Thorned Rose

Family Entanglements and Choices

Under the influence of medication, Ruby Ann's reactions slowed down, and she didn't feel particularly afraid. The man walked to the edge of the bed, leaning over to examine her, and Ruby Ann could see his face clearly. He appeared like a wolf, with the devil's horns actually being a pair of wolf ears. He also saw her. "Hmm, a little fish, what should I do with you?" His voice was deep and magnetic, the scent on him as chilling as a glacier, easing Ruby Ann's suffocation slightly. She tried to speak but found herself unable to, like a fish out of water. The man chuckled softly. "Poor thing, but you're lucky. I don't like dead fish, I prefer my prey lively and jumping around; that's more fun." He took out a pen from his suit pocket, then a lighter, and after lighting it, he burned the tip of the pen for a good half minute. Then he looked at her and said, "Bear with it." Ruby Ann didn't understand his intent. As he extended the pen towards her, she tried to evade but couldn't, letting his fangs graze her neck. With a sharp sound like sand, Ruby Ann winced in pain, silently arching her neck as a whimper escaped her throat. "Does it hurt?" The man withdrew the pen, tapping her forehead. "Afraid of pain? Be less foolish in the future." He gently wiped her sweat with a handkerchief, and Ruby Ann caught a whiff of pollen, feeling drowsy once more, drifting off to sleep without knowing when he left.

When Ruby Ann woke again, the sky was already turning light. Recalling the horrific scene from the night before, she hurriedly left the bed, walking unsteadily towards the bathroom, shedding the gown, putting on her own clothes, splashing cold water on her face to wake up. Looking up at the mirror, she noticed a cigarette burn-sized circular mark on her neck. "Excessive." Unable to dwell on it, she just wanted to leave this eerie place as soon as possible.

Dragging her suitcase swiftly out of the room, she encountered several servants along the way, none daring to stop her, each one avoiding her. The two maids who had offended her the previous day were the most extreme, standing against the wall in fear, heads bowed, making way for her. She couldn't understand the significant change in their attitude. Lifting the suitcase, she rushed down the stairs.

The spacious and bright lobby on the first floor showed no signs of the previous night's chaos. Adam and Alice stood side by side at the front door, their smiles warm and friendly. "Ruby Ann, where are you going?" Adam asked, rubbing his hands. Ruby Ann looked at the man she had called "father" for ten years, his attire sharp, hair neat, smile insincere, making her feel estranged. "Home." Alice, less formal than Adam, stepped forward with a beaming smile. "This is your home." "Is it?" Young and spirited, Ruby Ann couldn't help but be confrontational. She questioned loudly, "If this is my home, can you give me my rightful inheritance?" "You're still a minor..."

"Don't you know I'm not a minor! What were you planning to do to me last night?!" Ruby Ann's eyes widened with tears, unwilling to show weakness to these two scoundrels, she struggled to hold back her tears. "Move aside!" Adam whispered softly, "Carl also lives here, aren't you staying with him?" At the mention of Carl's name, the atmosphere froze momentarily. But she had learned her lesson, no longer naive, clenching her jaw firmly, she shook her head resolutely. "Step aside!" Startled by her cold gaze, Alice hesitated, silenced by Adam. He wasn't afraid of this meek daughter, but wary of other matters. His eyes fell on the mark on Ruby Ann's neck, lips thinning, he stepped aside. Ruby Ann strode out of the villa, silently vowing that one day she would return to reclaim what was rightfully hers. And her brother, when she was capable of taking care of him, she would come back for him. However, ambition alone was not enough to achieve her goals. She hadn't gone far before an unexpected event occurred... Ruby Ann thought to herself, smiling bitterly. Since then, every month she came not to collect debts, but to give money. How ironic.

After walking a stretch of mountain road, she spotted a dilapidated three-story villa, half of its wall plaster peeling off, the other half covered in ivy. Outdoor lights were mostly broken, even two windows had shattered glass. From luxury three years ago to desolation now, the male head's imprisonment led to no income for the family, the female head eating empty meals. They blamed everything on her, the victim. Thankfully, she still had someone to blame, and that was Evan Hunter. Ruby Ann knocked on the door, and after a long pause, footsteps approached, and it was Alice's daughter, Olivia, who opened the door. The household servants had long departed, taking some belongings with them, leaving behind mostly worthless items. "Here, has the money been transferred?" Olivia cut straight to the point. Ignoring her, Ruby Ann scanned the spacious but cluttered hall, making her way upstairs to Carl's room, Olivia trailing behind. "My brother is asleep, don't wake him up. Every time you come, he throws a tantrum for at least three days! Just take a quick look and leave!" Ruby Ann retorted coldly, "Dealing with his tantrums is simple, either with emotions or with reason. You need to teach him. If you can't handle him and find him annoying, then let me take him away." "We don't find him annoying, we find you annoying!" "You even find it bothersome to receive money, no wonder fortune doesn't favor you." Ruby Ann and Olivia argued for three years, almost coming to blows at first, but gradually calming down. Faced with Olivia's provocations, she remained calm, only seeking not to be taken advantage of, not caring about winning or losing. She had only one goal, to gain custody of Carl. However, just coming of age, with no education or job, and carrying the stigma of being a mistress, contesting custody was an uphill battle. She was prepared for a long struggle. The lock on Carl's door had long been removed, replaced by a small hole covered with a rag. Next to it was a basketball-sized hole, which hadn't been there during her last visit. Peering through the hole, Ruby Ann saw Carl, the little guy sitting on the edge of the bed, only half of his dark little head visible. "Olivia, big sister's here, can you please open the door?" "Big sister brought you toys and coloring books. Are you hungry? What would you like to eat?" The messy-haired little head suddenly turned, dirty face glaring at Ruby Ann. "No! Go away!!" "I don't want you here! I hate you the most! I don't want to see you!" "I want my dad! Give me back my dad!! Waaah—waaah—" Ruby Ann listened to his cries, her eyes welling up with tears. Olivia stood by, arms crossed, watching, and remarked, "How is it? Using emotions, using reason! Is it effective? Let me tell you, your brother will resent you for the rest of his life! Face reality!" Ruby Ann nodded, "You're right. It seems I'll have to resort to more forceful measures. Do you have an axe in the house? Where is it?"