Chapter 5 Let It Go Then

The restaurant fell into a sudden silence. Each member of the Fairchild family wore a different expression, yet all had the same fake, guilty look on their faces. Suddenly, there was a "thud" as Olive collapsed in front of Quinn. She cried while slapping her own face. "It's all my fault, all my fault! It's because I had my episode, and Xavier and Mom had to take care of me, that Quinn had to endure all this suffering for me!" After slapping herself, she stood up and charged at the nearby wall, screaming, "I should be the one to die!" The guilt on Xavier's face vanished, and just as Olive was about to crash into the wall, he pulled her into his arms. Olive collapsed into Xavier’s embrace, crying like a rain-soaked pear blossom, still muttering, "It's all my fault, all my fault!" "Olive, why are you so foolish?" Betty said, holding Olive's hand and wiping her tears. Quinn glanced up coldly, giving them a look before remaining silent. In the past, whenever Olive cried, threw tantrums, or threatened to hang herself, the family would do anything to cater to her. How could they care about her almost losing her life in prison? If they cared, they wouldn’t have sent her there. "Quinn, don't you want the Fairchild family to be at peace? Since you came back, you've caused Olive to be like this. Are you getting back at us?" Xavier's twisted expression was a far cry from his usual gentle demeanor. But it was just another of his pretensions. Quinn shot him a glance, her voice calm and indifferent, "Mr. Xavier, could you be any more biased?" Was she really to blame for this? Xavier had no intention of listening to her. His venomous words cut like blades. "I don't know who you learned this from in prison, almost dying, but now you're fine and standing here, aren't you?" Betty, holding Olive, couldn’t hide her resentment. "Quinny, Olive hasn’t recovered yet. You shouldn’t be bringing up these things right now." "Mom, stop blaming Quinn. It's all my fault. I won’t eat celery again, I won’t fight Quinn for anything anymore!" Olive said, struggling to slap her already-red face, but her eyes, filled with defiance, openly shot toward Quinn. Xavier gently patted Olive's trembling shoulders and said softly, "How could it be your fault? You’re a victim too. No one can blame you. Let’s go, I’ll take you out for a meal." With that, he wrapped his arm around Olive and led her out. In the blink of an eye, Olive, who had been sobbing uncontrollably, turned her back on everyone and smugly shot Quinn a glance. She silently mouthed, "You lost." Before, Quinn could never beat her. Now, after prison, it seemed that Quinn had softened. Everything in the Fairchild family belonged to Olive. Quinn would never get a piece of it. Zayden, who had remained silent, raised his eyes and briefly scanned Quinn, who seemed as indifferent as ever. Then, he said nothing, his expression making it clear this had nothing to do with him. After the scene had settled, Betty was no longer focused on any pretense of maternal tenderness. "Quinny, I’m full, I’ll go back to my room." She walked quickly, as if Quinn might be contagious. Finally, the world grew quiet. Quinn released the tightly clenched fists. Four crimson crescent marks had appeared on her palms, but she felt no pain. A cold sensation on her face made her turn, only to catch Zayden’s gaze—calm, but filled with unspoken meaning. Perhaps, like Xavier, Zayden had already decided that everything was her fault. Although she no longer cared about the Fairchild family, it still stung to be so harshly judged. Who cared about her life or death? It was laughable. How pathetic, Quinn mocked herself internally, leaving the restaurant without looking back. That night, Quinn couldn't sleep. She was startled awake by a knock on the door, and Betty entered. Time had left no traces on Betty’s face. Compared to the worn-out Quinn, Betty looked younger. Betty’s slender fingers brushed Quinn’s cheek, feeling the sharpness of her bones, and with a pained look, she said, "Quinny, Xavier didn’t mean to. Olive has been emotionally unstable these years, nearly committing suicide several times, so Xavier was just worried." Quinn remained silent, her clear eyes locked onto Betty’s. Betty, unsettled by her gaze, felt a pang of guilt. She took Quinn’s hand, trying to slip a bracelet onto her delicate wrist. "This was from your grandmother, and I..." Quinn jerked her hand away as if it were burned. "I’m tired. I need to rest." Quinn found it absurd. So now they knew who the wronged one was. Did they think that if they gave her a little something, she’d turn back into the old Quinn and play along with their act of family harmony? Now, her mind was filled with plans for a future without the Fairchild family. Every minute spent here made her feel utterly disgusted. Betty stood there, stunned, as Quinn turned away without replying. Betty cried silently for a long time before leaving the bracelet behind and exiting. When Quinn was first brought back to the Fairchild family, she had felt Betty’s genuine affection. Besides her grandfather, Betty was the only one who truly cared for her. But after Olive’s outburst, everything changed. "Late affection is worse than a dog’s loyalty," she thought bitterly. Besides, their affection was just a facade. She only wished her grandfather could stay safe and healthy. Quinn rose and shoved the bracelet into the nanny's cabinet. The next morning, Quinn, already a light sleeper, was awakened by the commotion outside. It turned out that the Fairchild family’s eldest son, Colton, had returned. It was thanks to Colton’s "secret assistance" that she had been able to replace Olive in prison. Otherwise, how could two people with such different faces fool the judge and the prison guards? Quinn stood on the second-floor balcony, watching Colton. She remembered that Colton had always been busy with work, but the Fairchild family’s business seemed no better off. Yet, when he saw Zayden, he acted like a dog seeing a bone. Olive, dressed in a high-end silk nightgown, rushed into Colton’s arms, her voice soft and playful. "Colton, you’re finally back! I missed you so much." Colton affectionately ruffled Olive’s nose. "It’s my fault, I made Pumpkin sad. I brought you a gift." Olive spotted Quinn and gleefully pointed to the balcony. "Colton, Quinny’s back! Did you bring her a gift?" "Quinn, Colton’s back! Come down, let’s go see the gift he brought for you!" Quinn stayed where she was, looking down at them. Colton noticed Quinn’s shabby clothes and frowned. "If you’re part of the Fairchild family, you need to always maintain the family’s image. What are you wearing?" Quinn wasn’t surprised. Yesterday, he criticized her eating habits, today it was her clothes. Colton sat on the sofa, turning to her. "I didn’t know you were coming back..." Hah, she had already expected this. But she didn’t care. It was morning already. Was Grandpa still not up? Quinn’s heart thudded. She was about to see her grandfather. "Did you not hear me?" Colton said, his voice tense with anger, unable to tolerate Quinn’s indifference. "Colton, don’t be angry. Quinn’s just in a bad mood," Olive said, waving the gift box as if showing off. Quinn pretended not to see it and turned to head back to her room. Olive, unable to show off, quietly recounted yesterday’s events to Colton, adding fuel to the fire. Colton remained indifferent. These petty squabbles didn’t bother him. He had one thing on his mind now. "Quinn, you’ve been to prison, your reputation’s ruined, you’re not worthy of Zayden anymore. The engagement between you and Zayden..." "Then let it go," Quinn interrupted, her voice flat and even, almost unexpectedly so. At that moment, outside the door, Zayden paused, hearing her words.