Chapter 405
A Decision Made
She hadn’t been sleeping well for days. Finally finding a place where she felt safe, she’d drifted off almost immediately.
Naomi waited until she was sure Ruby was asleep before grabbing her pajamas and heading to the bathroom.
Ruby’s words lingered in the back of her mind. She just couldn’t bring herself to make a decision…
The next morning, the sun was bright.
Arabella got up, washed up quickly, and headed downstairs.
The moment she stepped out of her room, she came face–to–face with Naomi and Ruby in the hallway.
Ruby looked terrible. Absolutely exhausted, with massive bags under her eyes–the kind you couldn’t miss.
Arabella raised an eyebrow slightly, then looked away and kept walking toward the stairs.
Ruby let out a small, irritated huff, grabbed Naomi’s arm, and started to follow.
But the second her foot hit the first step, her leg buckled. She lurched forward, barely catching herself.
“Whoa-!”
“Careful!” Naomi grabbed her arm instinctively, keeping her from tumbling down the stairs.
Florence hurried over at the commotion. “What happened? Is everyone okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just wasn’t paying attention and lost my footing,” Ruby explained quickly.
Florence frowned. “Be careful. That could’ve been bad.”
“Okay,” Ruby muttered, gripping the railing with one hand and Naomi with the other as she carefully made her way down.
Florence studied her for a moment. “Ruby, are you feeling alright? You look really worn out.”
“Oh, uh… I guess I’m just not used to the bed. Didn’t sleep great last night,” Ruby said.
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Chapter 405 A Decision Made
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Florence looked puzzled. “You’ve stayed over plenty of times, though. Why would the bed bother you now?”
“I don’t know.” Ruby shrugged it off. “Maybe I was just too excited.”
“Come have breakfast first. If you’re still tired later, you should go home and get some proper rest,” Florence suggested gently.
“I will,” Ruby agreed.
They made their way to the dining room, and the family settled in for breakfast.
Alfred glanced at Ruby across the table. “What’s going on with your face?”
Ruby’s hand instinctively went to her cheek. “What do you mean?”
“Looks a little swollen,” Alfred said flatly.
Ruby forced a casual smile. “Oh, that. It’s nothing.” She wasn’t about to explain that Arabella had hit her–that would be humiliating.
Alfred’s brow furrowed slightly but he let it
go.
Naomi jumped in smoothly. “It’s probably just a reaction to a new blush I let her try. Don’t worry about it.”
Ethan chimed in from down the table. “So you’re here helping Naomi prep for her party? That’s fine during the day, just don’t keep her up too late. She needs her rest if she’s gonna be the center of attention.”
Ruby nodded politely. “Of course, Ethan. I’ll be careful.”
Naomi smiled at her brother. “Thanks for looking out for me. Honestly, though, just having everyone here–Mom, Dad, all of you–that’s already more than enough.”
Florence beamed at her. “She’s always been such a sweet, thoughtful girl.”
Ruby nodded cagerly. “Obviously. Naomi was raised by you, Aunt Florence. Her manners and class are naturally going to be top–tier.”
Then Ruby shot a pointed look at Arabella. “Unlike some people. So petty.”
Arabella glanced at her coolly. “If she’s that well–mannered, it’s a shame you haven’t picked any of it up.”
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Chapter 405 A Decision Made
Ruby’s face flushed. “Who are you calling ill–mannered?”
“Ruby!” Alfred’s voice cut through sharply. “What are you yelling about?”
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“How can you be so biased? You didn’t hear what she just said to me!” Ruby’s voice pitched higher, indignant.
Alfred’s expression cooled. “You started it. You think we didn’t notice?”
Ethan set down his fork, his tone flat. “Did you forget what Alfred told you last time?”
Frank added, without looking up, “If you still can’t figure it out, maybe don’t come back to the house for a while.”
Ruby’s eyes welled
up. “I’m
“I’m your cousin too! Why do you always take her side?”
“We’re not taking sides,” Alfred said evenly. “We’re just calling out what we see.”
Ethan nodded. “You should take a hard look at your own behavior.”
Naomi bit her lip, then spoke up, “Ethan, Alfred… Ruby hasn’t been feeling great lately. Her mood’s been off. I’ll keep an eye on her, okay?”
Alfred shot her a look. “I’ve told you before. Spend less time with her.”
Naomi’s face tightened. “She’s still our cousin, though.”
Sensing she was losing ground, Ruby quickly rearranged her expression into something remorseful. “Alfred, please don’t blame Naomi. She’s tried to help me. I don’t know why I’ve been so irritable lately. I’ll do better. Really.”
She turned to Arabella. “Arabella, I’m sorry. I lost my temper and said things I shouldn’t have. I hope you can forgive me.”
Arabella held her gaze for a moment, then nodded coolly. “Just watch yourself next time.”
Ruby felt a hot flush of humiliation crawl up her neck. Being spoken to like that by Arabella, of all people–it was unbearable.
But she swallowed it, forcing a tight smile. “Thank you, Arabella. I appreciate you letting it go.”