ra''s reaction was so over the top that when Dn reached out to steady her, she deftly sidestepped him. Pressed against the wall, she earnestly said, "Mr. Dn, looking at you right now would make any woman feel awkward. Maybe it''s best you don''t look at me."


    Dn was stunned but then broke into a smile before heading to his bed. He picked up the book beside him and, with a calm demeanor, said, "Come over here."


    ra, still lingering by the bathroom wall, appeared quite uneasy. After taking a moment topose herself, she slowly made her way to the couch and sat down. A small throw pillowy there, perfect for resting her head. As shey down and closed her eyes, the sound of Dn flipping through his book''s pages filled the


    room.


    It was still early, not quite bedtime, but ra had no idea what else to do but lie there. Suddenly, she remembered-wasn''t Jackson still downstairs waiting? "Aren''t you going to see Jackson? He seems to be waiting for you."


    Dn paused his page-turning. "I''ll get to thatter."


    He was clearly nning to blow Jackson off.


    Just as ra was about to smile, her phone rang again. This time, it was Ryan on the line. She sighed, leaned back into the couch, and answered. Ryan''s usatory tone hit her immediately.


    "ra, Quinn''s been in the hospital all this time. Don''t you feel any guilt? She''s been crying nonstop, and Simon can''t evenfort her. I can''t believe you''re so heartless. Even if you can''t stand her, you can''t just..."


    ra rubbed her temples and replied calmly, "I told you, I didn''t push her."


    Ryan''s eyes welled up with emotion. He had witnessed the incident himself. His mother was right. ra had changed, bing cold and even cruel towards her family. How else could she have been so ruthless?


    Torn with distress, he grabbed his coat, ready to storm out, but Naomi stopped him.


    "Where are you off to now? Quinn''s been crying her heart out. Can''t you say something to cheer her up?"


    Feeling overwhelmed, Ryan replied, "I just need some air."


    Naomi feltpletely drained. This family was in constant chaos because of ra. She resolved to have ramitted to an asylum this time.


    She hurried back to Quinn''s hospital room. Quinn was on the phone with Eden, Simon''s sister.


    Eden and Quinn had always been tight. Even though Eden was still in school and not around much, she had bought baby gifts upon hearing of Quinn''s pregnancy. Now, she was being told that the baby was gone because of ra.


    де


    Eden was seething, wishing she could leave school immediately to confront ra. Eden was also finding it hard to face others because of ra. Everywhere she went, people asked about ra''s antics. They would either ask whether it was true ra was really obsessing over Simon or if she had actually tried to drown herself to avoid breaking off her engagement.


    From initial annoyance and frustration, Eden had started ignoring the gossip and often told her brother to stay away from ra. But she never imagined ra could stoop to this level.


    "Quinn, I''m free this afternoon. I''lle visit. Is my brother there with you?"


    Quinn was silent for a few moments before sighing, "Eden, sometimes I wonder if Simon still loves me. Lately, he''s been distant because of ra."


    Eden, already feeling protective, was instantly livid. "That bitch! I won''t let her get away with this!"


    After hanging up, Eden wasted no time spreading the word about ra''s wickedness in her group chat, all while singing praises of Quinn''s kindness.