---
Aveline
We were at the airport. Mireline was leaving for abroad again—handling business like always, and she preferred it that way. I was sad, obviously. Ruby stood right beside me, cold dark aura leaking out like always.
"Bunny, I know I'm leaving. I'm sorry," Mireline said gently. "But I have to go."
"Can't you stay longer, sis?" My voice cracked at the end.
She sighed and hugged me tight. I held her like my whole soul was stitched into her arms.
"I wanted to stay. But you're married now. I have my priorities—that doesn't mean you're not still my little rabbit. I've got to handle things with Dad too, and you know I live mostly abroad now."
I nodded. She was right. She always was.
"Take care of yourself, baby," she whispered. "Make me proud. Chase your dreams, baby."
Then, she leaned in closer. "With the person you chose. Ruby might be cold—but she's perfect."
Tears welled up in my eyes like a storm. I sobbed into her arms, and she patted my back.
"It's my time to go, Aveline," she said gently.
She turned to Ruby and added, "Ruby Sun. Taking care of my little baby is your priority now."
Ruby raised a brow and wrapped her arm around my waist possessively. "I'll protect her with my life, Mireline. I married her. I'll protect her."
"Good," she smiled, hugged Ruby quickly, and left.
I was still crying. Ruby's hand slid gently over my waist—comforting, grounding.
---
Fast forward. Three months later. Exam season.
Back arched like a question mark. Eyelids low. Textbooks and notes all over. Coffee half gone, water untouched. My lips moved silently, panic pressing down on me.
Ruby leaned on the doorframe. "You haven't blinked in five minutes."
I jumped a little. "You're up early."
"Workout. Or I was headed there."
I smiled weakly. "Go. I'm just prepping. Finals in two weeks."
She looked at the chaos on my table, picked up the water bottle. "You've already filled half a notebook and haven't even drank water. Hydrate."
I took it. She just… stood there. Then sat beside me.
"Aren't you—"
"Skipping today. You're more important than leg day."
"You… know literature?"
She smirked. "You think I was raised on guns and suits only? I studied too. I have a brain, shocking—I know."
I laughed. A real one.
"Alright," she said. "Let's start with this one—The Yellow Wallpaper. Tell me why she went mad, and I'll tell you how to make your professor cry."
"You're really doing this?"
"I'm your mafia, not a ghost. Let me be useful."
And we began. One line at a time. One soul leaning. One learning how to be leaned on.
---
I'm giving my exams—and no one dares to look me in the eye. Whatever Ruby did to them, they treat me like royalty wrapped in iron thorns.
It's my last exam. After this... I'm a graduate.
Alia and I were out together. She went inside the café to grab our drinks while I stood outside, scrolling on my phone. The sun was calm but the air around me wasn't. Across the street, just beside a small restaurant, I caught sight of a figure.
Tall. Firm posture. Bold shoulders. That deep red wolfcut hair catching the breeze. The aura was familiar... almost too familiar.
My heart skipped.
Could it be her?
But I couldn't see her face. A woman stood beside the figure—holding a little girl, maybe four or five. They looked like a family. And I... felt like an outsider.
Just as I took a step forward, Alia's voice pulled me back.
"What's wrong, Aveline?"
"N-no, nothing. Let's go."
She looked at me with narrowed eyes, voice turning serious. "Aveline, if something's wrong... tell me."
I gave her a weak smile—one that didn't even try to reach my eyes. She sighed but didn't press further.
As we walked, I blurted out without thinking, "What if someone who said they loved you... was cheating on you?"
She froze mid-step, eyes wide.
"That's unpredictable... coming from your little mouth."
Then her voice turned calm, almost grounding, "Ruby… is she cheating on you?"
I hesitated, then told her about the figure outside the restaurant. She listened without interrupting.
"That might've just been someone else, Aveline," she finally said. "Ruby's swamped with business and mafia politics. She doesn't have time for mistress drama."
I nodded slowly, trying to shake the thought off, letting it slide away like mist on glass.
Later that afternoon, I headed to the studio.
Dance. That's where I focus now. That's where I breathe.
With Aunt Eliza, I've been improving day by day. Step by step, spin by spin—becoming stronger. Even if my heart's still a little shaky, my body knows the rhythm. And for now, that's enough.
---
Graduation Day
The V12 engine roared. Lamborghini. Everyone turned. I knew it was Ruby.
She stepped out, bouquet in hand—roses in every color. And I swear she's the one who put that black rose on my nightstand that night. Traitor.
She hugged me. Whispered in my ear, "My rabbit is graduate. Wanna take your reward?"
And then… kissed me. Full. In front of everyone.
Alia screamed, "Yeah bitch if you're done help me!"
Ruby pulled back, licked her lip. "You taste amazing."
I blushed. Of course.
Then she wrapped an arm around me and led me to the car. Two SUVs parked behind, guards surrounding us. Real mafia romance.
"Alia, wanna come?"
"Nope. I'll stay."
I climbed in beside Ruby. Her hand slid over my thigh, the dragon tattoo dancing on her wrist. My name and a little dancer girl with a mole—like mine. Old tattoo. Very old. But still there.
She's unpredictable. And I hope… she isn't cheating.
Just a thought, right?
---
Weeks later.
No exams. No studying. Just me. And the silence.
Ruby on the terrace, phone to her ear—talking deals and security protocols like she ran the world. I sat curled up. Leon laid his husky head on my thigh.
Anxiety buzzed. Is there someone else?
My vision blurred. Heart raced.
Then everything tilted. I collapsed.
"Aveline!" Ruby's voice cracked for the first time. Panic.
She held me like glass. "Mr. Han! Get the doctor!"
He arrived fast. "Severe stress. Panic attack. Take care of her."
I didn't move. Ruby held my hand like I might vanish.
---
"What's wrong, Aveline?" she asked.
I didn't answer.
Instead, I grabbed her collar weakly, leaned in, eyes tracing that dragon tattoo up her neck.
She sighed. Let me.
"I—don't you dare leave me behind, Ruby Sun," I whispered.
"Never," she said back.
And me?
I wanted to believe her.
---