Simon was practically buzzing with nerves, staring at Aaron like he was some kind of miracle worker.


    Who would''ve thought Aaron had the inside scoop on everything?


    "So, cousin, what now? Tell me what I''m supposed to do," Simon asked, voice


    tight.


    Aaron leaned back in his seat, eyes drifting shut. "You need to find ra. Tell her her boyfriend''s in trouble-got himself beat up, he''s barely hanging on, says he wants to see her onest time."


    Simon frowned, not buying it. "That''s a terrible lie. She''ll never believe me."


    "Simon, do you even know why ra''s gone off the gridtely? You think Dn''s going to let her talk to anyone? There''s no way she can get in touch with the outside world. As for her and her boyfriend-look, there are things I still need to check out myself. Just say what I told you. I''ll handle the rest."


    Aaron''s confidence was contagious. Simon nodded, determined. "Alright. Leave it to me-I won''t mess this up."


    He jumped out of the car without another word, his whole posture screaming drive and determination.


    Aaron watched him go through the window, eyes cold and unreadable.


    He''d only pulled Simon into this mess to take some of Dn''s heat off himself. Grandfather might let Dn get away with a lot, but no way would he stand by while Dn finished off everyst Ferguson kid. Lincoln''s fate was just bad luck.


    Aaron''s hand curled into a fist, jaw clenched. But after a moment, he took a breath and let the tension drain out. He called out to the driver, voice calm again. "Let''s go."


    Today''s ns were all set. Now, it was time to see if his theory held up.


    The car rolled forward, quiet and steady.


    *


    ra woke up feeling genuinely rested for the first time in ages.


    For a second, she just stared at the ceiling, trying to shake off the fog. She could''ve sworn she''d fallen asleep on the couch-so why was she in bed now?


    She quickly got herself together and stepped out of her room, heading straight for Dn''s master bedroom.


    Empty.


    She checked the study. Still no sign of him.


    ra headed downstairs, where the housekeeper was busy prepping dinner in the kitchen.


    "Where''s Dn?" she asked, trying to sound casual.


    "Mr. Ferguson left for the office after lunch," the housekeeper replied.


    ra''s mood soured. She''d been trying to catch Dn leaving the house for days, but he kept changing up his schedule, working from different rooms, making Her chase after him like some weird game of hide and seek.


    Her n was simple: the moment he left, she''d follow his car and hunt for a way out.


    But Dn had the stamina of a machine. She''d only closed her eyes for a second, and by the time she woke up, he was already gone.


    Annoyed, ra plopped down on a chair.


    The housekeeper brought over a steaming mug of ginger tea. "Ma''am, please put on your slippers. Mr. Ferguson said your period is due soon-you shouldn''t catch a chill."


    ra''s periods were always rough. She''d tried herbal medicine for a while, but nothing made a difference.


    Sometimes the pain was so bad she''d ck out. She hardly ever kept track of her own cycle, but apparently Dn did.


    The housekeeper set a pair of fuzzy


    slippers by her feet, all polite and


    serious. ra felt even more ra


    unsettled. She didn''t want to ept this kind of care from Dn-it ust made her more frustrated, wanting to snap at him for everything but unable to find the right moment.


    The ginger tea was hot, slices of jujube floating on the surface.


    The housekeeper wiped down the coffee table one more time, then nudged the


    mug closer. "Please drink some, ma''am. And if you start to feel unwell, let us know right away."


    ra frowned, not in the mood for anything.


    She''d just dreamed about Z-again.


    It was weird. Every time she thought about running away, she told herself it was to keep Z out of trouble.


    She''d even pictured sneaking back to see him once Dn finally got over whatever grudge he was holding about Eden.


    Z wasn''t easy to win over, but she


    remembered the promise they made: as long as she still wore the red bead bracelet, she could always coax him back. At most, he''d


    make


    her pay for it in bed for a few days.


    She could handle that.


    But she''d never dare say any of this to Dn. He was impossible to predict-who


    knew what would set him off? Around him, less was always more.


    ra never really thought about leaving Z for good. She was sure of her ce in his heart—no matter what she did, she could win him back if she tried.


    Maybe that made her a terrible person. But she loved that Z saved all his softness for her, letting her get away with everything.


    She lowered her gaze. Every time she dreamed about him, guilt twisted inside her, leaving her anxious and aching.