Nasty Secret

"Don't expect you can run or try to escape, because this face will always haunt you in your nightmares!" 

Ruby jerked as Eduardo pinned her against the wall behind her. Ruby bit her lip hard, closing her eyes tightly to hold back the sobs of fear. 

Unfortunately, no matter how hard Ruby tried to hold back, tears still managed to escape from her chocolate orbs. How could they not? The intense gaze of her lawful husband seemed to pierce her heart. 

"Wipe those tears away and do your duty as a wife properly! Don't let them think I'm mistreating you!" Eduardo barked, tossing a box of tissue toward Ruby. 

Esli picked up the tissue, pretending to help Ruby clean her face to appear good in front of Eduardo. 

Just as the man made sure Eduardo had left the room, Esli leaned in close to Ruby's ear and said, "If you still want to see your mother, make sure you do everything right."

Ruby nodded, steeling herself. She had to endure for her mother. She didn't need to take to heart all the insults she heard; she just needed to endure.

***

"I want to talk to you."

Ruby looked up, thinking Eduardo was talking to her, but he was looking at Esli. The elderly man nodded nervously, then followed Eduardo. The pastor, who had been sitting with them at the large table, also got up to follow. They were still in the middle of the party. Ruby daydreamed and didn't care about her surroundings; suddenly, she was alone.

Ruby finally stood up, too. She didn't want to wait until they returned. She was there to accompany Eduardo earlier, and it would be strange if she sat alone at the table.

Ruby didn't really know where Liz's father and Eduardo had gone, so she decided to return to the room earlier. She wanted to lie down and contemplate her fate. No one stopped her either, as almost everyone there was drunk.

Ruby left the party's side yard with ease. But when she turned to enter through the side door, her steps halted upon hearing shouts.

"You should be grateful I still let you live after making me like this, Esli!"

Ruby was momentarily shocked and afraid, but then realized the shouting wasn't directed at her. It came from somewhere—not far away, but not meant for her.

Ruby walked slowly to the backyard of the large house—the source of the noise—and saw Eduardo, as well as the pastor who had led her wedding ceremony. They stood before Esli.

"Do you think what you gave is equivalent? You made me disabled for life!" Eduardo pointed at Esli.

Ruby covered her mouth as she was about to scream. If what she heard was true, then it meant Esli was the one who made Eduardo's face look like that. Somehow, the bald old man made a fatal mistake.

"I'm sorry. Then forget my request. I am very grateful for the opportunity you have given me. I hope Liz can bring you happiness." Esli smiled and reached out his hand, but Eduardo slapped it away.

"Go! Take your rotten heart out of here!" Eduardo hissed. Esli nodded, visibly straining to smile despite the insult. He then walked out through the gate at the end of the garden, and Eduardo immediately turned around.

Ruby realized too late the danger she was in. She had been eavesdropping, and her fate would be very bad if caught. She now understood why she had to be there to replace Liz. Esli made Ed disabled. The man harbored resentment.

"Will you keep being angry?" 

Ruby had already started to run, but she could still hear the words spoken by the pastor beside Eduardo.

"Do you think I could forgive him?!" Eduardo snapped again.

Ruby heard it all. She, who was originally going to return to the room, automatically turned in another direction. Ruby followed her fear instinct and planned to flee.

Her husband was angry, resentful, and would never act kindly. Whatever Ruby did would be wrong in his eyes and could threaten her own life. Clearly, Esli had deceived her; the marriage she thought would be an escape from her misery was just a trap!

Ruby wanted to run to the exit, but because she was panicking, she didn't know where to go. Ruby turned the wrong way and collided with a waiter carrying party dishes.

"Ah!"

Ruby screamed in shock, along with the sound of plates and glasses falling. Ruby stumbled and realized her fate would only get worse.

Ruby got up on her own, avoiding all the people crowding around and trying to help her. Regardless of all the dirt on her dress, Ruby tried to run again, but the commotion was too loud. Eduardo, of course, heard everything.

Ruby was about to take a step when someone abruptly pulled back her hand, causing her to stumble.

"Where do you think you're going, my dear wife? Look like you're in such a hurry."