My five ghostly husbands-Chapter 227 Very guilty

Ruby finally returned home, her arms full of shopping bags and her forehead damp with sweat. She walked into the living room and placed everything on the table with a small sigh of relief.

Wiping her face with the end of her sleeves, she called out, "I’ve brought a few things. Sort them out, okay? I’m going to take a quick bath."

Julian, who had just stepped into the room, nodded quietly. "Alright," he replied softly.

As Ruby disappeared into the bathroom, Julian walked over to the table and began sorting through the bags.

His fingers paused when he saw it...the same soap he had asked her to bring last week.

She remembered.

His smile slowly grew wider. He didn’t say anything, but the warmth spread quietly across his chest. As he pulled out more items, he noticed she had picked up everything they needed..facewash, washing powder, and even extra small things they hadn’t asked for.

And then... he saw the notebooks.

Four simple A4 notebooks, stacked neatly, one for each of them. Along with a pouch of sketch pens and a few storybooks.

Julian’s fingers gently touched the cover of the top book. His eyes softened.

He couldn’t wait to read them.

As Julian continued sorting the items with calm focus, little footsteps padded softly across the floor behind him.

Milo.

He peeked over Julian’s shoulder and spotted the storybooks. His eyes lit up instantly, shining with curiosity and joy. "Story books!" he whispered, excited.

Before Julian could say anything, Milo gently picked up one and opened it with both hands, his eyes wide as he began flipping through the pages.

There were pictures—simple little illustrations scattered between the words. Milo didn’t even read the text. He just looked at the drawings, slowly turning the pages, his expression soft and dreamy.

He sat down on the floor cross-legged, completely lost in the world of pictures.

Just then, Ruby stepped out of the bathroom, drying her wet hair with a towel. Her fresh face looked relaxed, but her eyes instantly caught the sight of Milo on the floor, holding the book.

She watched him for a moment.

He was so focused on the illustrations. The stories were simple, but the drawings...though cute—weren’t perfect.

Ruby tilted her head slightly, a quiet idea sparking in her mind.

They’re good... but they can be better...

A slow smile formed on her lips.

What if I create my own children’s storybooks? With better art, sweeter stories... Something that sells quietly but keeps growing... A passive income, maybe?

She stood there, towel still in her hand, as the idea slowly bloomed inside her head like a tiny new dream.

One she could actually make real.

Ruby was good in digital art. She had practiced enough to know how to make clean, soft illustrations. But even she knew...she couldn’t spend too much time on it. Not with everything else she had to manage.

Maybe I should look for an artist instead... she thought, her eyes lighting up with a new spark of interest. Someone could help bring her stories to life while she focused on growing everything else.

But for now, she put the thought aside. There were too many things waiting for her already.

She turned and walked toward her room.

Her steps were calm, until she noticed something odd.

Karl’s room door was slightly open. And from inside, a messy black head slowly peeked out. His eyes looked left... then right... checking carefully like a thief escaping a robbery.

Ruby raised her eyebrow and stopped.

Karl sighed in relief, thinking the coast was clear. He tiptoed out of the room, his hair slightly messy.

"Hi," Ruby said suddenly, smirking from the hallway.

Karl froze.

His eyes widened in horror.

She had caught him.

"Did you wake up only now?" Ruby asked, staring at him with a speechless look on her face.

She had been up since early morning, checked on the renovation, went to the market, paid bills, bought house items, notebooks, and even had a bath. And now... it was almost afternoon.

Karl stood there, caught like a lazy cat sneaking out of bed. His eyes darted to the side, then to the floor. His lips parted like he wanted to explain but no words came out.

He looked guilty.

Very guilty.

"...Maybe," he muttered under his breath, scratching the back of his head.

Ruby crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, trying not to smile. "You slept through breakfast, noise, people talking, even Milo running around and you still look tired."

Karl looked up at her with his best sad puppy face. "I was resting my eyes," he said quietly, trying to sound innocent.

Ruby raised one brow. "For five hours?"

He looked down again, rubbing his neck. "They were... very tired eyes."

She sighed, holding back a small laugh.

Karl peeked at her again. "Are you mad?"

Ruby stared at him for another second, then walked closer.

"I should be," she said calmly. "But I brought you something."

Karl blinked. "You... did?"

Ruby gave a slow smile, the teasing kind. "Yes. But now I’m thinking... maybe I should give it to someone who wakes up before lunch."

The moment Karl heard her words, something in him snapped.

He pointed a finger at her with full drama, his eyes wide and fiery.

"Hmph! Even if you don’t give it to me... I’ll still take it!" he declared, glaring at her like a proud, betrayed prince.

Then, without waiting for her reply, he stormed past her...shoulders high, chin up, walking like an arrogant cat who just knocked something off a shelf.

Ruby blinked, watching him go with a straight face.

She shrugged her shoulder. "Okay then," she said simply, not even chasing after him.

And with that, she turned and walked calmly into her room, leaving the Karl to sulk in the hallway alone.

As Ruby walked away without a care, Karl stood there in the hallway, arms crossed and face scrunched in frustration.

He watched her disappear into her room and then muttered under his breath, "Hmph... stupid wife..."

He looked away, nose slightly up in the air. "She always makes fun of me... always teasing me like I’m some little kid..."

He kicked the floor lightly with his toe.

"I don’t like her at all," he grumbled, voice low and pouty. "Not even one bit."

But even as he said it, his eyes quietly shifted toward her closed door.

And deep inside... his heart was still beating a little too fast.

—To be continued...🪄

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