CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE

"What do you think?" Noah asked as he pulled the car door open. Ruby stepped out, and her eyes moved down the driveway—it was imprinted concrete, a shade grey with a hint of blue. It was curved, and its opening widened towards the house's entrance. The building stood tall but not as majestic or grand as the mansion. The roof was vintage dark, and the walls creamy white, which seemed to absorb the sunlight. The outside was dainty with a stoned half-fence lined with flowers and decorative shrubs. She could make out the forest tree line after a bit of clearing. "It's beautiful," Ruby said honestly as she sucked in the refreshing cool air. She felt arms wrap around her from behind, and she leaned into Noah's touch. "It's not as great as the mansion, but it's home for a while," Noah added with a chuckle. Ruby placed her hand on his before squeezing in reassurance. "It's perfect." It was their new home. The first step in their quest to start over—to look past all the events of the pre