Chapter 19: 18

Last day of our stay.

If there was one thing I could say about this place, it was how incredibly welcoming they were. They had embraced us like family, making us feel as if we truly belonged. But more than that, it was her grandparents who stood out the most, especially her grandfather, Gil. He carried an air of quiet authority, the kind that made people respect him the moment he walked into a room. Yet, beneath that strong exterior, there was warmth, a deep, unwavering love for his granddaughter.

As everyone busied themselves preparing dinner, Ruby was helping in the kitchen, arranging the ingredients and assisting with the preparations. Laughter filled the air, the scent of home-cooked food wrapping around us like a comforting embrace.

Then, amidst the lively atmosphere, I heard my name.

“Sanae.”

I turned to see her grandfather standing near the doorway, his gaze firm yet unreadable.

“Yes, sir?” I replied, straightening instinctively.

“Come with me,” he said simply before turning towards the mansion’s library.

I followed him, my mind racing with curiosity and a hint of nervousness. The moment we entered the library, he motioned for me to sit across from him. The room was dimly lit, lined with towering shelves of books that carried years of knowledge and history. It smelled of aged paper and wood, an air of wisdom lingering within its walls.

He sat with his hands folded in front of him, studying me with an intensity that made my chest tighten. This wasn’t just a casual conversation he had something important to say.

“Sanae,” he said again, his voice calm yet heavy with meaning.

“Yes, sir?”

“I know about the company my granddaughter runs,” he began, his tone unwavering. “I am well aware of the dangers that come with it, the people who wish to see her fall… and the ones who want her dead.” He paused, his gaze steady. “One of them being her own father.”

His words sent a chill through me, though I shouldn’t have been surprised. Still, hearing it from him, hearing him confirm what Ruby had never explicitly told me, made it feel even more real.

“She doesn’t talk about these things with us,” he continued. “She keeps it all hidden because she worries about us. She doesn’t want us to interfere, doesn’t want us to know too much because she fears we will try to stop her.”

I clenched my jaw, understanding all too well how much weight Ruby carried on her shoulders.

“I have no doubt that Lesley let something slip,” he said knowingly, his eyes narrowing slightly. “That girl always talks too much.”

I let out a silent sigh. Damn it, Lesley. You really don’t know how to keep secrets, do you?

Her grandfather exhaled slowly, his expression softening just a fraction. “I know everything, Sanae,” he admitted. “I know why my granddaughter didn’t come home for three years. I know about Amanda, how she didn’t just leave, but died years ago. And yet, Ruby only ever told us that they separated.”

The weight of his words settled between us.

“Why are you telling me all of this?” I finally asked, my voice tquieter now.

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking onto mine. “Because, Sanae, I need you to do something for me.”

I swallowed, already knowing what he was about to say.

“Please,” he said, his voice softer now, almost pleading. “Protect my granddaughter at all costs. Love her truly. I don’t ever want to see her become cold, hopeless… lost.” He exhaled, shaking his head slightly. “Ruby deserves everything, and yet she always chooses to carry her burdens alone. I can’t protect her the way I once could. So I am asking you, don’t let her be alone in this. Keep her safe.”

I felt a lump form in my throat, but I managed to smile as I nodded.

“You have my word, sir,” I said sincerely. “Even if you hadn’t asked, I would do it anyway.”

His gaze softened slightly.

“Ruby is precious to me,” I continued. “More than I can even put into words. No matter what happens, I will do everything in my power to make sure she doesn’t come to harm.”

A small, knowing smile appeared on his face, and he gave me a single nod of approval.

“Good,” he said. “Then I trust her in your hands.”

I nodded again, the weight of his words settling deep within me.

For Ruby, I would do anything.

Our conversation ended on a reassuring note, and we joined the rest of the family for dinner. The warmth in the room was undeniable the kind that made a house feel like a home. Laughter filled the air, the clinking of utensils against plates blending with lively chatter.

As I glanced around the table, I could feel Ruby’s grandmother’s eyes on me. Every time I helped Ruby with something, passing her a dish, refilling her glass, or simply making sure she was comfortable her grandmother would watch me with a soft, approving smile. It was clear that she liked me, that she saw something in me that she believed was good for her granddaughter.

And that realization sat heavy in my chest.

As dinner came to an end and everyone slowly began clearing the table, I stood up and offered to wash the dishes. It was a small gesture, a sign of respect for their hospitality.

“Are you sure, dear?” Ruby’s grandmother asked, already reaching to stop me.

I smiled at her. “Yes, po. It’s the least I can do to thank you for welcoming me so warmly.”

She gave me a fond look before patting my shoulder. “You’re very thoughtful, Sanae.”

As I started scrubbing the plates, she didn’t leave the kitchen. Instead, she picked up a dish towel and began drying the ones I had already rinsed. The quiet hum of the water running in the sink filled the air, mingling with the occasional sounds of voices from the dining area.

“My granddaughter can be so stubborn sometimes,” she said after a moment, her tone filled with affectionate exasperation. “But she’s a good woman.”

I smiled softly. “I know. She carries so much on her shoulders, but she has a good heart.”

She chuckled. “I spoke to her the other day,” she continued, glancing at me. “And you should have heard the way she talked about you.”

I froze for a moment, my grip tightening slightly on the plate in my hand.

“She was practically bragging about you,” her grandmother went on, a warm smile on her lips. “The way she described you, the way her eyes lit up while talking… It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her like that. She’s happy, Sanae. And a big part of that is because of you.”

Guilt twisted in my stomach.

Because despite everything… despite how real this had started to feel… I had come into this with a purpose. A plan. I was supposed to be manipulating her emotions, making her fall for me, so I could get my revenge.

And yet… here I was, standing in her family’s kitchen, being told that I was the reason she was happy. That she spoke of me with admiration, that she cared for me in ways I hadn’t fully let myself acknowledge.

What had started as a trap was now something I wasn’t sure I wanted to escape from.

“Thank you for taking care of her,” her grandmother said softly, pulling me back to the moment.

I forced a small smile. “I—” I hesitated for a second before speaking again, this time more firmly. “I truly care about Ruby, Ma’am. My feelings for her are genuine, and I want to show that not just through words, but through actions.”

She studied me for a long moment, as if searching for any hint of insincerity. Then, she nodded approvingly.

“That’s good to hear, Sanae.” She placed the last dried dish on the counter before turning to me. “Well, I’ll leave you to finish up. Just leave everything in the rack when you’re done.”

I nodded, offering her a small smile. “Thank you, Ma’am.”

As she walked away, I let out a slow breath, my hands gripping the edge of the sink.

This was real. It had become real somewhere along the way.

I had fallen into my own trap.

And now, there was no turning back.