The smile on Quinn''s face faded awaypletely. In the past, she could easily charm her younger brother with sweet words, but now Ryan wasn''t so easily swayed.


    ra overheard their conversation and couldn''t help but chuckle.


    Ryan, hearing her voice, got excited and almost got up, but then remembered something and slowly sat back down, deliberately turning his head to the side. "What are you doing here? My leg''s been broken for eighteen hours. Were you waiting for me to kick the bucket before showing up?"


    He frowned, refusing to look at ra, clearly upset.


    Ryan noticed ra''s empty hands. Most visitors brought flowers to a patient, but his sister hade empty-handed. It was obvious she hadn''t given him much thought.


    He thought about how ra had used him and then tossed him aside and it only reignited his anger.


    “ra, just leave. I don''t need you here."


    ra knew him too well. The more he wanted something, the more he''d insist he didn''t. She sat down beside him, casually picked up some fruit from the bedside table, and started peeling it.


    Ryan felt a lot better, and his anger melted away.


    ra quickly peeled an apple, and as Ryan reached out to take it, he watched her pop it into her own mouth.


    "ra!!" He bristled instantly, his chest heaving with anger. If his leg weren''t wrapped in bandages, he would''ve stormed out right then!


    ra chuckled, cutting a small piece and bringing it to his lips. "Alright, I''m done teasing you. Eat up.”


    Ryan had a string of curse words ready to spill out, but now, whether to curse or not left him stuck. He felt utterly manipted. But he really did want to eat the fruit she held, so after a moment''s hesitation, he finally leaned down to take a bite.


    "Tastes okay. A bit sour though."


    Their yful banter was almost too much for Quinn to bear. She knew Ryan''s personality well. He was spoiled and dismissive of those he didn''t care about. The more he cared, the more he''d belittle them, like a kid seeking attention.


    Ryan only made such demands in ra''s presence.


    Quinn''s hand clenched at her side and her face turned pale.


    Realizing he might have ignored Quinn, Ryan hurried to make amends. "Quinn, ra''s here. Can you two not argue today? Just for my sake."


    Quinn stood up with a forced smile. "I''ll take a walk outside. I have a few words for rater."


    Ryan nodded, his gaze quicklynding back on ra.


    "And you, can you not argue with everyone today? I''m in so much pain right now. You don''t know how scared I wasst night when Colton''s car suddenly swerved.


    I almost thought it was over for me."


    He was desperate to spill all his feelings to ra. He''s so disappointed, yet unable to hold Colton ountable.


    ra raised her hand, about to ruffle his hair.


    Ryan immediately protected his head. "That''s my new haircut!"


    She withdrew her hand and asked, "Did you and Colton arrange to race?"


    "I didn''t n it with him. He just showed up. It''s all because you used me and then tossed me aside. I was upset and went for a drive, and ended up running into him. Just my luck. Mom and Dad told me to let it go."


    ra didn''t know what to say, offering some genericfort. Ryan could tell she was being dismissive and got even more upset.


    ra stayed for about half an hour before leaving. Ryan wasn''t great at asking people to stay, so he just told her to remember to visit the next day.