A MAZE OF GREED

Ruth was beyond shocked and even scared after hearing Douglas and Theodora's conversation. She could not believe that her biological mother, dared to poison Edwin, her own family.

She felt dizzy, replaying that thought in her mind.

How did she not notice it? She was applying those medicinal pastes on his wounds twice a day, and not a single time she doubted their authenticity.

Then she recalled the day when Theodora accused her of tampering with Edwin's medicines. Tears gathered in Ruth's eyes as she remembered how Edwin endured that gut-wrenching pain, just to prove her innocence in front of Theodora.

Ruth covered her mouth to repress the sob. Theodora had it all planned well. She was trying to spin a web for Ruth. It was only Ruth's good luck that she found that bottle and heard their conversation accidentally.

Ruth had no idea that she would get to hear Theodora's evil plans when she went to find Ida as she was working in Theodora's building at that time.

And another shocking thing that left Ruth flabbergasted was the way Theodora and Douglas kissed each other.

Ruth thought that only her father was wronged by Theodora for her selfish reasons but she was wrong. Augustus was no exception to that vile woman's cheating.

Ruth held her hands in front of her. They were trembling slightly. Ruth felt disgusted that that wicked woman's blood rushed in her veins, mixed with the blood of her father.

She wished she could separate their blood and keep only her father's. Theodora had crossed all her limits. Ruth was not much concerned about her cheating on Augustus.

But the moment Ruth heard that Theodora tried an attempt on Edwin's life, she became Ruth's archnemesis. Ruth was done being considerate. She had given Theodora many chances, but if she was trying to put her finger on the man Ruth loved, then Ruth would not hesitate to cut her hand before she succeeded.

Ruth wished Mrs Payne was there to tell her what she should do. She closed her eyes as tears flew freely on her face.

-"A secret of a healthy relationship is not keeping any secrets."-

Mr Payne had once told her. And that did the trick. Ruth had already made up her mind. This war between her and Theodora was now not only limited to Ruth's personal revenge.

Seeing Douglas with Theodora and the way he spoke and discussed everything so casually, made Ruth realise that she had many enemies that she did not identify just yet.

They were undeserving of mercy or second chances. They were all driven by their selfish motives and would not hesitate to go to any extent to get what they want.

Ruth also realised that she could not stand a chance in front of them with her current way of thinking. She needed to change, she needed to be a better version of herself. And to deal with those moralless bunch of people, she needed to mould her own set of morals and values.

She had to do it for herself, her self respect, her ambitions, for the man she loved and for her father. And she would not back out now... never!

Ruth wiped her tears and marched straight to Edwin's office. She knocked on the door before opening it and saw him drinking a rufous coloured liquid which she had seen him drinking many times.

He once asked her to taste it, but she did not find it much appealing to her taste buds.

As soon as Edwin noticed her, he put the glass of wolfsbane potion down and took long strides towards her, crossing the distance between them.

He stretched his hand and pulled her in him. His lips crashed on hers, missing the taste of them before.

Ruth let him have his way as she also needed him as much as he needed her. They relished some moments in each other's arms, their lips playing skillfully on the pitch of passion.

Ruth made a small noise at the back of her throat when she came short on air. Edwin groaned yet pulled away to see her face reddened and eyes turned watery.

He held her face between his palms and rested his forehead on hers.

"I am sorry!" He whispered above Ruth's loud gasps for air while he remained composed.

"It-its alright." Ruth said.

Edwin guided her to the couch, and they both sat side by side, their sides pressed together.

Edwin lifted her hand and planted a tender kiss on its back.

He let her take time to catch her breath, and when she did, he asked, "Missed me?"

Ruth stared at that harmless smile on his face. She wondered if Edwin had any slightest idea about the poisonous snakes roaming around him. And if he did, then how did he survive all these years taking their venomous bites?

"Ruth?" he called her name as he saw a thin layer of moisture at the brin of her eyes.

Ruth touched his cheek then gently rubbed her thumb beside his sharp nose. She could not help but pecked him again on the lips.

But her actions confused Edwin.

"Ruth tell me what is wrong before my brain starts coming with all the negative possibilities." He said in concern.

"I am so sorry Edwin." A tear rolled down her face.

"What? Why?" Edwin was now more confused than before.

"Edwin... I know that you find it ridiculous but... your medicines... they had poison in them."

Ruth's words hit him like a bucket of cold ice thrown at his face. How did she get to know?

"Lady Theodora, she sent Fannie to the physician to mix the poison in your medicines. I do not have any proof that Lady Theodora has something to do with the physician's death, but I believe that she has...

That man was innocent Edwin. He had no idea about her plans. I think... I think that the bottle I found.. must be the same poison. When I showed that bottle to him, he looked pale because he had figured it all out. He perhaps went for confrontation and..."

Ruth sobbed, blaming herself that if only she had been more attentive, then she might have stopped all of this.

I feel guilty, Edwin! I should have been more careful but... I could not imagine that someone would try to poison you... to k-kill you. I cursed myself for not asking the physician why he was bothered then persistently. If only I had seen the red flags then..."

Edwin pulled her close to his chest, and Ruth broke down. She kept chanting that she was sorry, while Edwin held her tight and ran his hand on her back soothingly.

Minutes passed before Ruth finally calmed down. When she pulled away from Edwin, she asked, "I wonder why you did not feel anything with those medicines yet you felt pain by the ones Mrs Payne gave?"

Edwin's shoulders tensed.

"Because she knew that I was being poisoned."

Ruth looked at him aghast. She now completely pulled away from him, ignoring the opposition from her body.

"She knew?"

Edwin nodded his head.

"Her medicines hurt because they were the antidote of that venom. She herself told me this during our conversation."

Now the wheels in Ruth's brain began running faster. The past incidences now made good sense to her.

"You mean... you all knew about it and yet nobody cared to tell me?! Even you!"

Edwin did not miss the hint of anger in her voice.

"Ruth, we did not tell you because we did not want you to worry about it."

Edwin tried reaching for her hand, but she swatted it midway. Glaring at Edwin, she exploded.

"I am sick of you all trying to treat me like a glass doll. You think that I will crack with the slightest of touch, but you do not realise that the more the glass is heated the stronger it becomes.

I am not a kid or fool, nor I am defenceless. I have survived all these years without you all, and see I made through it just fine! So stop treating me like a backless person because even if you have good intentions, it is not helping me at all."

Edwin understood why Ruth was so frustrated. He would have acted the same if he was in her place.

"It is a full moon night after two days. Will you come with me somewhere where I can tell you everything once and for all?" Edwin asked with a mix of determination and nervousness.

Ruth gazed into his eyes for a minute before she made her decision.

"Are you trying to fool me again?"

"No!" Edwin shook his head. "If I fail to answer your questions this time then... then I am ready to recieve any punishment you will give."

Ruth felt the sincerity behind his words. So she agreed.

"Alright!"

"Thank you!" Edwin said genuinely. Ruth did not reply to that as she still had doubts about it.

But right now, she was more concerned about something else.

"What are you going to do with Lady Thedoora now?"

She waited for his answer, and when he shook his head with a passive face, she knew that something broke inside her.

"Nothing! Forget about it."