Later that evening, around 9:00 pm, Samantha, Cassandra, and Rose arrived home to find their parents sitting on the couch, looking worried. Mr. Charlotte was crying, his eyes fixed on the time. As soon as they noticed their daughters, Mrs. Charlotte quickly got up and rushed over to them.
"Where's Ruby?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Samantha exchanged a concerned glance with her sisters. "Is she home already, Mom? Why are you asking us about Rose? You know she's the first to come home," Samantha replied, her brow furrowed with concern.
Mrs. Charlotte's tears flowed freely as she struggled to respond. Cassandra and Rose immediately sensed something was wrong.
"Mom, what happened?" Cassandra asked, her voice laced with worry. "Did something happen to Ruby?"
Rose's eyes widened with fear. "Please say something, Dad," she begged.
Mr. Gabriel sighed, his eyes red-rimmed from crying. "She left," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Samantha and Cassandra spoke in unison, "What do you mean she left?"
Mr. Gabriel explained the situation, and the room fell silent. Samantha's face fell, while Cassandra's eyes widened in worry.
"This is bad," Samantha said, her voice laced with concern. "Where could she be? It's getting late, and it's not safe for her out there."
Mr. Charlotte's sobs intensified, and Mrs. Charlotte tried to comfort him. "What if something happens to her?" Mr. Charlotte wailed.
Cassandra stood up, determination etched on her face. "I'll go look for her," she volunteered.
Mr. Gabriel nodded, his eyes pleading. "Please, bring her back home."
As Cassandra left, the family sat in silence, waiting and hoping for Ruby's return. Samantha spoke up, her voice soft. "Mom, Dad, honestly, you shouldn't have reacted like that. Saying harsh words to Dhruv, especially when he's Ruby's boyfriend..."
Rose nodded in agreement. "We don't like the idea of them together either, but because it's Ruby's choice, we're trying to be supportive. We know Ruby hates it when people look down on the poor. In her view, everyone is the same and deserves respect."
Mrs. Charlotte's tears continued to flow. "I just want her back home," she whispered.
Hours later, Cassandra returned home, exhausted and worried. "Did you find her?" Mr. Gabriel asked, his eyes hopeful.
Cassandra shook her head. "No, I've searched everywhere. Still no sign of her." She sat down beside Rose, who tried calling Ruby's phone, but it went straight to voicemail.
Meanwhile, Ruby and Dhruv were elsewhere, unaware of the worry they had caused. Dhruv turned to Jowell, his stepbrother, and asked, "Is this all you can come up with? You said I should prepare a broken house."
Jowell shrugged. "You said you wanted to find someone who loves you for who you are, not for your wealth. I'm helping you with that."
Dhruv sighed, his eyes conflicted. "How long are you going to keep pretending? Just be open with her. Tell her you're not poor."
Jowell pressed on, "I'll tell her, but not now. She'll be upset, and I don't want to lose her."
Jowell's expression turned serious. "Brother, I understand, but you should just explain things to her. You did this to find someone who'll love you for who you are, and you got her. Just tell her."
Dhruv's jaw clenched. "Just drop it, and we'll stay here until I'm ready to talk it out with her."
Jowell raised an eyebrow. "You mean you're going to keep lying to her?"
Dhruv's eyes flashed with warning. "You will stay with me, and if you refuse, I'll freeze your account, seize your cars and house."
Jowell's face fell, but he nodded. "Fine, I'll stay. Just don't delay."
The tension between the two brothers was palpable, their words hanging in the air like a challenge.