---
Marcus stood near the doorway.
Watching.
Always watching.
He hated that he had become someone who stood outside her life.
Before all of this happened, Ruth would have noticed him immediately.
She would have teased him for hovering.
She would have asked why he looked so serious.
She would have walked toward him without hesitation.
Now...
She barely looked at him.
And when she did, she looked uncertain.
Afraid.
The woman who used to fall asleep in his arms now found safety beside his brother.
The irony almost broke him.
---
Later that afternoon, Ruth found herself sitting in the garden with Matthew.
"I feel guilty."
Matthew looked at her.
"Why?"
"They look at me like I am their entire world."
She stared at the flowers.
"And I don't even remember being their daughter."
Matthew was quiet.
Then he said:
"Ruth, memories may disappear. But the love people gave you does not."
She looked at him.
"You really believe that?"
"I do."
A small smile appeared.
"Besides, you always liked flowers."
Ruth frowned.
"How do you know that?"
Matthew shrugged.
"I know you."
The simple answer made her smile.
And from a distance, Marcus saw it.
A smile.
One she gave Matthew so easily.
---
That evening, Marcus finally approached her.
Not as her husband.
Not as someone demanding answers.
Just as someone who cared.
"How are you feeling?"
Ruth looked at him.
"Better."
A pause.
"Their visit helped."
Marcus nodded.
"I'm glad."
The answer surprised her.
"You are?"
"Of course."
He looked away.
"Your parents matter to you."
She studied him.
"You don't seem happy."
His jaw tightened.
Because how could he explain?
How could he tell her that he was grateful for the people who loved her...
while also feeling like he was losing her?
"I'm happy you're surrounded by people who care about you."
The honesty in his voice made her hesitate.
For a moment, she almost saw something familiar.
Pain.
Love.
Regret.
But the feeling disappeared too quickly.
"I wish I remembered you."
The words were quiet.
Marcus looked at her.
His eyes spoke so much he did not need any word to answer her back.
---
That night, Ruth fell asleep with a strange feeling.
She had met her parents again.
People who loved her.
People who knew her.
People who had memories of the girl she used to be.
But somewhere in her heart, another question remained.
A question she could not answer.
Why did the man who claimed to be her husband look at her like he had lost her twice?
---
And across the city, the Hamilton family finally held the daughter they thought they had lost.
Their princess was home.