ra gave a small nod, looking over at Naomi.


    Naomi got to her feet. "I should get going, ra... thanks for holding up the Bradford Corporation."


    Since ra had addressed her by her first name, Naomi felt a bit awkward about using any affectionate nicknames for ra now.


    Listening to Naomi''s hesitations stirred something bittersweet in ra''s heart. It was as if a wave of emotion washed over her, leaving her speechless. So, she just nodded again.


    Naomi headed out, with Sarah eagerly escorting her to the door.


    Now it was just ra and Ryan in the room.


    With ra''s forgiveness, Ryan was bouncing back quickly. "ra, I''ve read all the books on the shelf. I''m really trying my best. You can quiz me anytime, and if there''s something I don''t get, I''ll work it out. Please, don''t leave me alone here. It feels like the whole world has turned its back on me."


    ra reached over and ruffled his hair. "I''m sorry."


    Ryan''s lip trembled, and then he broke down, crying hard.


    He''d been bottling up his feelings for too long. He just wanted to help out his childhood friend Quinn, and everything spiraled from there. ra, who used to be so caring, had sent him away without a second thought and refused to see him.


    With their dad gone and their mom joining a convent, his world had flipped upside down in no time.


    He couldn''t figure out what he''d done wrong, suffering through the meds and the mental turmoil, feeling like he was losing it.


    Now that ra was talking to him again, his fears eased, and tears poured down like a leaky faucet.


    ra found it a bit funny and dabbed his face with a tissue.


    "For a grown man, you sure do cry a lot."


    "That''s because you have no idea how intimidating you can be when you''re serious."


    "You''re going to be a dad soon. You can''t just cry whenever. How will you set an example for your kid?"


    Surprisingly, those words made Ryan''s face go pale, and he looked anxious again. "ra, I''m really sorry."


    Seeing him so skittish, like a frightened bird, tugged at ra''s heart.


    When did her brother be so afraid of her?


    She opened her mouth, then gave a gentle smile. "Okay, I''ll keep quizzing you. Keep reading. I''lle get you next month. But remember, Ryan, I won''t keep forgiving you forever. Patience runs out, and if the dayes when I truly cut you off, I won''t say another word."


    Ryan quickly straightened up and lowered hisshes. "I get it. You''ve always had your own mind. Back when everyone was trying to cozy up to Dn, you just weren''t interested. You said he had this deep, dark side, but to me, he seemed like a distant star. I just..."


    He wanted to go on, but ra yfully tugged his ear. "What''s Dn got to do with this?"


    Ryan winced but foundfort in it. "I just meant, you''ve always been different. Always had your own ideas. If you don''t like someone, neither do I. If you like someone, I like them too. From now on, I''ll listen to you, ra."


    That tugged at ra''s heartstrings, making her realize how much she''d been neglecting Ryan.


    "Okay, I''ll make sure the guards give you your phone back. Call me if you need anything. And about Sarah, keep an eye on her. Don''t just take everything she says at face value."


    "Got it!"