ra could hardly believe the absurdity of it all. Would her family ever let up?


    Before she could dwell on it, Johnny''s voice cut through the air, heavy with usation. "If Quinn loses this baby, it''s all on you."


    ra''s eyes narrowed. There was no way anything was going to happen to Quinn''s baby on her watch.


    She headed back to the Bradford house, and even before stepping inside, she overheard Naomi fussing over Quinn.


    "Quinn, you need to eat something. Simon''s on his way."


    Quinn was perched on the couch, shaking her head, but when ra walked in, there was a quick sh of something sly in her eyes. "ra, what brings you back?"


    ra''s gazended on Quinn''s stomach. She was not yet showing, betraying nothing.


    Quinn caught ra''s look and shrank back toward Naomi.


    Naomi immediately jumped in, shielding Quinn as if ra were a threat. "ra, what''s with that look? If you even think about harming her baby, you''ll have me to deal with!"


    The distrust and malice in Naomi''s eyes sent a chill through ra.


    Was this really her family? How could parents treat their daughter like this?


    She moved forward, spotting Ryan nearby.


    Ryan let out a derisive snort and turned away, though he awkwardly tried to y peacemaker.


    "ra, you can see for yourself, Quinn''s pregnant. You and Simon are never happening. Best to just settle with Nate. Mom''s already given the green light for your wedding. Once Quinn''s is done, it''s your turn."


    ra settled into a chair, calm and collected, before turning to Ryan. "Do you actually want Nate as your brother-inw?"


    Ryan was momentarily speechless. Anyone could see Nate was a no-good troublemaker with a lousy reputation. His eyes flicked to Quinn''s, and he quickly looked away. "ra, I think you''ve been a bit out of lely. Maybe you need a guy to straighten you out."


    ra didn''t hesitate; she pped him right across the face.


    Ryan grabbed his cheek, fuming as he leapt up from the couch. "You hit me for no reason every time! I swear, something''s wrong with you! Have you lost your mind because Simon dumped you?"


    Quinn''s eyes gleamed at his words, and she snuggled closer to Naomi. "Mom, it''s possible. ra''s been acting really weird. Should we take her to a doctor? I''m pregnant now and I''m scared she might do something crazy."


    Quinn spoke with mock fear. Her hands were protectively over her belly and her eyes were glistening with fake tears.


    Naomi hesitated, wondering if ra''s odd behavior was really a sign of a breakdown. She motioned for the security toe in, scrutinizing ra with suspicion. "ra, are you seriously having a mental breakdown?"


    ra was at a loss for words. She caught Quinn''s eye, and in a hidden corner of the room, Quinn''s lips curled with smug satisfaction, her eyes dancing with triumph.


    The whole Bradford n was rallying around Quinn, leaving ra on her own.


    ra''s heart felt like being crushed, shattered beyond recognition. But she quickly pulled it together. Were it not for her self-control, she''d have lost it by now.


    "Weren''t you all asking me to cook?"


    Her voice was calm, but as soon as she said this, Quinn feigned terror. "ra, I''m too scared to eat anything you make. I''m worried you might poison me-you wouldn''t want me having Simon''s baby."