Arwen's eyes moved back to the tablet, reading the headline: 'No Marriage Arrangement Between the Quinns and Fosters —The Wildest Assumption Yet?' Her gaze remained unfazed, and after a brief pause, she nodded casually, looking up at her mother.
"Didn't I tell you more than once before that Ryan and I have broken up?" she said. Her tone was calm but edged with a hint of frustration. For once, she wanted her mother to notice her and ask her about her reasons —not to interrogate her or demean her, but out of true concern. But it seemed like it was some luxury that she could afford in this life. Not even for a fraction of a second. "Why are you acting like you had no idea, Mom? Or was it that you never cared enough to think about what I said?"