Ruby's POV

“Ruby.”

He was already moving toward me, his steps quick, eyes scanning me as if checking for harm.

“Are you alright?” His voice was softer now, threaded with concern.

I nodded quickly, though my throat was too tight to speak. The way his gaze lingered on me, made it clear he wasn’t convinced.

Then he turned to Janis. “My girlfriend decides what she eats. No one else. If I hear otherwise again…” He let the unfinished warning hang in the air.

Janis lowered her head, ...