She clutched her stomach, beads of cold sweat trickling down her cheeks as she bit her lip hard. After saying that, she acted like she was about to faint.


    Simon instinctively reached out to steady her. "Quinn..."


    Quinn nestled into his embrace, tears streaming down her face. "Simon, losing the baby was painful enough. I can''t handle seeing my sister right now."


    She shut her eyes, looking utterly shattered. ra stood nearby, watching the whole scene unfold, and couldn''t help but admire Quinn''s performance. No wonder she had everyone wrapped around her finger for so long.


    But ra wasn''t one to back down easily. She turned to Simon. "Simon, just send me to an asylum. It''s always the same whenever she puts on that innocent face, everyone believes her. I''m exhausted."


    Hershes lowered, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "But I had nothing to do with the baby. You all convicted me without even checking the facts. I''ve got nothing left to say."


    Simon opened his mouth, holding Quinn close, but his gaze lingered on ra, unsure of what to do next. He stayed silent, and Quinn grew anxious because ra had just nailed the truth.


    "Simon, help me inside. I need to rest," Quinn pleaded.


    Simon didn''t move; his eyes were still fixed on ra. Quinn''s eyes zed with resentment, her teeth nearly grinding to dust. She bit her tongue until it bled, coughed a couple of times, and showed Simon the blood in her palm.


    Simon quickly helped her back to the hospital room. "Quinn, are you okay?"


    Quinn shook her head, clutching her heart. "It''s just the grief over the baby. It''ll get better with time. Simon, I''m not heartless. I won''t let Mom send ra to an asylum. Weren''t we going to marry her off to Nate? Just send her to Nate''s ce, and let him keep an eye on her. At least until we get married, keep her away."


    With Nate in the picture, ra was sure to be tormented. Simon hesitated.


    Quinn was furious and yed the victim to gain the upper hand. "Simon, I want to be alone. Please leave."


    She hoped Simon would stay, but he stood up. "Rest well."


    Quinn was left speechless, watching him walk away. Simon closed the door behind him as he left the room. He found ra still standing outside.


    Their interactions had been tense recently, but her vulnerability earlier softened something in him. ra saw hime out and managed a smile. "Are you nning to send me to the asylum?"


    Simon frowned. "Is that really what you think of me?"


    ra sneered. If she hadn''t shown weakness earlier, she''d probably already be in the asylum. Simon stepped closer, his eyes searching her face. "ra, do you have any proof?"


    "No, which is why I''m willing to go to the asylum."


    "You!"


    Simon was about to scold her when her eyes welled up with tears. "Remember the North Ashford Farm incident? You were there, Simon. Be honest, did Quinn really handle it well?"


    Simon''s heart was struck. The farm incident was a sore spot for him, and hisplicated feelings towards ra began then.


    ra pressed on, "If she were just a stranger and your affections didn''t cloud your judgment, how would you view her actions at the farm?"


    Simon was growing impatient. He didn''t want to admit that he was unhappy with how Quinn had handled the situation. In stark contrast, ra had excelled and even made the local papers.


    He wasn''t naive. This thorn in his side was impossible to ignore,plicating his feelings towards both women. He realized he had never truly understood ra.


    ra seized the chance. "I did like you before, but after the ident, I genuinely don''t remember. Yet, none of you believe me. Only Mr. Dn has shown me kindness. This world feels foreign to me, and he''s the only person I feel safe with. You said I used to despise him, but now I feel he''s the only one trustworthy."


    ra knew exactly how to y Simon''s emotions. She found the thorn in his heart and stepped right on his biggest insecurity.


    Simon''s expression changed. "ra! You''re supposed to hate him!"


    "Enough, Simon. At least he wouldn''t send me to an asylum without cause!"


    Simon''s chest rose and fell heavily. The peace in her eyes and the genuine relief


    on her face when she mentioned Dn was palpable.


    His lips tightened. "Are you still putting on an act?"


    ra felt a wave of exhaustion and shrugged, turning to leave. Simon grabbed her wrist.


    "I''ll look into this. If you''re innocent, I won''t hold you responsible."