Chapter 14

She splashed the cool water onto her face, hoping it would help alleviate the lingering warmth in her cheeks. Taking a deep breath, Ruby attempted to calm herself down.

"It's not a big deal, Ruby," she muttered to her reflection, trying to reassure herself. "He only called you Darling." But deep down, she couldn't shake off the confusion and frustration. Just a few days ago, he had fat-shamed her, and now he was using endearing nicknames. It was baffling and contradictory.

Gazing at her reflection, she groaned, struggling to make sense of it all. "What does it even mean?" she questioned herself. The sudden shift in his behavior left her puzzled and uneasy. She wasn't sure how to interpret his actions, and the conflicting emotions within her were difficult to handle.

Realizing she had spent enough time contemplating in the bathroom, Ruby decided to return to her previous activities, hunger pangs reminding her of her need for sustenance. However, as she reached for the door, her arm was