Ruby's POV
I used to stand tall.
Used to speak without thinking.
Used to laugh freely.
Now, I measure every breath.
Every movement.
Every word.
Because with Jake
Everything is dangerous.
And I never know when he’ll snap.
"Where were you?"
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
I stiffened, gripping the back of the chair.
"I just went outside for a walk."
Liam tilted his head.
"A walk?"
His silver-blue eyes burned into mine.
I forced myself to nod.
"I needed air."
His lips curled into a slow, lazy smirk.
"You needed air."
I swallowed.
Because I knew that tone.
The mocking edge.
The unspoken warning.
"You didn’t think to tell me?"
"Jake, I—"
"Don’t lie to me, Ruby."
The words cut through me like a blade.
My hands trembled.
"I’m not lying."
His smirk vanished.
The sh
