Ruby’s POV

I woke up before my alarm.

For a few seconds, I lay there staring at the ceiling, listening to the quiet hum of the apartment. My heart felt strangely light with nervous excitement. Today, my foster mother was returning.

Austin left early to deal with things at the hockey rink. He’d kissed my forehead before leaving, and told me he’d be back soon. I nodded, half asleep, trusting him the way I’d started to do without even realizing it.

I moved through the apartment quietly, ...