Aveline
That rain…
The way she said it—it's still echoing in my bones.
> "I'm a beast. I might ruin you."
That voice is stuck in my head.
I was lost in thought until Luna nudged me out of it.
> "Aveline, Ruby's with Obsidian. She's calling you."
> "What? Why'd she send you?"
> "Because you weren't listening. We called you like… ten times."
I blinked, nodded, and headed to the backyard.
Ruby stood there, a shadow of calm.
> "Rabbit, tomorrow we're leaving. Back to the house."
I met her eyes. Something in me twisted.
> "One last ride?" I asked.
She said nothing, just led Obsidian out.
She sat behind me, the saddle warm from the sun.
Halfway through, she handed me the reins.
I stared at her.
> "Are you sure you wanna die with me?"
She nodded, as if trusting me meant nothing—meant everything.
So I took them.
Led the ride.
And for a few breathless moments, I felt alive. Free.
---
Later, I packed.
Leon followed me everywhere, tail wagging, tongue out, licking my hand like I was made of honey.
I giggled. He barked.
And then we were gone.
---
Not in Tuscany.
Not in Eterna Notte with its ghost-stitched walls and lavender air.
Back at the villa.
The House of Luxury Hell.
All white marble and dark glass. Cold. Regal. Silent.
Like it didn't know how to love—only shelter.
Funny.
That's how Ruby feels sometimes too.
And maybe…
That's why I kept waking up wondering if this house would ever warm up.
Wondering if she would.
---
Ruby was in her office.
Again.
8 a.m. to who-the-hell-knows-when.
No kisses.
No lingering glances.
Just silence.
That kind that whispers,
> "I'm protecting you. But don't come too close."
Sometimes, I'd watch her.
She didn't notice.
Or maybe she did—and ignored it.
She moved like war.
Hair tied up. Suit like armor. Pistol clipped to her hip.
She didn't belong to me.
She belonged to something older. Something darker.
Still…
Every time she walked by,
I wanted to touch her.
---
But I was trying.
Trying to breathe again.
To live again.
I danced in the mornings.
The sun barely kissed the windows.
The mirrored room echoed with my music, my rhythm, my pain.
The aching toes. The strained ankles.
Mine.
I wasn't dancing to impress.
I was dancing to remember I was alive.
---
Leon watched me.
Always near the speaker. Tail thudding every time I swirled.
Honestly?
He had better emotional range than Ruby.
I wasn't mad at her.
Not really.
She was doing what she always did—protecting me with silence.
But damn.
It hurt.
---
Luna dropped by sometimes.
She brought sarcasm, croissants, and called Ruby a
> "classic cold bitch mode."
We sat in the garden.
> "You scared her," Luna said, sipping espresso.
"She's falling for you and doesn't know how to do it."
I bit a strawberry tart and whispered,
> "Then why does it feel like I'm falling alone?"
---
That night, Ruby didn't come to bed.
I waited until 1:43 a.m.
Then gave up.
Barefoot, I slipped through the hallways.
Found her asleep at her desk.
Papers scattered. Whiskey glass half-empty.
A letter opener nearby.
Bruises on her wrist. A new scar by her collarbone.
She looked like a painting someone tried to erase.
I didn't speak.
I just draped a blanket around her shoulders.
Kissed her hair.
> "Come back to me," I whispered,
"even if it's just for a second."
---
The next morning? She was gone again.
Office. Business. Silence.
So I got up.
Tied my hair.
Strapped my ankle brace.
And danced.
If she couldn't love me loud—
I'd love myself louder.
---
Aunt Eliza resumed teaching me again.
One afternoon, I danced so hard I could barely breathe.
> "That's all for today," she said gently.
My chest rose and fell like I'd just survived a storm.
Back at the Eterna Notte, I stopped by Obsidian's stable.
Brushed his mane.
He nudged my cheek, like he missed me.
He wasn't the only one.
I was remembering him and giggling he's also a beast but knelt for me.
---
Later, I called Alia.
> "Our final exams are coming, Aveline."
> "I wish I could graduate with you…"
> "Girl, you've got three months. If you want it—go for it."
I laughed bitterly.
> "It's not like uni still remembers me."
> "Please. Your mafia probably owns the school by now."
> "She doesn't." I paused. "Not everything is her property."
> "Mmhmm. But you? You're the girl who married Ruby freaking Sun. One blink and you could make half the world kneel."
I blushed.
She wasn't wrong.
> "Anyway," she teased, "Why haven't you used your evil empire privilege yet?"
> "You traitor," I shot back.
We laughed. She hung up with a "Love you. Go study, dumbass."
I stretched—and saw Ruby standing nearby.
> "You spying, Ruby Sun?"
She sat beside me, serious.
> "You want to give exams?"
> "Yeah. But the university won't take me."
> "Let me handle that."
Her voice was flat. Cold.
But beneath it? The smallest flicker of something softer.
She stood and walked away.
---
Next morning, she was actually asleep in our bed.
Her body relaxed.
But her face? Alert.
I gently played with her short red hair.
She caught my wrist—not hard. Just… held it.
> "You're up early."
> "It's ten."
> "Still early," she mumbled.
She rolled out of bed. Came back dressed in jeans, a shirt, and a jacket.
Gun in her hand.
> "Where are you going?"
She smirked.
> "To your university."
> "To threaten them?" I asked.
I bet...
She just nodded and left.
And I…
I didn't know what the hell she was going to do.
But for once?
I let her.
Because maybe monsters in suits can be your hero too.
Maybe...