It's been two days since Sebastian left the Kozcivrie household. With the mansion quieter than usual, Ruth was finally enjoying some time for herself... or at least, that's what she liked to believe.
The maids, however, knew a different side of her. Beneath her elegant appearance was a woman who showed little patience for incompetence. Ruth wasn't the type to forgive someone who couldn't even handle a simple task.
Although she now carried the Kozcivrie name, the family she came from was far from innocent. Their hands had never been clean. Ironically, despite the chaos that often followed her, Ruth preferred peace over unnecessary noise.
She was relaxing beside the swimming pool with a few of her friends when her phone suddenly rang.
"Dearest Ashton."
The name appeared across the screen.
A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips before she answered the call.
"Well... this better be good news, Ash." She leaned back against her chair. "You know I won't give a single shit about whatever trouble you've gotten yourself into this time."
Ashton is clearly heard laughing on the phone. "Trust me this time mother. I'm giving you a good news," he sarcastically as he realized Ruth won't be expecting good thing if he calls her.
Ruth rose from her chair, slipping on her bathrobe before excusing herself from her friends and making her way back into the mansion.
"You'd better mean it this time, Ash," she said over the phone. "You told me the same thing the last time."
Just as she stepped inside, a young maid accidentally bumped into her, spilling a tray of ice water across Ruth's robe before she could deliver the drinks to the poolside.
Ruth came to a stop.
The hallway fell silent.
Every maid nearby froze where they stood, knowing exactly what was about to happen.
"Give me a second, Ashton," Ruth said calmly, her eyes never leaving the trembling maid. "It seems someone isn't capable of doing her job."
She folded her arms across her chest.
At the same time, the young maid stood speechless, unable to find the right words.
Ruth's sharp gaze never wavered.
"I'm waiting for an explanation."
A brief silence followed.
"I didn't ask you to stare at the floor, hoping the answer would magically appear..." Her voice lowered. "...or for a knight in shining armor to come and save you."
The maid tried to speak, but every word caught in her throat.
"I... I..."
Ruth's patience finally wore thin.
"Look at me."
The maid wanted to.
She truly did.
But fear kept her eyes fixed on the floor.
Once again, the room fell into silence.
Without warning, Ruth seized the young maid by the chin, forcing her to meet her eyes.
"I'm still waiting for an explanation, little miss."
Her grip tightened slightly.
"Did a cat get your tongue... or are you simply incapable of speaking?"
The maid burst into tears, pleading for forgiveness, but before Ruth could say another word, the head maid stepped forward and stood beside her.
"My deepest apologies, Madam Ruth," she said calmly. "Please forgive her. I'll take full responsibility."
Ruth shifted her gaze toward the woman before releasing the young maid. She stumbled back as another servant quickly led her away, leaving the head maid to face Ruth alone.
Ruth folded her arms once more.
"Francesca..." Her voice remained calm, yet every word carried weight. "I didn't give you this position so you could raise incompetent maids. Am I wrong?"
A brief silence lingered between them.
"You don't want me replacing you like the others before you..."
She paused just long enough for the words to sink in.
"...do you, Francesca?"
Years of serving the Kozcivrie household had taught Francesca exactly who Ruth was.
She lowered her head without hesitation.
"My sincerest apologies, Madam Ruth. It seems she still hasn't learned everything I've taught her. If you'll allow me, I'll personally see that she's properly trained."
A faint, sarcastic smile appeared on Ruth's face.
"I know you will."
She tilted her head ever so slightly.
"But will she?"
Another silence.
"Don't disappoint me, Francesca."
Her smile disappeared.
"You know what happened last time."
"I trust we won't be repeating that mistake."
Francesca bowed once more before excusing herself. The remaining maids quickly followed, leaving the hallway as quiet as it had been before.
Only then did Ruth return her attention to the phone in her hand.
A chuckle came from the other end of the call.
"Now that's the mother I know."
Ashton's amused voice echoed through the speaker.
"You haven't lost your touch."
Ruth let out a long sigh.
"How could I not, darling?" she replied. "People rarely behave when you treat them too gently."
She paused for a moment, glancing over her shoulder. Her eyes settled on the young maid as Francesca quietly led her away.
"Some people need to learn how to stand before they can walk." Her voice lowered, carrying a calmness that somehow felt more intimidating. "It's no different from taming a wild animal."
Ashton couldn't help but laugh.
It was becoming increasingly obvious where he had inherited his personality from.
A faint smile appeared on Ruth's lips.
"So..." she said. "What's this wonderful news you wanted your mother to hear?"
Ashton suddenly remembered the reason for his call.
"Right. About that." He let out a quiet chuckle. "I'm heading back to Italy. Work here wrapped up earlier than expected, so I'll be home sooner than planned."
Ruth couldn't hide her delight.
"Now that's the kind of news a mother enjoys hearing." She smiled warmly. "I suppose I'll have to prepare something for your return. A small welcome wouldn't hurt."
Ashton sighed in relief.
"I just hope it won't be as noisy as Father's celebration."
Ruth walked toward the edge of the pool, her gaze drifting across the garden. Her expression gradually lost its warmth.
"Don't worry, darling."
She watched a group of guests laughing loudly by the poolside.
"Even your father dislikes people who mistake noise for importance."
A look of quiet disdain crossed her face before she continued walking.
Meanwhile, in England...
Sebastian had been staying at Lain's resort in one of its exclusive VIP suites. Every meal and every service had been personally arranged by Lain himself. While Lain remained occupied managing the resort, Sebastian spent most of his days traveling from one meeting to another, barely finding enough time to rest.
It wasn't until the third day that everything finally began to settle.
That evening, Sebastian stood alone on the second-floor balcony, quietly watching the guests enjoying themselves below.
Lain noticed him from behind the bar. Without saying a word, he picked up a bottle of red wine before making his way upstairs.
"I didn't think being alone was your style," Lain said as he settled beside him, pouring a glass for each of them.
He handed one to Sebastian.
"What's with the long face?"
Sebastian accepted the glass and leaned against the railing. His eyes remained fixed on the crowd below as he took a slow sip.
"How did you come to accept all of this?"
Lain didn't answer immediately.
He took a sip of his own wine before letting out a quiet breath.
"I decided a long time ago not to live in yesterday."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"That doesn't change the fact that I was born from a mistake."
He looked toward Sebastian, his expression calm.
"But I won't use that as an excuse to stop moving forward."
Sebastian spared Lain a brief glance before turning his attention back to the crowd below. Music echoed throughout the resort as people laughed and celebrated without a care in the world. He took another sip of his wine, gathering his thoughts.
"You're more like your mother than you realize."
Lain remained silent, waiting for him to continue. He emptied the rest of his glass before setting it on the railing, his eyes drifting toward the ocean.
"There's only one lesson I can give you."
Sebastian's voice was calm, carrying the weight of experience.
"Don't expect life to reward you every time."
A brief silence followed.
"One day... sooner or later... the world you've grown comfortable in will change."
Lain frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
Sebastian rested both hands on the railing.
"There will come a day when life forces a choice upon you."
He looked at Lain.
"You won't like either answer."
"But you'll still have to choose."
Another silence.
Sebastian placed a firm hand on Lain's shoulder before turning toward the hallway.
"Don't dwell on it for now."
He walked away.
"You'll understand... when that day finally comes."
Lain watched him disappear into the corridor before letting out a slow breath. His hands slipped into his pockets as he stared across the dark ocean.
"Just so you know..."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"I still haven't forgiven the mess you left behind."
A pause.
"My family paid the price."
Another.
"My mother most of all."
The waves continued crashing against the shore.
Only this time...
No one answered.
The night slowly gave way to morning as the first rays of sunlight crept across the horizon. Sebastian was already dressed and ready to return to Italy. Before he could leave the resort, however, Lain was already waiting in the main hall.
"Took you long enough."
Sebastian walked past him without slowing his pace.
"You're the one who woke up too early."
Lain scoffed before quietly following behind. The two entered the same car. With the roads unusually clear, the drive to the airport was shorter than expected. By the time they arrived, several bodyguards were already waiting for Sebastian's arrival. Lain accompanied him all the way to the private boarding gate.
"I guess this is where we part ways."
He extended his hand.
"Have a safe flight back to Italy."
Sebastian accepted the handshake.
For a brief moment, neither of them said a word.
Then Sebastian looked him in the eyes.
"You're old enough to take care of yourself."
His voice carried the same calm authority as always.
"Don't let hesitation decide your future."
Lain simply nodded.
"I won't."
Sebastian gave one final glance before turning toward the boarding entrance.
Without another word, he disappeared beyond the gate.
Lain stood there for a few seconds before making his way toward the arrival hall.
Then...
He stopped.
A woman stood several meters away.
Her arms were folded. A sharp gaze met his the moment their eyes crossed. Lain couldn't help but smile to himself.
So...
She found out.
He showed no sign of panic as he calmly walked toward her.
"You got here earlier than I expected."
His smile softened.
"How was your flight..."
He paused.
"...Mom?"