<b>Chapter </b><b>406 </b>


    “If it’s an ident, I’ll forgive you,” Ryan said, walking toward me, and for a moment, he had that samemanding vibe Edward always had.


    “But what if… what if I knew it was wrong and did it anyway?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.


    Ryan smirked. “Guess I’ll have to see how


    it is first” 184


    My heart did a little flip. Ryan might look all sweet a and harmless, but I could tell he had the potential to go dark if pushed. Kids from the Jennings family never grew up sheltered–they learned early that nothing in their world was ever simple. And with his dad dying so young, I seriously doubled it was just illness; there’s probably a whole web of secrets and schemes behind it. Ryan might y the innocent, but deep down, he’s gotyers most people never


    see.


    When we got back to the living room, everyone <i>wa </i>


    I couldn’t help but sigh. Honestly, these two–Ryan and


    Ryan–are really messing with my head.


    giving us these knowing looks.


    One of the guys even nced at his watch and teac


    “Seriously, Ryan? You onlysted thirteen minutes?”


    “Yeah, that’s not like your usual performance,” another guy chimed in.


    Everyone burst outughing. Ryan, being young and a bit thin–skinned, turned red and snapped, “Cut it out, you guys!”


    I felt super awkward too.


    Then it was time for the buffet–tons of food, drinks, and a huge birthday cake. It was Ryan’s twenty–fourth birthday, his zodiac year.


    One of the guys joked, “Hey Ryan, since it’s your zodiac year, you should get Ms. Murphy to buy you some red underwear and red socks.”


    Ryan looked at me with a burning gaze. “So, will you?”


    I froze for a second. With everyone watching, I didn’t want to embarrass him, so I nodded. “Of course, I’ll get them for you.”


    “Why are you all making such a fuss? Ms. Murphy’s been married before–she’s probably done this for her ex already. She’s a pro at this stuff,” Isabelle said,zily propping up her chin.


    Everyone shot Ryan a look, their expressions a bit awkward.


    Someone cut in right away, “Isabelle, don’t kill the vibe with that kind of talk.”


    Isabelle just shrugged. “What, can’t handle the truth? Ms. Murphy, did I say anything wrong?”


    Just as I was about to respond, Ryan’s voice went cold as he said to Isabelle, “Don’t bother showing up next year. I won’t miss your so–called blessings.”


    Isabelle’s face went pale, and she instantly fell silent.


    Someone quickly tried to smooth things over. “Come on, Ryan<b>, </b>she’s just a kid, just messing around. Don’t take it to heart.”


    Ryan kept his face cold. “She really needs someone to teach her how to act in public?”


    Tears welled up in Isabelle’s eyes, and the next second she spun around and bolted out, her girlfriends hurrying after her.


    <b>I </b>just stood there, totally frozen. I never thought Ryan would actually call out his childhood friend Isabelle like that–all because of me.


    The whole vibe in the room just crashed. Everyone went quiet, and the awkwardness was thick enough to cut with a knife.


    <b>“</b>Come on, let’s not worry about Isabelle. She needs to cool off and think about what she said. Let’s have some cake,” someone said<b>, </b><b>trying </b><b>to </b><b>break </b><b>the </b>


    tension.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>07:52 </b><b>Tue</b><b>, </b><b>26 </b><b>Aug </b>m


    <b>“</b>Yeah, she’s not a little kid anymore. She really should know better than to say something like that right now<i>,</i><i>” </i>another person chimed <b>in</b>.


    Ryan cut the first slice of cake and handed it to a staff member. “Could you take this upstairs to Uncle Ryan?”


    Then he put the second slice in front of me. “Vic, you should have some.”


    I took it and whispered, “Maybe you should call Ms. Lynn back?”


    “It’s nothing. From now on, if anyone tries to call you out in front of me, they’re disrespecting me too–and I won’t go easy on them,” Ryan said casually, making sure everyone in the room got the message.


    Everyoneughed and chimed in their agreement.


    My heart felt warm–Ryan really put me first. The way he stood up for me made my eyes a little misty.


    “Thanks,” I said, deciding not to stick up for Isabelle anymore. I’m done trying to defend her–she was just stirring the pot on purpose.


    Ryan let out a low chuckle. “Don’t forget to bring me my lucky birthday gift tomorrow.”


    AD