Chapter 19

• Laughter and giggles filled the air, with everyone except Caden joining in the lightheartedness. His focus remained fixed on Ruby, listening intently to every word she uttered.
• Ruby's smile slowly faded as she delved deeper into her response, her tone becoming more serious. "My thirst for knowledge has vanished, and I no longer believe that knowledge is power. I've lost my curiosity and independence. Instead, my life revolves around the guy I love, and I've become emotionally and financially dependent on him." A snort escaped her as she expressed her frustration. "I've taken people and life for granted," she concluded, punctuating her statement with a nod.
• A heavy silence hung in the air as the weight of her words settled among the group. Each person was lost in their own thoughts, temporarily unable to find the right words to respond.