his neck. The house was warm with laughter and the soft clatter of dishes from the kitchen, but his eyes searched for just one thing... or rather, one person.

And then he saw her.

Ruby was standing by the hallway near the dining room, looking through one of the bags with Milo hovering beside her like an eager puppy. Her white hair—now trimmed and styled—fell just at her shoulders, framing her face in a way that somehow made her features glow more than before. A few shorter strands gently curved toward her cheeks, playful and soft, and her red eyes shimmered like little rubies under the warm house lights.

She looked radiant.

There was a calm, confident smile on her lips as she listened to Milo’s chatter, and when she laughed lightly at something Karl said from the kitchen, Adrian forgot how to breathe for a moment.

It had only been a short trip, but somehow... she looked different.

Not just her hair, not just the pretty robes she wore but something about her presence. She looked like someone who had gone through a quiet storm and returned even stronger. Beautiful, self-assured, and glowing with something unexplainable.

She turned slightly, and her eyes met his.

And just like that, time slowed.

Adrian stood still, towel now forgotten in his hand. He didn’t say anything, didn’t smile right away—but his chest tightened. His throat felt dry. It had only been days, yet somehow, he missed her more than he realized.

And Adrian... looked away for just a second to compose himself.

After dinner was finally served, the dining table was full of delicious smells and soft chatter. Ruby took her seat between Julian and Milo, and the cozy warmth of the house wrapped around her like a soft blanket. It felt good to be home.

She took a bite of the rice curry Milo had prepared and paused, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Milo... this is amazing," she said, genuinely impressed. "I didn’t know you’ve improved so much! I missed home-cooked food like this. City meals were nice, but nothing compares to this."

Milo beamed, his cheeks pink with pride as he scooped more curry into her bowl. "Really?! I made it with Brother Karl’s help! We even tried a new spice I read about—it’s pepper powder but not the burning one, the sweet one!"

"Ah, so that’s what that sweet kick is," Julian nodded thoughtfully, enjoying the flavor as well. "You’ve really grown, Brother Milo. This tastes incredible."

Milo looked like he might float right off his chair.

But just a little to the side... Karl, who had been unusually quiet during the meal, kept glancing sideways at Ruby and Julian.

Because Karl—proud Karl—had made one of the side dishes. It was a pickled mushroom and herb salad that he had spent a whole hour chopping, stirring, and fussing over. And no one had said anything about it yet.

Ruby reached for another spoonful of curry, and Karl cleared his throat softly. Then louder.

Ruby blinked. "Hmm?"

Karl gave an innocent shrug, then not-so-subtly pushed the small dish of mushroom salad closer to her plate. "I mean, it’s fine if you don’t want it. I made that one but... yeah. Just herbs. Nothing special."

Julian noticed and smiled knowingly but said nothing.

Ruby paused mid-bite, her eyes flicking to the salad, then to Karl’s not-so-casual expression.

She scooped a small bite, tasted it thoughtfully, then smiled. "Oh? This is yours? I was wondering what this new taste was—Karl, this is really good! The seasoning is perfect."

Karl straightened in his seat like someone had just knighted him. "I knew it wasn’t bland!" he said proudly, then tried to play it off cool. "I mean, yeah. I followed a recipe. Nothing too crazy."

—To be continued...🪄