The Traps of the Black Swan (Book 2)

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After talking to Zelda, Ruby Jane walked out of the room. She should be celebrating, running upstairs, and calling Megan to tell her everything but Ruby Jane's thoughts were on something else.

Why was she feeling like Zelda was waiting for her and Lisa to get together? Even if they hadn't visited her, Zelda would have returned.

When she heard Lisa's voice, she blurted out what she was able to discern, "Lili, we have misunderstood grandmother all these years."

Then she shook her head and apologized, "Sorry I was zoned out. You said something?"

Lisa sighed loudly seeing her thinking so much. Taking all the boxes from her hands, he took her to the guest room as he repeated, "The necklace you are wearing is grandma's wedding necklace. I am not sure, it's like it was given to her by her mother-in-law. Mom had this before you."

Ruby Jane: "..."

She didn't know she got a timeless antique piece.

"Ouch..." Lisa flicked on her forehead harder to bring her back to reality. "Why are you zoning out again?"

Ruby Jane pouted her lips in dissatisfaction rubbing her forehead, "I didn't know heirloom kind of things existed." Then she glanced at the boxes and exclaimed, "I became richer." She chuckled in amusement.

'Richer?' Lisa couldn't believe she even thought that. He was about to help her remove the necklace, she suddenly crossed her legs and her back stiffened. "Am I dreaming about everything or imagining all this stuff in a nap? Why are things so fast forward? Shouldn't I take a year or two to accept you, then two or three years to decide about marriage? This is too unrealistic."

Lisa: "..."

'What did grandma do to her?' Lisa thought. He heard her continue mumbling while he removed the necklace, kept all the boxes aside, pulled the dressing table small stool in front of her to sit, and held her face... No, more like grabbing her face.

Before Ruby Jane could flash him a sweet smile, "Ahhh... Lalisa you idiot..." She cried out in pain when he pinched her cheeks harder enough to make her face go bright red and her eyes moist.

He was expecting her to beat him but she started her drama of bawling out. "Lili... it hurts." She slowly shifted to his lap and wrapped herself around him repeating, "It hurts, Lili..."

Does he have to pinch so hard to remind her it wasn't a dream?

Lisa: "..."

He thought for a moment and guessed, "Grandma is returning?"

Ruby Jane stopped her drama and nodded vigorously in acceptance. Then she told him how much she could understand Zelda, "Grandmother isn't angry at grandfather, it was a disappointment. Grandfather treasures the family too much so grandmother didn't want you to leave the house or be against him all his life. That would have broken grandfather..."

She sat on the edge of the bed and continued, "Okay, just imagine. You would have seen grandfather and grandmother living well while you were suffering because of his decision, how would you have felt? Pathetic, right?" She asked.

Lisa thought in the way Ruby Jane said. He felt she had a point and he never thought of it that way before. Not just him, they always assumed Zelda was angry at Jordan for his unforeseen behavior and stubbornness to leave Lisa abroad.

Without waiting for Lisa's response, she continued as though she might forget if taken a small break, "Hence grandmother chose to be away from grandfather so that when we get together, we could consider the fact Grandfather also suffered these years and forgive him.