IVORY KNIVES

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Ruby

She was practicing like the world depended on her rhythm.

Every step, every turn, sharper than the last.

I knew she was improving.

Hell, she was glowing.

And yet… I didn't want to watch.

Or maybe—I just couldn't admit that I was watching. Like a shadow lurking from the hallway, hiding behind half-open doors…

Because if I truly looked at her, I'd see her becoming something I couldn't cage.

And maybe I wasn't ready for that.

I wanted to stay. I really did. But I couldn't.

Tomorrow I had to leave for abroad.

Some business mess. Mom's old company. A mole leaking funds. The usual mafia-level betrayal cocktail.

I was packing my luggage when Leon padded into the room—

My little fur prince with sad, droopy eyes and that dramatic sigh like someone just died.

"Hey, buddy," I muttered, sitting down beside him on the floor, resting against the bed frame.

"Leon, look at me."

He turned away like I'd just kicked his soul.

"Leon… you're not alone, okay?"

I ran my fingers through his fur, gentle strokes.

"You've got Aveline. You've got Mr. Han. Luna. Even Adam and his annoying energy. Why so sad?"

He suddenly looked up and licked my cheek softly.

I smiled. Just a little.

"I'll be back soon. Until then—you protect her, okay? That's your only job."

He barked like he understood. Like he swore loyalty.

I stood up, stretched, and stared at my half-zipped suitcase.

Part of me didn't want to leave. Not this time.

But I had no choice.

Because no one talks about the price of being a mafia queen.

That your enemies don't sleep.

And neither can you.

---

Later, I sat on the couch, scrolling through files.

That's when Aveline came and sat beside me. Her hair still damp from a shower, eyes shimmering with hope.

"Ruby... can't you wait a little longer?" Her voice was soft but pleading.

"Please stay. Just until my performance?"

I didn't flinch.

"I can't, Aveline," I said, coldly.

"You've got your royal dog, your aunt Eliza, your entire family here. You'll be fine."

"But I'm your wife."

That hit like a whisper-shaped knife.

"I know," I said, sharper than I meant to. "You're my damn wife. But this is urgent."

She fell quiet, and it stung somewhere deep—like a bruise I couldn't touch.

I cupped her cheeks gently.

"Hey… I'll be back, okay?"

She nodded, but her ocean-blue eyes weren't sparkling. Just still.

---

Next Morning

I woke early.

Her side of the bed? Cold.

I threw on a tank top, walked downstairs. There she was in the kitchen—barefoot, in one of my oversized shirts, making breakfast like it was any other day.

"What are you doing?" I asked, half-asleep.

She turned slowly. "Making breakfast. Why?"

"For who?"

She gave me a deadpan look. "You think I got another husband hiding in the closet?"

I almost smiled. Almost.

She brought the breakfast over. Surprisingly good.

After eating, I was almost ready to leave when Dad called.

"Ruby, something's off. You have to check this yourself."

"I know. I'm leaving today."

As I zipped up the last of my luggage, Aveline stopped me near the door.

She hugged me from behind and whispered into my ear, "Come back as soon as possible."

I just nodded.

And then I left.

---

Abroad – 3 Days Later

It took 22 damn hours to fly out.

By the time I landed, I was dead inside. My eyes bloodshot. My mind boiling.

I crashed at my hotel for a few hours, then hit the company.

Ben updated me on the disaster.

One of our top members had vanished—took 3 million dollars with him.

I slammed the desk.

"FUCK!"

Everything was spiraling.

My phone buzzed.

Aveline.

I picked up fast.

"Hello?"

"Ruby…" her voice came, soft and small. "I… I won the competition."

I was so deep in rage I forgot who I was talking to.

I snapped.

"Aveline, you called me for this? Seriously?! Go do whatever the hell you want. Want to crash? Go ahead."

I hung up.

Silence followed.

And then came the regret.

A stab in my chest I couldn't pull out.

---

One Hour Later

My phone rang again.

Adam.

"RUBY! Fucking HELL!"

"What?!"

"You did it—YOU MADE HER CRASH! She got into an accident, Ruby! Speeding. Crying. Unconscious!"

I dropped my phone.

"BEN! Get the jet ready. NOW!"

I handed my position to Max without a word and stormed into the airport within the hour.

Another 22 hours.

Longest. Flight. Of. My. Life.

I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.

---

Hospital

When I arrived, I was a mess.

Hair wild, no jacket, Just pain.

I ran into the hospital.

Grandma was there. So were Aveline's family, Luna, Adam…

I tried to enter the room, but the doctor held me back.

"Let her in," Grandma said firmly. "She needs her."

There she was.

Bandaged. Bruised.

Tubes and wires. Machines beeping like death's lullaby.

I walked to her, step by step.

"Aveline…"

I sank beside her, grabbing her hand.

"Wake up. Look, I'm here."

Nothing.

I buried my face in her hand.

Mireline stormed in.

"Because of YOU, Ruby. She's like THIS because of YOU."

I didn't argue.

Didn't blink.

Just whispered, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry…"

"I trusted you to protect her," she screamed.

I looked up. My voice cracked.

"I'm sorry, Mireline. I failed…"

Three whole days.

She didn't open her eyes.

I sat beside her. Slept beside her. Cried in silence.

Her hand—so small, so warm, yet fragile like everything I break.

---

Then… finally.

A soft breath.

A flicker.

"Ruby…?"

My world stopped spinning.

"Aveline?"

I kissed her palm. My voice shaking.

"You're supposed to be abroad…"

"And you're supposed to be safe."

"I told you to crash—and you actually did it,"

I said while holding her hands like if I leave she vanished.

I kissed her forehead, held her tight.

"Don't ever—ever—leave my side like that again."

"You're not allowed to leave me."

And this time, I meant it.

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