"Mm…" Ruby woke with a small jerk, her eyes slowly fluttering open.
Sunlight poured through the window, falling across her face and giving her an almost angelic glow, even though she had only just woken up.
She stretched her arms, parting her lips with a soft yawn.
It took her a moment to remember—she was at her ancestral home.
She had arrived a few days ago and would stay until tomorrow.
This was a yearly ritual, one she always cleared her schedule for.
Ruby never minded it. It was the ceremony held for her late grandparents—a tradition that gathered all the important members of the Vermillion family.
She didn't dislike coming here. In fact, she usually got along well with the children.
But this year felt different.
For the first time, she hadn't wanted to come.
She wanted to be somewhere else. With someone else.
She wanted to spend Adrian's birthday by his side.
She had even talked to him about it, asking what she should do.
