Andrix’s POV Raelynn’s accusations left me completely baffled. Clearly, things weren’t going the way I originally planned. “If I didn’t do it, I won’t admit to it,” I said calmly and hung up. All I did was swap out one hospital record to keep her from transferring the patient so easily. So then who the hell switched Ruby’s mother’s medication? Could it be… I immediately called Taylor. “Was it you?” I snapped. “Did you switch that old woman’s meds and end up getting her killed?” Taylor giggled through the phone. “Andrix, what are you talking about? Who died?” “Don’t play dumb with me,” I said coldly. “I agreed to work with you because I thought we had aligned interests. But if you’re going to start pulling shady moves behind my back, this partnership is over.” Taylor paused for a moment before finally speaking in a soft voice. “It’s really not a bad thing. You were using that woman to manipulate Raelynn, right? Someone like her would never forgive you for that. She’d hate you forever.” I could tell from her tone she was admitting to it, and I couldn’t stop myself from shouting: “Why the hell would you take it upon yourself to act behind my back?” Taylor just chuckled. “If she dies, sure, Raelynn might blame you at first. But if she can’t find any proof, maybe over time she’ll start to think she misunderstood you. Guilt turns into affection, and who knows? She might even fall for you.” She wasn’t totally wrong, but the fact that she acted without telling me made it completely unacceptable. “This time I’ll keep my mouth shut,” I warned, my tone sharp. “But if you ever go behind my back again, I won’t be so forgiving.” Taylor quickly backpedaled. “Alright, I’m sorry, okay? I just got impatient. Andrix, you don’t need to worry—it’ll just look like a simple medical accident. We’ll throw some random nurse under the bus.” I didn’t bother replying and hung up on her.Love and jealousy… I couldn’t believe they’d turned a spoiled heiress like her into something this venomous. Clearly, I’d need to be even more careful around Taylor from now on. Raelynn’s POV Even if Andrix refused to admit it, I was certain this had his fingerprints all over it. But right now, Ruby needed someone to lean on. The poor girl was curled up in a corner, clutching the death certificate, not making a sound. “Ruby, are you alright?” I walked over and asked softly. She didn’t respond. Her eyes were glassy, fixed on the floor. “Don’t be too sad, Ruby. I know… I know your mom is gone, but she still loved you. Everyone has a time limit on this earth. Maybe, for her, this was a kind of release, you know?” I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, trying to comfort her. Ruby’s lips began to tremble, and then she broke down sobbing. “My mom… she always told me to stay strong no matter what. But now she’s gone, and I don’t know what to do anymore…” She sobbed into my sleeve, clinging tightly to me. I gently patted her back, trying to soothe her. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you. Let your mom rest in peace.” After helping Ruby handle her mother’s funeral arrangements, I sent a message to Andrix asking to meet. I wasn’t about to let this slide. To my surprise, Andrix didn’t avoid me. In fact, he agreed to meet without hesitation. We arranged to meet at a café near the hospital. By the time he arrived, I was already halfway through my second coffee. He walked over with a calm expression and sat across from me. I set down my cup and stared coldly at his face. “You know why I called you here.”Andrix nodded and said evenly, “About that… I want to explain. I had nothing to do with it.” I let out a short, bitter laugh. “Nothing to do with it? Andrix, do you really think I’m going to buy that? Who else could’ve pulled this off?” His face twitched slightly. He looked like he was about to snap, but he held back and shook his head. “I’ll say it again: I had nothing to do with it. If you don’t believe me, investigate all you want. If I’m the one who switched those meds, then may I die a horrible death.” It was a heavy statement, but I still didn’t believe him. “Say whatever you want. I’m getting to the bottom of this. And if I find out it was you or had anything to do with you, I won’t let you walk away from it.” “Don’t be so harsh, Raelynn. Don’t forget, you’re still—” “Your girlfriend?” I cut him off with a sneer. “Our little contract’s expired. You know what, Andrix? You’re not just twisted—you’ve got one hell of a thick skin.” The thought of him ever touching me made my skin crawl. Andrix didn’t react to the insult. Instead, he stared at me with what looked like amusement. “I never realized how interesting you were… especially when you talk like that.” “I’ve heard enough. If you’re not going to own up, then there’s nothing left to say.” I stood up, ready to leave. There was no point continuing this conversation. “Wait.” Andrix suddenly called out to me. I turned around. “What?” He shoved his hands in his pockets and grinned lazily. “Ruby’s mom might be gone… but there’s still Ruby.” My heart dropped. I glared at him. “Don’t you dare touch her.” “Why not? Raelynn, I really don’t want you to leave me.” His eyes burned with twisted desire. I stared him down, furious. “You really are a psycho, Andrix.”