Ruby's mind raced, trying to recall the details Ivy might have mentioned. She painted a picture quickly, describing the stone path, the rose bushes by the fountain, the small bench under the pear tree.
He nodded as she spoke, as if remembering it all just from her words. "I missed that place," he murmured.
Regina gave her a brief, approving smile.
Elizabeth said nothing but watched Ruby closely—thoughtfully.
After that, dinner flowed smoothly—almost too smoothly. Every word, every gesture, felt like a scene in a carefully choreographed play. Ruby sat at the table with the grace of a trained performer, and beside her, Stefan remained composed, but Ruby could sense he was still searching—for clues, for truth or maybe she was just being paranoid and he was just being his usual self.
