He glanced between Karl and Ruby. This wasn't how it used to be. Usually, Karl would be poking fun at everyone, trying to sit beside Ruby, fighting with Milo over who got the bigger slice of toast… But now?
There was a canyon between them. A canyon of silence. A canyon Julian didn't know how to cross.
He swallowed and finally sat down, his smile fading.
The food was warm. The room was quiet. And even with everyone at the table… it didn't feel full.
****
After breakfast, as the plates were cleared and the last bits of tea were sipped, Ruby leaned back slightly in her chair. Her eyes naturally wandered to Adrian, who was quietly wiping his mouth with a napkin, as calm and expressionlesss as ever.
But he could feel her gaze.
He slowly lifted his eyes to hers.
"What?" he mouthed, confused by the way she kept looking at him.
Ruby tilted her head and smiled a little. "Did you forget I'm taking you to my office today?"
Adrian blinked, then froze. His napkin paused midair.
