Sunlight streamed lazily through the window, painting patterns on the duvet. Ruby stirred, the weight of the previous night pressing down on her.
She cautiously opened her eyes to an empty bed. A wave of relief washed over her, but this time it was stronger, tinged with a touch of disappointment she couldn't explain. Maybe it was for the best.
Guilt gnawed at her stomach alongside the phantom ache that served as a reminder of her lie. Pushing the thought aside, she squeezed her eyes shut, replaying the events of the previous evening.
A glimmer of hope flickered in her mind when she remembered the plan to revisit the club. The hope of finding the blackmailer through the club's CCTV footage flickered faintly. But a bigger concern loomed – Stefan's reaction when he discovered the truth.
