Chasing after him for five years, only to learn it was all just a charade-he couldn''t wrap his head around it. Sure, he resented ra, but deep down, he couldn''t


    ignore the feelings swirling inside him. Somewhere along the way, he realized he loved her more than anyone else.


    Eden was babbling on next to him, but Simon was lost in thought, absently rubbing his wrist. All he could think about was that if ra ever found herself alone-career in shambles, friends vanished, brother gone, and that so-called mysterious boyfriend turning out to be a dud-would she finally turn to him for support? Maybe if everything she relied on crumbled, she''d finally see him as her rock.


    When Eden walked into the old Ferguson family mansion, he came in ready for whatever was toe. Walter was seated on the couch in the living room, the butler standing at his side, the air thick with tension.


    "Eden, do you understand why I asked you here today?" Walter asked.


    Eden''s eyes lit up as he immediately knelt beside him. "Grandfather, it''s all ra''s doing. She''s been trying to seduce Dn. I see her all the time in Palm Beach, bringing him roses and gifts, then acting all aloof. And did you hear? Jeffree''s dead, and it happened while ra had him. I heard Dn had to clean up the mess. He might like ra, but marriage? Not so much."


    Walter didn''t say anything. He hadn''t been keeping up with thetest news and had no clue Dn sorted out the Jeffree situation. Taking a deep breath, he turned to the butler.


    "Find out who the Bradford Group''s been cozying up totely."


    It was a set-up, a way to make sure ra wouldn''t bounce back. Eden''s eyes gleamed with a mischievous smile. "Grandfather, I''ve told ra over and over to steer clear of Dn, but she never listens. If I take action against her, will you back me up?"


    That way, even if Dn wanted to make a fuss, he''d probably go easy for grandfather''s sake. Besides, Dn still needed him.


    Walter stood up with his cane, looking calm outwardly, but his eyes were stormy. "Do what you think is best."


    Eden''s eyes sparkled, his smile turning sly. "Thank you, Grandfather."


    On the morning of New Year''s Eve, ra got a text from Ryan.


    [ra, about your family history, could we chat at the hospital?]


    ra read the message several times, making sure it was really from him. She called him, eager to ask what he was talking about-what family history? But Ryan didn''t pick up. He had gone home, told his chef to whip up a feast, but hadn''t mentioned ra or if she shoulde to dinner.


    Turns out, Sarah had sent the text using his phone. She was bustling around absolutely glowing. "Ryan, I left my test results at the hospital this morning. I''ll go grab them. This time, I''ll know if it''s a boy or a girl."


    Ryan just stared out at the storm, not saying a word.


    An hourter, Sarah made it to the hospital. She meant to call Megan to see what the day''s ns were she wanted to see ra''s downfall firsthand but Megan beat her to it.


    "Sarah, bad news. Ryan''s with ra, and no one''s got a clue where they are. ra''s never been one to y nice. Remember how Johnny died in that fire? I''ve got a strong hunch ra was behind it. She''s always had her eyes on the Bradford family fortune. You should talk to ra, see what she''s got nned for Ryan. Maybe, for the sake of the baby, she''ll cut you some ck."