Chapter 17: When Violet truly walked away, it felt as though a substantial piece of Isabella's heart had been torn out. Ruby stood by her, offering gentle support. "Mom, do not worry. If Vivi no longer wants you, I will be by your side forever," Ruby's words pierced Isabella like a sharp knife, causing her to falter for the first time. She began to question if she had made the right choice by letting things deteriorate this much between her and her daughter, all for Ruby's sake. Gabriel had suffered a severe leg injury, and the Martins swiftly took him to the hospital. Unconscious upon arrival, Isabella requested Ruby to care for him during his recovery. However, though physically present, Ruby's thoughts were far from Gabriel. Initially pursuing him as a high-status partner, Isabella now viewed Gabriel as a burden due to his disability. Her mind wandered to Xavier, a man she considered more appealing. She decided to abandon Gabriel and pursue Xavier. Just as she prepared to depart, Gabriel stirred awake. "Rue, have you been looking after me all this time?" Gabriel, weak and pale, inquired. Ruby, caught off guard, swiftly resumed her caring demeanor. "Of course, Gab. I have been here with you. How are you feeling?" Despite her intentions to pursue Xavier, she refrained from upsetting Gabriel at that moment, acknowledging that he still had the Bennetts to fall back on. Struggling to sit up, Gabriel winced in pain from his wound. Ruby rushed to assist him, pretending to be deeply concerned. She informed Gabriel of the severity of his injuries, suggesting that walking might now be a challenge. Gabriel turned pale, questioning if he would be crippled. Ruby exaggerated the doctor's prognosis, but assured him she would never abandon him, shifting the blame to Violet and Xavier for his condition. As Gabriel defended Violet, Ruby's expression darkened. Before she could respond, Clarise, Gabriel's mother, burst into the room, enraged. Concerned that Gabriel was too weak, Ruby attempted to incite Clarise. However, Clarise lashed out at Ruby, accusing her of past wrongdoings and blaming her for Gabriel's current situation. Gabriel, frustrated by the situation, attempted to defend Ruby, but Clarise silenced him. She berated him for mistreating Violet and insisted that he reconcile with her or leave the family. With that ultimatum, Clarise stormed out of the hospital without inquiring about her son's well-being.