(Ruby's POV)
I find Liam in the garden the next morning.
He's pretending to prune the roses, but his hands are shaking. His eyes keep darting to the windows, to the doors, to the shadows. He looks like a man waiting for something bad to happen.
Maybe he is.
I walk toward him slowly, my shoulders hunched, my face soft. The performance starts now.
"Liam," I say, my voice small. "Can I talk to you?"
He looks up, surprised. "Ruby? What's wrong?"
I glance around, making sure no one is watching. Then I step closer, lowering my voice.
"It's Nicholas. I'm scared of him."
Liam's eyes widen. "What do you mean?"
I let my lip tremble. I let my eyes fill with tears. "He's been so different lately. Angry. Distant. He barely looks at me anymore."
Liam sets down his pruning shears. "Ruby, I told you. He's not who you think he is."
