She dashed to the abbey as soon as she got there, heading straight to where Naomi stayed. It was alreadyte, and Naomi was still outside, doingundry by herself. Sarah watched, thinking Naomi didn''t seem like someone who had lived a life of luxury. Now, she seemed so simple, with a few dull, gray clothes hanging on a line in the yard. But Megan had shown her a photo-it was definitely Naomi.


    Sarah rushed over and knelt down in front of her. "Naomi, I''m Ryan''s girlfriend. I''m pregnant with his child, and ra''s trying to force me into getting an abortion. Please, I need your help. I genuinely love Ryan and want to keep this baby."


    Naomi hadn''t been involved with city affairs for a long time. Hearing this, she slowly stopped her work. Sarah''s eyes were puffy from crying, and she seemed genuinely attached to Ryan.


    Naomi took a moment before ncing at Sarah''s belly. "What did you say?"


    Sarah rubbed her eyes hard. "I''m pregnant with Ryan''s child. You''re going to be a grandmother."


    At Naomi''s age, the thought of a grandchild was exciting, but she quickly realized -how old was Ryan? She said nothing, going back to her washing.


    Sarah started to panic. If Naomi didn''t care, her trip here would be pointless. "Naomi, Ryan and I are young. We got drunk, and it just happened... I only realized I was pregnant when my period waste. I promise I''ll keep my distance from Ryan after having this baby. My family doesn''t care about me, and Ryan and this child are the only love I have. Please, I''m begging you."


    She hit her forehead against the floor, shaking with sobs. "I begged ra, but she wouldn''t budge. I woke up in the hospital."


    Naomi paused, noticing the blood on the floor, and couldn''t ignore it. "Does Ryan love you?"


    "He does! You''re his mom; you know he''s responsible. But ra influences him, and I''m scared she''ll change his mind. Please, Naomi, just talk to ra and let me have this baby. I''ll never bother you again. I''m desperate."


    Sarah had a knack for ying the tragic heroine. Naomi dried her hands, her eyes drifting back to Sarah''s belly. After a while, she stood up. "Let''s go see Ryan."


    Sarah''s eyes lit up, a smile spreading across her face. She drove Naomi to where Ryan was. It was already nine at night, and the guards didn''t recognize Naomi. ra had told them not to let anyone in without permission, so they hesitated. Sarah was furious. "This is Ryan''s mother! Look closely or call ra right now!" The guards did call ra. ra hadn''t expected Sarah to bring Naomi here. She wasn''t eager to see Naomi but was worried something might happen, so she headed over.


    When Ryan heard Naomi was there, his eyes turned red behind the ss, and he called out hoarsely, "Mom."


    Naomi hadn''t seen him in ages. Seeing him so thin and drained, she started crying too. "Ryan, what''s happened to you?"


    Ryan looked down, gripping the bars on the window. "I messed up. I''m here to think about it. It''s not ra''s fault. Don''t me her like before."


    Sarah shook with anger beside him. "Ryan, they took me to the hospital! If I hadn''t escaped, the baby would be gone. I had no choice but to bring Naomi! ra is cruel!"


    Ryan was doubtful. The guards had said they took Sarah to check her head injury. Naomi entered the room, noticing how bare it was, just like a prison cell. Ryan quickly poured her a ss of water, more obedient than before. "Mom, have some water."


    Naomi felt a flicker offort seeing the ss. Ryan didn''t know what to say, so he blurted out, "Quinn''s in aa. She''ll never wake up."


    Crash. The ss slipped from Naomi''s hand, shattering on the floor. Ryan''s lips twitched. "You wanted to know what''s wrong? I got dragged into this mess because of Quinn."


    Naomi almost fainted, the world around her spinning. Ryan crouched down slowly, picking up the pieces. "Mom, I''m just scared you''ll fight with ra when she gets here. Dad''s gone. All I care about now is you and ra. Please, don''t fight. If ra leaves me, I''ll be devastated."


    Naomi started trembling, leaning on Sarah for support. Sarah quickly chimed in, "Ryan, don''t you care about me?"


    Ryan ignored her, continuing his confession to Naomi. "Every day here is tough. It''s even harder knowing how our family ended up like this. But it''s all because of what you did in the past, Mom."


    Naomi raised a hand to her forehead, looking like she might faint, just as ra walked in. Ryan''s eyes brightened when he saw her, but the light quickly dimmed.