Complicated

"That sounds very complicated,"

"I feel the same way, my mother once said that she was born and grew up in a small village in China. She was orphaned as a child and raised by a local shaman. When she grew up, my mother trained so she could provide treatment for sick people. But because she didn't earn enough money with that job, she decided to go to Macau and work as a barmaid, which is where she met my father."

"So they met in Macau?"

"My mother said that my father used to be a handsome man and a great gambler. He was rich and offered my mother to come live with him in Las Vegas. When my father lost gambling, he and my mother separated because my father became depressed, he lost a lot of money. My mother decided to move to Henderson, but she realized that she was pregnant and tried to contact my father again to tell my father about her pregnancy. My mother said, when she heard the news, my father felt very happy and he found his enthusiasm for life again in Vegas after I was born. But after my birth, my father's attitude changed greatly. He became very violent and uncontrollable. My mother hoped that my father would change. But no, years after I was born, he never changed."

"So you could say that your relationship with your father was very bad from the start?"

"It's all because of my mother, I feel that my mother always tries to prevent me and my father from getting close. She tries not to let us talk to each other and I only meet and talk to my father who is drunk."

"That's really strange,"

"It's not just strange, but it's really crazy. The only time my father and I met was when my father was conscious. He tried to tell me something, but at that time my mother immediately came and asked me to do something for him. Jake, you know? My return to this city initially without my mother's knows. But the day before my departure, she started terrorizing me and asked me to give up my intention to return to this city. She even threatened me if I insisted on returning-"

"What did she say to you?"

Hearing Aiden's voice behind them, Ruby and Jacob immediately looked back. In contrast to Ruby, who looked quite surprised because she didn't notice Aiden's arrival, Jacob looked calm. For him, it is very easy to detect someone's arrival just by smelling them.

"Aiden?"

"What did that woman say to you?" Aiden asked with a cold expression. Ruby was stumped, she didn't know that Aiden had listened to her story that far.

"She threatened to-"

"For?"

"No, she was just angry and asked me to immediately-"

"She threatened that she would send black magic to everyone you would meet in this city?" Aiden said firmly. Ruby and Jacob were surprised to hear Aiden's statement.

"She didn't-"

"Ruby, stop continuing to deny the truth. I know you already know that your mother is a witch and that all the tragic deaths and terror that have occurred in this city were your mother's doing."

"Aiden, never mind! It's best not to talk about that now!"

"Look, this city has become very quiet after dozens of people died mysteriously and most of them decided to move to other cities. They still think that this city is still cursed after hundreds of people expelled the woman who was accused of being a witch. I don't want to blame you, Ruby. I I won't punish you with hatred and torture like that bastard did. I just want to admit who you really are, that way I will help you."

Jacob looked at Aiden carefully, even though Aiden's words sounded wise like a hero defending the truth. However, he felt that Aiden was hiding other intentions.

Ruby lowered her head with her body shaking, what did she really have to admit? All the memories she had felt vague and unclear. The only memories that are still very clear are memories of things that have nothing to do with several important events, including her death.

"Did I really die?" Finally this question came out of her mouth. Dead? Has she died and been resurrected by her mother? But why can't she remember the memory of death at all?

Aiden and Jacob looked hesitant to answer her question. They have a consideration that is difficult to explain.

"What's wrong? Why don't you guys want to answer? If you want me to admit everything about who my real mother is, wouldn't it be easier if you told me that I died?" She said. The body shivered, the tightness came again and this time it felt very strong.

"Ugh-" Ruby held her chest which felt painful.

"Ruby? Are you okay? Ruby?" Jacob tried to help her.

Ruby felt her body stiff and difficult to move, slowly her eyes began to blur until she could no longer see Jacob's face who was trying to call her. But before her consciousness disappeared completely, she could still see Aiden's face, which was faintly visible. Aiden looked at her with cold and cruel eyes, but somehow those eyes looked familiar.

"Black Wolf?" She thought. Yes, she could still remember that the look in the black wolf's eyes was exactly the same as Aiden's.

***