Forbidden Passion

Ruby lay in bed, and only after hearing them leave did she weakly get up and head to the bathroom to take a shower.

Ruby felt feverish and kept sneezing under the showerhead.

Ruby was really sick. The usually warm water felt cold against her body, making her shiver. After struggling to finish her shower, she dried herself with a towel.

In the mirror, Ruby saw her pale cheeks and the increasingly visible bruises on her neck.

Ruby closed her eyes and swallowed with difficulty. Her throat hurt so much that it almost brought tears to her eyes.

Summoning her strength, Ruby finished drying off and put on the clothes beside her.

The weakness from the fever made her dizzy. She sat by the bed for a while before heading downstairs.

The kids weren't home, and the living room was empty. Only Ollie came out of the cat bed and circled around her. She noticed the cat food bowl was empty and refilled it before grabbing her bag and heading out. The breeze outside was cool and comfortable.

Ruby arrived at the Building Three. After hesitating for a moment, she rang the doorbell. Soon, the door unlocked, and she took a deep breath before pushing it open and walking in.

Passing through the courtyard, Ruby reached the foyer. A middle-aged man, around fifty, stood at the door. He looked kind and somewhat resembled Elijah.

"Ms. Adams, right? Mr. Ziegler mentioned you'd be coming to cook and clean today. It's still early, so you can start with the cleaning," Trevor Torres said.

Ruby nodded, "Okay, how should I address you?"

"It's Trevor. Mr. Ziegler will need you to take good care of things here. Come in, I'll show you around the villa." Trevor stepped aside to let Ruby in.

been worn away by life. She gave Trevor a polite nod before walking in. Disposable slippers, like those in hotels, were placed at the entrance. She changed into them and followed Trevor as he showed her

Ruby, already feeling unwell,

are

sweat from her forehead and shook her head, "No, it's probably just too hot outside. I'm fine, Trevor. Let's continue the tour." Trevor led Ruby back to the living room, "You're responsible for cleaning the first floor. Mr. Ziegler

ached as if it were being squeezed. "Alright, Trevor, I'll

glanced upstairs, meeting

Ms. Adams

stairs, withdrew his disdainful gaze, and turned away. From now on, he intended to make Ruby pay

while washing a rag. She carried a

all kinds of jobs to support herself and Ethan. Being a housekeeper was one of the better

illness not affecting her progress. After dusting, she took a

stepped on her rag. Fortunately, Ruby pulled her hand back quickly, or Donovan

come downstairs at some point, staring at her with a sinister expression, "The daughter of the Adams family, on her knees cleaning my floor. Never thought I'd see the day." Ruby bit her

her;

the darling of

about shaming the Adams family? If I had a

been cleaning all morning and was already exhausted. She stubbornly said, "Think whatever you want, Mr. Ziegler. Please move, I

Ruby's white shirt, soaked with sweat and clinging to her body, revealing

with his other hand, "Your shirt is soaked.

she struggled, "What are you talking about? I

and Ruby, frightened, closed her eyes. The next second,

"Ruby,

me," ringing in her ears. Her vision went black, and