Ruby's POV
Evie's message still sat beneath my pillow.
"I’m coming."
Two words. Hope wrapped in ink.
But hope was dangerous.
Because Jake felt it.
Sensed it.
And now, he was watching me more than ever.
I wasn’t healing fast enough.
Not physically.
Not emotionally.
And Jake?
He hated it.
"Where were you?"
The question came the moment I stepped back into our room.
Jake sat on the edge of the bed, watching me.
Waiting.
His expression was calm.
Too calm.
Like a blade before it sliced skin.
"The gardens," I said carefully.
His head tilted.
"For an hour?"
A slow, cold shiver ran down my spine.
He was tracking me.
I forced a small nod. Neutral. Safe.
"I needed air."
Jake sighed.
"You don’t need air, love."
He stood, closing the space between us.
His fingers traced o
