On the TV screen, Juan gazed at Shelia with an affection so tender it could almost be mistaken for genuine.


    He gently fixed her hair, the two of themughing and chatting, every inch the picture-perfect couple.


    The warmth in his eyes was convincing-not a hint of pretense to be found.


    Erica leaned in and remarked, "Strange, isn''t it? This isn''t their first public appearance together. I''ve juste from the banquet where they were present." "Yes, it is strange," Debra murmured, her eyes glued to the screen.


    Juan''s gaze was filled with nothing but warmth and devotion. Then, something else caught her eye-a ring gleaming on Shelia''s finger. It was unmistakably the Nichols family''s heirloom ring.


    Debra grabbed the remote, rewound the footage for a few seconds, and paused it. The scene froze with Juan brushing Shelia''s hair aside, her smile bright as she raised her hand to straighten his tie.


    There it was, clear as day. Shelia was wearing the Nichols family''s heirloom ring.


    "What''s wrong?" Erica asked, sensing Debra''s sudden tension.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    "The ring on Shelia''s finger is the Nichols family''s heirloom," Debra said.


    She remembered that ring clearly. In her previous life, when she was pregnant, the ring had been ced in her bedroom.


    She had thought it was a sign of Melody''s approval. But then came that nightmare where Shelia walked into the morgue and pulled that very ring from Debra''s cold, lifeless hand.


    Debra could never forget the smug on Shelia''s face.


    "Debra, don''t me me for being heartless. The only way I can be Mrs. Nichols is if you''re out of the picture. Who would''ve thought Juan really gave you the heirloom ring? But it doesn''t matter. From today on, it''s mine," Shelia said.


    ...


    Debra''s head pounded, and she stumbled back. Marion was quick to steady her, concern clouding his eyes.


    Erica gasped, "Debra, are you alright?"


    "I''m fine, just a little lightheaded," Debra reassured them, but her face had gone pale.


    Marion looked down at her with unmasked concern and tenderness.


    Randy nudged Erica, whispering, "See? I told you not to bring it up. Now look at what you''ve done. It''ste and time to go home. I''ll drive you."


    Randy hurriedly ushered Erica out, who waved goodbye to Debra. "I''lle by tomorrow to check on you, okay?"


    "Let''s go already," Randy urged, practically dragging Erica out the door.


    As the door clicked shut, Marion asked in a low voice, "Are you sure you''re not overworking yourself?"


    "Maybe," Debra said with a weak smile.


    She wasn''t entirely sure what was wrong. Perhaps it was the


    overwhelming number of things happening recently, or maybe it was the long flight she had taken earlier that day. Either way, her body felt drained.


    "I''ll get some hot water ready. You should rest soon," Marion said.


    Debra nodded, and he gently stroked her cheek before heading to the bathroom to run her a bath.


    She sat down on the sofa, her eyes wandering back to the TV screen. As she looked at the ring, a growing unease stirred in her chest.


    The scene on the screen mirrored


    her past life when Juan held Shelia''s hand as they attended banquets together. Debra was terrified that she''d wake up to find herself back where she started, losing everything all over again.


    Marion returned, wrapping his arms around her from behind. His low voice whispered in her ear, "Aren''t you going to take a bath? I''ll let you off tonight, but once you''re better, don''t expect me to be so forgiving."