My five ghostly husbands-Chapter 230 Peaceful

Ruby stood frozen at the doorway, trying so hard not to laugh.

Karl turned back to them, breathing hard, broom still in hand. "That’s how you deal with toxic relatives," he announced proudly.

Julian blinked at Karl’s broom moment and softly said, "...Okay."

That was all.

Ruby sighed and finally went back inside, rubbing her temple. What a day.

🪄

Later that night, after dinner was done and everyone had changed into comfortable clothes, Ruby sat them all down in the living room. The floor was clear, the lights warm, and a small notebook and pen set was placed in front of each of them.

"Alright," Ruby said, clapping her hands lightly. "Let’s start with something peaceful—basic math."

Karl’s eyes twitched. "Peaceful?!"

She ignored him.

Julian sat down neatly and opened his notebook. His posture was perfect, his pen already in hand. Ruby watched him as he quietly wrote down the numbers she said, each one clear and correct.

"Mhm, very good," she said gently.

Milo, on the other hand, was chewing his pencil.

"Milo...the pencil isn’t for eating."

"I’m just thinking!" he said, eyes wide and innocent, as he stared at the number 8 like it was a mystery beast. "Wait, is 8 the one with two circles or the one that’s just a line?"

"That’s 1," Ruby sighed.

"Oh. Then what’s the one with the tail?"

"...That’s 9."

Milo gasped. "Numbers are wild."

Meanwhile, Karl had already slid halfway across the floor, trying to escape without being noticed.

"Karl," Ruby said without even turning her head, "come back."

He pouted. "Why do we have to learn math?! I’ll never use this in real life!"

"Come. Back."

He dragged himself back dramatically. "Math is harder than remembering full words..."

Ruby gave him a look, and he quickly sat up and pretended to focus...only to draw a stickman fighting the number 7.

And then there was Adrian.

He didn’t say anything...just sat quietly.

Ruby gave him a few numbers to solve, expecting him to at least use his fingers or write something down.

But Adrian didn’t move.

He looked at the numbers once and answered everything perfectly...without touching the paper, without even blinking.

Ruby stared at him. "You didn’t even count."

Adrian looked at her and replied simply, "I don’t need to."

Ruby blinked, a little surprised. "Wait... you solved all that... in your head?"

He nodded like it was nothing.

Julian added quietly, "He always answers faster than I can finish the question."

Ruby blinked. "Wow... you’re a natural."

Across the circle, someone cleared their throat loudly.

Hmph!

It was Karl.

He sat stiffly, arms crossed, lips pushed in a pout.

His eyes were locked on Ruby... no, on the way Ruby had just smiled at Adrian. Not a teasing smile. A soft, impressed one.

He hated it.

Why doesn’t she look at me like that when I say 2 plus 2 is 5 with confidence...?

He crossed his arms, sitting up straight like he was about to give a speech. "Oh wow, Adrian is sooo smart!" he said, voice filled with dramatic sarcasm. "Look at him, everyone! Mr. Quiet Genius, solving numbers without even counting on fingers!"

Adrian glanced at him, expression blank. "You’re the one who said math was useless."

"I’ve changed!" Karl snapped. "Changed for justice!"

Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Karl..."

"I want a math duel!" he declared, pointing at Adrian like he was in a historical drama. "Right now! If I win, Adrian has to stop being silently smug!"

Julian blinked. "Math duel?"

Milo gasped, whispering, "Yes! My life was getting boring."

Ruby sighed but couldn’t hide her smile. "Fine. One question each. Julian, you ask. Use the ones I gave you earlier."

Julian nodded and pulled out the small note Ruby had handed him.

"First question for Karl," he said.

Karl leaned forward with too much confidence. He stared at the numbers like they were enemy soldiers. His eyes squinted. His lips moved silently.

"Okay... uhh... carry the... wait—add the thing with the... no, no, subtract... triangle..."

Adrian tilted his head. "There’s no triangle."

Karl didn’t answer.

Julian turned to Adrian. "Your question."

Adrian answered almost immediately. "42."

Julian checked. "Correct."

Karl’s mouth dropped. "What?! Already?!"

Adrian looked at him calmly. "You were trying to subtract a triangle."

Karl stared at his notebook. "Oh."

Milo giggled. "Brother Karl, you were so close to being smart!"

Ruby reached over and patted Adrian on the shoulder. "That was perfect."

Karl’s heart dropped.

He stared at Ruby’s hand... then at Adrian’s shoulder... then at the floor.

Why is this world so cruel?

Suddenly, Karl flopped backwards onto the floor.

"I’ve been defeated by numbers and betrayal," he mumbled dramatically, lying like a fainted ghost.

Julian leaned over him. "You lost one math question..."

Karl sniffed. "And the world turned dark."

Ruby watched him, amusement flickering in her eyes.

But as she stood up to get her notebook, her hand brushed lightly against his shoulder.

It was so quick, no one noticed.

But Karl did.

He peeked open one eye, saw her walking away calmly, and sat up again proudly.

"Hmph! I let Adrian win on purpose. Just wanted him to feel included," he declared loudly.

Adrian didn’t even look up.

Milo whispered, "Liar..."

After teaching the boys, Ruby cleaned up quietly, said a soft goodnight, and went to her room.

The house was silent now. Only the faint rustle of the wind outside touched the windows.

She lay down on her bed, the soft sheets brushing against her arms as she stared up at the ceiling. Her body was tired, but her mind... it was still wandering.

Should I buy a car? she wondered suddenly, her eyes half-lidded as she turned on her side.

And from somewhere deep inside her...her subconscious whispered softly.

Yes.

You should.

Because she couldn’t always let her husbands walk everywhere they needed to go. Not when they were trying so hard to help her. Not when rainy season was coming soon...

—To be continued...🪄

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