Chapter 29: Distracting
Ruby shut the door quietly behind her, taking a steadying breath before heading down the hallway. Her pulse was still a little erratic from the close call with the maid, but she pushed it aside, straightening her shoulders as she slipped back into the persona of Ivy.
When she reached the living room, Stefan was already waiting. He stood near the archway, his white cane in one hand. Martin was nearby, handing him a file.
Ruby slowed her steps, clearing her throat softly.
Stefan’s head turned slightly in her direction. "There you are," he said, his voice calm but curious. "I was wondering what took you so long."
Ruby walked over to him and placed a light hand on his arm. "I was in my room, eating," she said, not wanting him to later hear it from the maid and start wondering why she was sneaking and eating.
"Your room? Eating?" Stefan repeated. "You just had breakfast."
"Yeah. But I was feeling a little hungry again," Ruby said with a slight laugh. "I guess breakfast didn’t fill me up like I thought it did."
There was a pause after she said that.
Stefan’s brows lifted slightly. "You? Hungry again?" he asked, a faint teasing tone in his voice. "That’s unusual."
She gave a small shrug, realizing he was listening intently to her tone and breathing. "My period is ending. Maybe it’s that... hormonal cravings or whatever it is. I don’t really know. I just know I wanted more food."
He nodded slowly, a small smile pulling at his lips. "Well, that explains it. That would’ve been helpful to know before I started wondering if you were hiding something."
Ruby’s stomach clenched for a moment, but she forced a light chuckle. "What would I possibly be hiding from you?"