chapter three

Few days later…

Rain's bar, located on a secluded area, hadn't always done well in business, but ever since Ruth started working there, things changed and the place become more popular by the day.

Her music waś like a spell, capable of calming people's anger, bringing them joy, and making them feel completely at ease with her angelic voice and pretty face.

For some days, Ruth had been missing, the bar owner, Vick, had be worried and had tried calling her countless times , but to no avail.

Customers were growing more restless, almost to the point of tearing the bar apart.

Tonight, the bar was packed again, and with only five minutes left until show time, there still was no sign of Ruth.Vick was already starting to sweat with worry.

Standing on her toes, Vick anxiously scanned the bar, and finally, she saw a figure dressed in black appear around the corner, she couldn't contain her excitement and shouted, “she's here!

Ruth's here!”

Instantly, the bar fell silent. As Ruth stepped inside, hundreds of eyes followed her every time she move, she was a bit taken aback.

After a brief moment of silence, thunderous applause erupted.

That made her feel bit overwhelmed by attention, Naturally quite and reserved, Ruth had always been cautious in this mixed crop, but the regulars had grown accustomed to her presence and enjoyed communicating with her through her music.

Nodding slightly, Ruth sat down at the piano. Instantly, her slender, pale fingers began to dance across the keys, producing a smooth stream of powerful, yet graceful notes that filled the room. The guests seemed enchanted, their worries melting away.

At some point, the music began to change, causing the patron to stop whatever they were doing and fixate

On Ruth as she played quietly. Her expression remained mostly unchanged, her eyes were downcast revealing only the slightest tremor of her long lashes.

The music sound like lament, mournful wail, as if it were crying out in pain, evoking a sense of heartbreak in those who listened.

At midnight, Ruth finished her shift. She'd close her piano lid as Vick approached her.

“Ruth, are you in some kind of trouble?”Vick was a woman in her thirties, warm hearted and sincere.

Ruth smiled faintly, her lips curving into a gentle crescent, “Vick, I'm sorry about the past few days, I…..”

“No need to explain, “Vick interrupted, “If it wasn't absolutely necessary, you wouldn't have done this!”

Vick glanced towards the entrance, not seeing the young man who's always coming to pick Ruth every day, Liam. “Let's wait a bit longer; the person who's always picking u isn't here yet.”

A sharp pain shot through Ruth's heart, but she maintained a soft smile.

“No, it's fine. I'll go on my own.”

There was bitterness and sadness to her tone and smile.

Noticing the change in Ruth's music tonight, Vick, who had seen all kinds of people and event in life, had already guessed what was going on.

She patted Ruth on the shoulder and said, “If anything happens, don't forget you still have me.”

With her eyes filled with tears, she nodded and smiled gently and gratefully.

Rising her head, she saw a tall figure at the door, and the faint smile froze on her lips. Vick followed her gaze to the man at the entrance, he was no longer dashing, handsome as before. He's hair was disheveled, and stubble cover his face.

Ruth's expression disappeared, and suddenly, a cold indifference envelope her. She drifted past the tall man at the door like a wisp of white smoke.

Seeing the distant, ethereal look in her eyes, Liam suddenly felt a sharp pain.

He had a sense that his Ruth was slipping away like a wisp of smoke,drifting out of his world forever.

His eyes turned red in an instant. He reached out with his long arm and grabbed her delicate pale wrist.

“Ruth, we need to talk.” His was hoarse and raspy.

Ruth slowly lifted her eyelid, casting a faint glance at the man or rather, her gaze passed right through him, distant and ethereal. She didn't say a word,just tried to pull her wrist free.

Her wrist was so slender and fragile that it seemed like it would snap with the slightest twist. So Liam quickly released her.

“I was wrong, but I truly love you, I was drunk and mistook her for you!!! Pls believe me”

Grabbing Ruth's hand, Liam shouted, his frustration and self-loathing clear in his voice.He was furious that Ruth wouldn't listen to his explanations.

“Haha….”Ruth laughed through her tears.Her newly dried tears started to fall again, big and heavy. She quickly wiped them away, her bloodshot eyes sharp as a dagger, starting at Liams face as if wanting to cut it open to see if there was blood underneath those masks

“mistook me!!!!?.... You claimed…”

She asked with A sad bitter smile on her lips..

“Can someone truly in love make such a mistake?”

She didn’t want to shed another tear for this man, but the dull ache in her heart was impossible to ignore.

Ruth's laughter sent chills through Liams, her mockery pierceing his heart. He couldn't stand her sarcasm. He tightened his grip on her hand, leaving her wrist bruised.

“Ruth, please tears slipping from his don't do this,”Liam pleaded, tear slipping from his eyes. He quickly turned away not wanting her to see it.

“Take ur hands off me!, ü chronic cheat and lier” Ruth's voice was as cold as ever, her entire body bristling like a porcupine. She yanked her hand from from him and immediately wiped it with a tissue, as if his touch had dirtied her.

“Ruth…..”. Her actions deeply hurt Liam soo much, that he began questioning him self. Was he really that filthy? After all, wasn't it common for men to keep multiple women? And he hadn't done it on purpose!

Ruth's gritted her teeth and growled, “shut it! Don't humiliate me anymore!”

To Ruth, betrayal was betrayal, with no excuse and no chance for forgiveness.

Not sparing him another glance, Ruth straightened her back and walked away with her head held high.

“Ruth…” The man let out a pained cry,his eyes moistening. His moon as truly forsaken him. With the moon, how could the stars shine?

No!

He won't allow it!

He got up and followed her from a distance, knowing how temperamental she can be, to afraid to approach. He wished he could cut his flesh into pieces and feed it to the dogs, the carve out his heart and offer it to her.

But it's too late, Last night, when he climbed into that bed, he had lost that privilege.

Could he tell her that it was because he loved her so much, loved her to the point odlf drunkenness, to the point of madness, to the point where his intelligence was reduced to zero, that he ended up in the wrong bed?

Even he couldn't believe such an excuse, so how could he make her believe it?