But she told herself that Dn had been through heartbreak more times than she could count-she couldn''t let what was happening now break her.

    "ra, don''t be so sad," Megan said softly. "Mr. Dn isn''t like other people. Maybe he''ll bounce back soon. But if he does, will you still be able to stay in Palm Bay?"

    Everyone in Palm Bay listened to her. No one could just make a move against her. If ra left of her own ord, Old Mr. Foster would definitely take advantage of that.

    Megan kept turning it over in her mind, but she still couldn''t figure out how to lure ra out. Ryan wasn''t an option anymore either. For some reason, he''d stopped sharing anything with her—andtely, he hadn''t even been picking up her calls.

    At first, Megan worried Ryan might have suspected something, that maybe he''d tell ra. But now, it was clear: these siblings didn''t really trust each other.

    ra''s voice was rough. "Everyone here does what I say, but I can''t stay forever."

    Megan''s hand, hanging at her side, curled into a fist. "ra, I''ll help you. Whatever you need, just ask. I mean it—we''ll be the best of friends."

    ra frowned, a little confused by the sudden promise, though she knew she owed Megan for everythingtely.

    They fell quiet for a moment, until Megan finally asked, "I overheard Simon say your boyfriend passed away-and they never found who did it. Is that true?"

    Just hearing the name Z made ra''s chest ache. Her face went pale, every bit of color draining away.

    "Yeah," she said quietly.

    Megan''s eyes flicked to the red bead bracelet around ra''s wrist. She smiled, trying to keep things light. "That bracelet is gorgeous. Was it a gift from your boyfriend?"

    ra almost never wore jewelry, unless it was something he''d given her-she''d always spoiled that man. Megan already knew this; she was just fishing for confirmation.

    She didn''t expect ra to nod, leaning back in her chair, her face drawn with exhaustion.

    "I made it for him. There''s only one like it."

    "You really loved him," Megan said softly. "I think I''ve told you that a hundred times. ra, try not to be too sad, okay? Just focus on getting better."

    ra nodded, slowly lying down and shutting her eyes.

    Megan stayed in Palm Bay for a while longer. Late that night, she was woken by the sound of a car pulling up outside.

    She hurried to the window. Dn''s car was in the driveway. He was back again tonight?

    She rushed over to the master bedroom and knocked.

    "ra, Mr. Dn''s back. Do you want to see him?"

    Before the words were barely out, the door opened.

    ra was already looking toward the stairs. She could walk now, but her injury left her with a limp.

    She made her way to the top of the staircase and saw him. Dn was home. It must have been raining raindrops still clung to his shoulders.

    He walked upstairs, never meeting her eyes, and didn''t even pause as he passed

    by.

    ra stood there, feeling the chill he carried in with him.

    She just watched as he went straight into the study. Both times he''de home, he hadn''t set foot in the master bedroom. He was probably nning to sleep in the old guest room again tonight.

    She stood frozen for several seconds, wanting to go after him, to ask what he''d been so busy withtely. But her leg started to throb again, sweat breaking out on her skin.

    Dn''s return had woken the

    housekeeper, who came out to find ra standing in the hallway and offered gentle advice. "Ma''am, you need to take care of yourself. Maybe sir is still upset, but we all know how much he cares about you. If you don''t get better, he''ll just worry more."

    ra knew the housekeeper was right, so she slowly turned to head back.

    Megan was waiting outside the bedroom, ready to help, but ra spoke first.

    "Megan, go get some rest too."

    Megan nodded, her voice gentle but worried. "Don''t overthink it."

    "I''m not," ra replied. "I know this isn''t how he really feels."

    She lifted her hand, pressing it to her chest. The ring on her finger was still there.

    She remembered every word he''d said that day.

    She lowered hershes, feeling a little more at ease.

    Back in bed, she fell asleep almost immediately.

    Megan, though, kept ncing toward the study. Once the housekeeper was gone,

    she headed over and knocked on the door.

    "Come in," Dn called from inside.

    Megan stepped in, carrying a mug of warm water.

    "Mr. Dn, are you workingte? I brought you some water."

    She didn''t call him by his first name-she didn''t want to cross a line. No one could guess what Dn was thinking these days. When he wasn''t in love with ra, he was just as cold to everyone else.

    Megan chose her words carefully.

    Dn didn''t look up. He just said, "Leave."

    Megan didn''t move. She set the cup down on the table, her tone gentle. "Drink

    some water. ra''s alright, you don''t have to worry."

    Dn''s hand paused as he slowly opened the drawer beside him.

    Megan''s eyes widened in shock-she caught a glimpse of a red bead bracelet inside.

    It wasn''t her imagination. It was the same bracelet.