My five ghostly husbands

Seeing her gaze, Julian smiled gently. "Thank you so much for standing up for Karl. Although he talks a lot, it's only with people he feels comfortable around. He's such a crybaby, though, if someone says anything to him." He chuckled softly. "Thanks for today."

Without waiting for her response, Julian walked inside and began sorting through a pile of blankets, his long, silky blue hair swaying gently with each movement.

Ruby watched him for a moment, his earlier words echoing in her mind. Despite the fact that the original owner of this body hadn't treated them well, Julian had shown no resentment, no bitterness. Instead, he thanked her for helping Karl today. He was someone who lived in the present, someone whose past didn't weigh him down.

She knew better than anyone that if you cling to the past, you can never truly move forward. Maybe, just maybe, something you once hated could become the thing you cherish most in the future.

Ruby let out a soft sigh. Even though she had once been wealthy, it wasn't through handouts. She had been a self-made businesswoman, carving out her success through grit and determination. Her life had been a nightmare from childhood through her teenage years, but she had fought through it all.

And now, here she was, trying to make sense of this new life.

Her other clean robe hung limply on the rope with the others. She only had two robes to wear, along with a few undergarments. Ruby grimaced slightly as she glanced at them. It wasn't just the lack of options that bothered her; it was the fact that these clothes belonged to the former Ruby, the one who had been a drunkard, careless with everything. This body still didn't feel like hers.

There wasn't even a proper almirah or chest to store the clothes. Just piles and hanging ropes. Ruby sighed, grabbing the robe as she made her way to wash herself.

As she entered the small, shabby bathroom, her frustration only deepened. They didn't even have toothpaste or a toothbrush—just a thin branch of acacia, which was at least somewhat useful for cleaning teeth. She twirled it in her fingers absently, staring at her reflection in the small mirror.

Her face was blank, her eyes showing none of the frustration she felt inside. But deep down, the urge to make some money had become a burning need.

After finishing her shower, Ruby stepped outside and saw Karl sitting on their foldable bed. Yesterday, they had unfolded it and spread it all over the place, occupying the entire room, but now it was neatly folded, taking up much less space.

Karl held Milo tightly in his arms.

Milo, in return, was gently patting Karl, trying to calm him down. Adrian, however, sat nearby, looking completely uninterested, staring at them with a bored expression, like he had better things to do.

Julian, as usual, was busy cleaning. Ruby watched him wipe down surfaces that already seemed clean. Even though the place was old and worn out, Julian had made it feel like a home. The clothes were neatly hung on ropes, there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere, and the few things they owned were placed neatly.

Ruby remembered from the original owner's memories that Julian loved cleanliness. He believed that if the house was clean, the Ghost God would bless them with happiness, or something like that.

She couldn't help but feel a bit of admiration for him. Even though their home was simple, Julian made it feel cozy and welcoming.

"I am leaving," Ruby said firmly, her voice breaking the silence.

Her four husbands glanced at her, their expressions calm, almost as if they had been expecting it. Even Milo, who had been hugging Karl tightly, looked a bit disappointed as he pulled away from him.

Adrian's lips curled upward, a cold glint in his eyes. As expected, he thought, she will never change. She'll always be the same—an alcoholic.

Karl looked up at her with his already red eyes but said nothing. He was still feeling upset about what had happened.

Julian, who had been cleaning, paused and looked at Ruby with a sad expression. "Take care," he said softly, his voice heavy with disappointment. Deep down, he knew he shouldn't have let hope grow in his heart that his wife might change. He glanced down at his rough hands, worn from years of doing house chores.

After his parents passed when he was just seven, Julian had been passed around between relatives, none of whom wanted to raise him. It wasn't until he promised to eat less and handle all the chores that his aunt reluctantly took him in.

His whole life had been a struggle. When he married, he thought maybe things would finally change—that happiness might find him. But maybe it just wasn't meant for him after all.

Ruby gave a small nod, glancing back at them one last time. There was no point in explaining herself with words. She had to prove herself through action.

Without another word, and with nothing in her hands, she stepped outside.

Ruby shielded her eyes as she made her way through the village. The sun was blazing, making her sweat, and the dry, humid air left her eyes feeling irritated and dry. Every step felt heavier under the relentless heat.

As she walked, she observed the houses around her, recalling what the original owner of her body had known about the village.

The middle-class families lived in small cottages that looked abandoned, as ghosts and witches preferred to inhabit old, decaying things. These homes had an eerie, forgotten look, but they were common enough in the village.

The wealthier families lived in small, abandoned mansions, their beds resembling tombs, and Victorian cars parked outside, which were considered a luxury in this world. It seemed that the more abandoned and eerie something looked, the more it was valued.

And then there were the truly powerful rich families. They lived in old, decaying castles with maze-like layouts, owning luxurious cars and the coveted ecto bikes. Their wealth was measured by how much they surrounded themselves with ancient, haunted possessions.

The strange values of this world were still something Ruby was adjusting to.

As Ruby wandered through the village, she noticed the complete absence of green plants. The harsh, dry climate made everything seem parched and lifeless. Her stomach growled, reminding her she hadn't eaten since the day before. She was hungry, but the thought of the local food made her stomach churn.

In this world, the food was far from what Ruby was used to. People often ate preserved meats, root vegetables, and grains, but what really unsettled her was the frequent use of blood in their meals. Blood was a common ingredient, added to dishes like salt is used on Earth.

Despite her hunger, the thought of eating such food made her stomach churn.

—To be continued...🪄