Ruby Daniel Sun. Max Daniel Sun. Welcome to the villa of broken warmth.
The villa doors opened. Marble floors. Crystal chandeliers. Bowing staff like we were royalty.
But it wasn't a home. It was just... a pretty cage.
And then—
That venom-dripping voice slithered through the silence.
> "Where were you?"
My jaw clenched.
Liora Daniel.
My father's wife.
My mother by blood.
But never by love.
She never saw me as her child. Maybe it was because I'm a girl.
Max could do anything—break the rules, break hearts—and she'd still kiss his forehead like he was her angel.
Me? I breathed wrong and she'd act like I set the house on fire.
I looked at her. One eyebrow raised. That signature Ruby deadpan.
> "I assumed Father already told you we had to attend Mr. James' party. Your son and I."
My voice came out low. Husky. Sharp. The kind of voice that tells you:
I'm holding back a storm.
She folded her arms, chin up like a queen in a courtroom.
> "Indeed. But it's past midnight. You're a girl."
And there it was. Again.
That cursed line society hand-feeds mothers like her.
> "You're a girl."
"You shouldn't be out."
"You shouldn't talk like that."
"You shouldn't drive a Lamborghini in the rain, Ruby."
I muttered under my breath, "Here we go again."
> "Ruby Daniel Sun!"
she snapped.
I didn't flinch. Just hit her with a bored "Hmm? What now?"
Max was right beside me. Silent. Uncomfortable. He whispered, "Ruby, don't..."
His voice was soft. A warning wrapped in worry.
But I didn't care.
> "You're disobedient!"
Liora scowled.
I locked eyes with her.
> "Mother, are you done?"
Didn't wait for a reply. Just turned, climbed those grand golden stairs, and vanished into my wing of the house.
---
My Sanctuary
My room?
Biggest one in the whole villa. Left corner.
Max's was at the right—same corner, same floor.
But mine? Cold. Organized. Loud in silence.
Watches lined the wall. Keys to my cars sparkled on a tray.
At the far side: my setup.
Dual laptops
PS5 (never touched)
And guitars. Oh, my girls.
Four of them.
Classic
Electric
Rock
That one magical one that sounds like a dream soaked in gasoline.
I threw off my coat.
Kicked off my Gucci heels.
Fell onto the bed like a tired queen collapsing onto her throne.
Sighed.
And then… ring ring 📞
Phone lights up.
Adam Cripps.
My chaos partner. Right hand. Loud mouth.
I groaned.
> "Who the hell is that now?"
Picked up.
> "WHY THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING ME, ADAM CRIPPS?!"
His voice came through casual, smug.
> "Whoa, chill Ruby Sun. As a mafia boss, might wanna know a thief stole our whole stash. About to smuggle it overseas."
I stared at the ceiling. Eyes tired. Rage building.
> "...I'll be there."
Hung up.
Tossed the phone like it burned my fingers.