your grounded 58
922 Words
Chapter 58
Ruby POV
The second he walked out of that room… I knew. This wasn’t over. Not even close. I stood there for a long moment, staring at the door he had just walked through. My jaw tight. My hands clenched. My own son…Defying me…I let out a slow breath. “Calm down,” I muttered to myself. “Losing control won’t fix this.”
But goddess…He’s getting involved. That’s exactly what I didn’t want. I moved quickly. Straight to where the pouch was hidden.
Pulled it out. Checked everything. Money is still there. Notes, still there. Untouched… mostly. But it didn’t matter. He saw enough.
More than enough,I closed my eyes for a second.“…He’s going to warn her.”,The thought hit instantly. Hard. Because I know my son.
And Court?,He doesn’t just sit back when he thinks something’s wrong. “No,” I said quietly, shaking my head. I wasn’t going to let that happen. I stepped out of my room and walked down the hallway. Each step was steady. Controlled. Even if inside… I was anything but. His door was closed. Of course it was. I didn’t knock.
I opened it. He was sitting on his bed, arms crossed, already looking at me like he was ready for a fight. Good…So was I.
“We’re not done,” I said, closing the door behind me.
“I figured,” he replied. No fear. Just stubborn. He gets that from me.
I leaned against the door.
“You’re not going anywhere,” I said.
He frowned slightly.,“…Excuse me?”
“You’re staying here. No leaving the house. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not until I say so.”
His eyes widened. “You’re grounding me?”
“Yes.”
“For what?!” he snapped, standing up. “For asking questions? For caring about someone?”
“For interfering,” I shot back. Silence hit hard. “You think I won’t?” I continued. “You think I won’t do what’s necessary to protect you?”
“Protect me from what?!” he yelled.
I didn’t answer.,Because I couldn’t.,Not fully.. Not yet. “That’s what I thought,” he muttered.
My patience snapped slightly.,“You don’t understand what you’re dealing with,” I said sharply. “That girl is not just some innocent child.”
“And you know that how?” he fired back. “Because of your little spy team that got caught?!” That hit. Harder than I expected.
“They weren’t supposed to get caught,” I said through clenched teeth.,“But they did,” he said. “And you still think she’s the problem?”
I stepped closer.
,“Three people trained..”
“They’re not trained!” he interrupted. “They’re idiots!”
I stopped.,…He’s not wrong.,But that’s not the point. “She outmaneuvered them,” I said firmly. “Easily. Calmly. No hesitation.”
“So what?” he shot back. “Maybe she’s just smart!”
“No child is that smart,” I said.
His expression shifted. Just slightly. “You don’t know her,” he said quieter this time.
“And you do?” I challenged.
“Yes,” he said without hesitation.
That… That worried me. “How well?” I asked.
He didn’t answer right away. “…Enough,” he said finally. I studied him. Really studied him. This isn’t just curiosity. This is attachment.
Dangerous.
“You’re staying away from her,” I said firmly.
His head snapped up. “No.”
My eyes narrowed.,“That wasn’t a request.”
“I don’t care,” he said. “I’m not staying away from her because you’re paranoid.”
Paranoid.,I laughed once. Cold. “You think this is paranoia?” I asked quietly.
“I think you’re making something out of nothing,” he said.
My gaze hardened. “If you go near her,” I said slowly, “you will put yourself in the middle of something you are not ready for.”
“And if I don’t?” he challenged.
“Then you stay safe.”,He shook his head.
“No,” he said again. “That’s not safety. That’s control.”,The words hit deeper than I expected. For a moment… Just a moment…,I hesitated. Then I shut it down.
“I’m your mother,” I said. “It’s my job to make those decisions.”
“And it’s my life,” he shot back, Silence. Heavy. Unmovable.
I straightened.
“You’re grounded,” I said again, final this time. “Don’t test me.”
I turned and walked out before he could respond. But the second I stepped into the hallway…,I stopped. Because something felt off.
Too quiet. Too still. A chill ran down my spine. “…No,” I whispered.
I turned back sharply and opened his door again, He was at the window. Open. Empty. My heart dropped. “He didn’t?” I rushed forward, looking out. Nothing.,no sign of him. Gone. I let out a slow, dangerous breath. “Court…” He’s going to her. Of course he is.
My jaw clenched as I stepped back from the window.,“This just got worse,” I muttered. Because now, This isn’t just about watching anymore.,Now… It’s personal.,And if he gets to her before I do..
I don’t know what’s going to happen.,But I do know one thing.
I’m not losing control of this situation. Not to her.,And not to my own son.
- Writer
