Ruby's POV
The morning after the gathering, Jake was radiant.
He brought me breakfast in bed: oatmeal with berries, fresh tea, and that strange smugness he wore whenever he thought he’d won something important.
“You handled last night beautifully,” he said, setting the tray on my lap like I was his most prized possession. “They believe you’re back. Fully.”
I offered a soft smile. “I’m glad.”
And I was,because every nod, every strained compliment, every cautious glance had told me more than I could have hoped for.
Some believed him.
Some didn’t.
Some were watching me more closely than they realized.
And Jake?
Jake was finally relaxing.
Too much.
He sat beside me on the edge of the bed, hand resting on my leg as I picked at the berries. He leaned in slightly.
“You’ve earned a l
