To the Love of My Life

When she first returned to the country, deep down, she firmly believed she could successfully marry Steve Burton, help The Gregorys rise to prominence, and become a person of high status in her family.

Throughout this period, she had been working hard and persisting for this goal, constantly believing that as long as she always performed better and pleased Steve, she would eventually marry him and become the mistress of The Burtons.

So, no matter how much humiliation and embarrassment Steve subjected her to, she endured it.

She had always thought that she could bear it, bear it until she became his wife, bear it until her goal was achieved.

But now, she found herself unable to endure it any longer.

Ruby Gregory moved her lips slightly, and a trace of confusion crept into her eyes.

“Ruby…” All of a sudden, Madeleine’s voice came from behind her. Ruby quickly masked her despondent expression, swallowed saliva, and turned around with a smile.

Madeleine and Howard Coleman each carried two plates that held different flavors of cake.

Madeleine and Howard put the cakes on the table. Madeleine shook her somewhat tired wrist, having carried the plate all the way, and said, “Howard and I brought a piece of each flavor of cake for you, Ruby. Take whichever one you like.”

As Madeleine said this, she bit her finger, then raised her head and looked at Howard, asking, “Howard, did you remember the flavors I told you to remember?”

Howard had always possessed an exceptional memory. He raised his hand and started pointing at the cakes on the plate from the left, recounting the flavors for each one.

Ruby followed his fingers, looking at each cake in turn until she heard, “Vanilla cake.” She then took a knife, cut a large piece, and placed it on her plate.

The cake was delicious, but it was too much to eat all at once.

Ruby ate half of it and then put down her fork.

There was still a lot of activity in the distance, as if some game was going on.

Three years later, Madeleine, who hadn’t gained any weight, was still the same as before, trying to eat less at dinner. So she only ate a few bites before stopping. When Ruby and Howard finished eating, she spoke up, “Why don’t we go over there and join in the fun?”

Ruby glanced at the bustling scene in the distance and immediately saw Steve Burton sitting calmly in his seat, lifting a cup of alcohol.

She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but it seemed like Steve was looking in her direction. Ruby quickly averted her eyes, shook her head at Madeleine and Howard, and lied, “I drank some alcohol and am feeling a bit unwell, so I won’t be going over there. You two go ahead and have fun.”

Madeleine and Howard, both being perceptive people, could easily tell that Ruby was actually avoiding a public encounter with Steve Burton..