Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 573

As if on cue, Frieda picked up the ladle and began serving Ruby a bowl of soup. “Yes, you have to taste this first.”

A bowl of creamy white fish chowder was placed in front of Ruby. It looked remarkably similar to the one she remembered.

Without a word, she took the bowl and brought it to her lips for a small sip.

Hanley leaned in, his eyes shining with anticipation. “Well? What do you think?”

Ruby’s expression remained unchanged. She gave a slight nod before pushing the bowl aside.

Watching her, Frieda shot a nervous glance at Flora, the housekeeper, who was standing anxiously nearby. *She took lessons, didn’t she? But Ruby’s reaction… she clearly doesn’t like it.*

“Maybe it’s not to your taste. Try something else,” Hanley said quickly, using the serving fork to place some eggplant on Ruby’s plate. His face was creased with an overly eager smile.

Ruby glanced at the chowder one last time and didn’t touch it again. There was ginger in it—one of the ingredients she despised, and one her grandmother would never have used.

She didn’t refuse Hanley’s offering, even taking a small bite of the eggplant. But she frowned slightly as she chewed, washing it down with a few sips of water.

Garlic.

By the end of the meal, she had left half a bowl of rice, and the food Hanley had served her was barely touched.

An awkward silence fell over the table as the others exchanged uneasy glances.

Frieda was at a loss. Everyone had their own tastes, of course, but Flora was the best cook she could find. Surely Ruby could have eaten *something*.

Noticing Hanley’s accusing glare, Frieda felt a surge of indignation, and her expression soured.

“Ruby, is it that you don’t like the food, or is it that you just hate the fact that I made it for you?” Frieda blurted out just as Ruby stood up to leave.

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