Mr. Evans surprised after learning what had happened to Ruby but he didn't react much as he felt that could serve as her punishment. Even when the servants pleaded with him to let the doctors attend to Ruby, he refused. Everything was clear that Ruby suffered more injuries than Christabel. Most of the servants felt bad for her but what could they do, they were just some lowly servants. They used the normal method to clean her wounds and applied some ointment to her disfigured face. It was a heart wrenching sight as she cringed in pain at the slightest movement on her face. Ethan rushed to his father and questioned him
" What is the meaning of this dad, Ruby is also your daughter "
Mr. Evans answered in a cold voice
"Your twin is lying there fighting for her life and you are speaking for someone else."
Ethan shot back
" That someone is also my sister, your daughter. Chrissy is not your only daughter"
Mr. Evans frowned and asked
" When did you start meddling in her business "
Ethan didn't answer and only said
"I hope you don't regret this dad "
With that, he turned and left leaving Mr. Evans to his thoughts.
In the end, Mr. Evans was still adamant and didn't listen to his son. He went and questioned his wife about why she did that to Ruby and Layla created an excuse saying she was blinded by anger and did it on impulse. She went further as to cry crocodile tears which made Mr. Evans forgive her.
A day later, Christabel was finally ok, and the first she said was
" Dad,.... I want justice, Ruby hurt me.... Please punish her for me. If she is not punished, she would come back and repeat it again and again "
Mr Evans said to her
" Don't you worry, she had already been punished "
But Christabel wouldn't buy that. She insisted
" No no, I know Ruby, she would come back for revenge at the slightest punishment, make it harsh dad "
Mr. Evans wanted to refuse but Christabel begun crying and kicking her leg around, throwing tantrums that this was injustice. At the critical moment, Layla stepped in and added fuel to the fire
" is this what you mean by you love me and my children. They had suffered a lot in the most important years of thier life and you promised them comfort and protection. Now she is suffering injustice and you are here portraying the meaning of what you meant by you would protect them "
Mr. Evans felt conflicted but still gave in
" Ok, what do you want me to do to her "
Christabel secretly smirked and thought her mother's plan was really perfect. She said timidly
" Dad just let her apologize to me and i wont press on this matter again. I think that is ok "
Layla added
" If she refuses, don't let her off "
Mr. Evans nodded and called one of the servants to call Ruby. The servants nodded but was trembling inside. She wanted to tell Mr. Evans that Ruby was still not feeling well and was burning with fever but she chose to keep quite knowing the slightest slip of tongue could cost her, her work. Layla was thrilled, they all knew the stubborn nature of Ruby and knew she definitely wouldn't apologize. Giving Mr. Evans temper, he would be lose his temper if Ruby defiles his orders and do the unimaginable. Soon Ruby came to the room. Just walking was very difficult for her but she still managed to maintain her composure. She was about yo talk when her father said
" I am giving you a chance, go to your sister and apologize to her right now "
Ruby coughed slightly and said in a confident tone
" Firstly Mr. Evans, she is not my sister and Secondly, I am not going to apologize for nothing I have done. I don't go around, telling some lunatics sorry. What would that make me "
The room fell into silence with Ruby's words, and Mr Evans was fuming in anger. He gritted his teeth's tightly and said
" Ruby, take those words back right now "
Ruby was feeling weak but still managed to talk with her head high
" The words are already spoken and I don't take back my words "
She was really pissed off this time, she had done nothing wrong yet her head had been brutally hit on the bedstand. Her father probably knew what happened but chose to remain silent. There was no doctor attending to her wounds and she was now burning with fever. They didn't even know the whole story. Now they call her and demand an apology, this was in fact the funniest joke she had ever heard. Who did they take her for. She would never forget what Layla had did to her as it hurts her very much. Was she like an animal to them. But one thing was for sure, whatever they thought of her, she would never bow down her head to them. She waas a human being for God sake with pride and dignity.
Mr. Evans trembled in anger
" You sure have some nerve now right to be talking to me like that. Young lady it is either you apologize to her or leave the house and fend for yourself for a week "
Ruby smiled triumphantly like she had won a lottery making her look like a lunatic. Everyone was baffled. Christabel quickly said in a not so panicked expression
" No dad, if, if sister doesn't want to apologize, is ok I won't pursue the matter anymore. Please don't send her out "
Ruby said in irritation
" Oh cut the crap girl.No one is asking for your opinion. You look ugly in that pretense"
Mr. Evans said angrily
" See, why are you trying to protect her. She is so unfilial..... She.... "
Before he could finish Ruby said nonchalantly
" Don't worry sir, I need no one's pity. I chose the latter. I would rather fend for myself a whole week even years that to bow down to them "
Mr. Evans felt like, Ruby was going to be the death of him. He wanted to disown Ruby, but he couldn't bring himself to do that to his child so he said
" Oh good, since you are good with it go and live on your own. Once you face the harsh world and come back to your senses you would be more obedient and apologize to your sister "
To Mr Evans, this was the only best punishment that could reform his troublesome and arrogant child. He knew that normal punishment like beating, kneeling or even hunger strikes doesn't work on Ruby. He felt that after te accident, Ruby had turned over a new leaf. Maybe facing the real world alone at such a young age could bring her back to her senses. Expecially with her disfigured face, he believed she would run back to him in less than 3 days.
But Ruby was thinking differently. She could now leave with uncle Gary. This was a great news. She had even secretly recorded her father's words hoping to use it as an evidence against her father in the future.
Before Mr. Evans could talk, she rushed to her room and took her school uniforms, few clothes, two shoes and her smart phone.
Then just like that she went.
Perhaps if Mr Evans had known that this would be tine last time he saw his daughter again, he might have reconsidered his decision