Since Ruby stayed out all night, the RA reported her as missing, and the whole thing ended up on record. But instead of blaming her, Daniel put the blame on me for not covering for her.

"You two are roommates. What would it have cost you to have her back? Are you really jealous just because I picked her over you? Why don't you take a good look in the mirror? How could you possibly compare to Ruby? What right do you have to be so upset?"

Rolling my eyes, I brushed him off and made my way back to the dorm.

It was only the first week of the semester, and Ruby already had three boyfriends. Every time I came back from the library, she'd be downstairs, tangled up with a different guy.

A few of our coursemates had begun to take notice. While some judged her as shameless, others admired her bold personality.

A kind student gently warned her, "Sleeping with so many people will affect your health. As a young woman, it's important to look after yourself."

Ruby waved off the concern. "I'm perfectly healthy. I don't need your advice."

Her words silenced the room.

It was true; Ruby never fell ill.

In my past life, every gynecological problem she should have experienced fell on me instead. I made endless trips to the hospital seeking treatment.

Now, I wondered if her beloved mother would be able to handle what was coming.

For the following two weeks, Ruby continued her pattern of moving from one guy to another every three days. She was seldom in the dorm.

One afternoon, she called me out of the blue. "Hey, Victoria. My mom's sick. Can you come to the hospital?"

I immediately sensed this was no ordinary illness. Of course, I couldn't miss the drama.

When I arrived, Ruby and Daniel both looked tense. Their eyes quickly landed on the crystal bracelet still wrapped around my wrist. Seeing it there, they finally let out a sigh of relief.

I acted like I hadn't noticed their reaction. "What's wrong with Mrs. Winslow?"

Ruby let out a weary sigh. "The doctor said she's two weeks pregnant. She's also dealing with a serious gynecological issue. Apparently, it's the result of excessive sexual activity… When my dad found out, he yelled at my mom and stormed out. They still need more tests to figure out if the pregnancy can continue."

I looked over at Mrs. Winslow on the hospital bed. She was rubbing her belly, her face glowing with joy at the arrival of this new life.

Suddenly, Ruby seemed to recall something and gripped my arm nervously. "Victoria, have you been feeling any discomfort lately?"

I nodded. "Yes. I've noticed I've gained some weight. Plus, my period hasn't come yet. Since I'm here at the hospital, I'll grab some medicine later."

Hearing that, Ruby visibly relaxed, her shoulders dropping.

I couldn't help but smirk. While it was true I had put on some weight recently, the blame rested squarely on the irresistible food surrounding our campus. As for my period, it wasn't technically late. It had simply shifted on its own from the end of the month to the middle.

In the end, Mrs. Winslow was unable to keep the baby. Given her age, the risks of childbirth were considerable.

The doctor cautioned her to be vigilant about hygiene and take proper precautions. Failure to do so could lead to even more serious complications.

Nevertheless, neither Mrs. Winslow nor Ruby seemed to take the warning seriously.

Ruby kept up her pattern of being with a new man every three days. Since she hardly ever returned to the dorm, our interactions were few and far between.

Three months later, Ruby posted a question in the freshman group chat.

"Is it really possible for someone to be pregnant with a three-month-old and a one-month-old at the same time?"

She deleted the message within a minute.

Everyone who saw it thought she was joking and dismissed it. But I knew better. After all, the fetuses in Mrs. Winslow's belly had come from Ruby. It was then that I realized the real show was about to start.

The next day, Ruby showed up in a fury, insisting I go with her to the hospital. Before I even stepped inside the ward, I could hear heated voices echoing from within.

A hoarse male voice boomed with anger. "I've been away on business trips for months. Whose children are you carrying? And to make matters worse, there are two of them! How could you betray me like this?"

Mrs. Winslow's voice cracked under the weight of her sobs. "I'm innocent! I don't understand why this is happening. I haven't been near another man these past few months. I swear, I never cheated on you!"

As I pushed the door open, Ruby immediately grabbed me and pulled me aside. "Victoria, tell me the truth. Have you noticed anything unusual with your body these past few months?"

I forced a startled expression. "How did you know? I've been secretly visiting the hospital without telling anyone. Please… don't ask me to explain. I just can't bring myself to say it out loud."

Hearing that, the suspicion in Ruby's eyes faded. She lowered her gaze, lost in thought.

The doctor's frustrated voice rang out through the ward. "I already warned you last time to take precautions! An induced abortion now would be extremely dangerous. Given your frail condition, there's a high risk that both you and the babies could die!"

Ruby's legs buckled at the words, and she nearly collapsed.

I quickly steadied her. "Don't worry too much. Maybe the doctor is mistaken. If your mom truly hasn't been with anyone else, how could she be pregnant? It just doesn't add up. Why don't we get a second opinion at another hospital?"

Ruby nodded, trying to reassure herself. "You're right. It has to be a misdiagnosis. Either way, we need to get to another hospital right away!"

Turning to me, she added, "You're still wearing that crystal bracelet I gave you, right? It's a gift. Make sure you never take it off. I spent a fortune on it, so don't you ever take it for granted."

I smiled. "Ruby, you're so kindhearted. We barely knew each other then, yet you gave me such an expensive crystal bracelet. I've heard crystals are supposed to have special powers. If someone didn't know better, they might even think you were trying to cast a spell on me."

Ruby froze. "How could you say that? It's meant to protect you."

I lifted my right hand to show her the bracelet. "But why didn't you tell me sooner that no one else was supposed to wear it? Mrs. Winslow thought it was too valuable and took it back that day. It's probably on her wrist now. I didn't want to upset you, so I got a replica."

Ruby's whole body shook with fury. Without a word, she burst into the ward. She pulled back the blanket and grabbed Mrs. Winslow's hand. Sure enough, the crystal bracelet gleamed on her wrist.

Ruby's pupils dilated. Ignoring the curious glances from everyone around, she yanked the bracelet off Mrs. Winslow's wrist.

Spinning toward me, she shouted, "This bracelet was my gift to you! Why did you put it on my mom? Why?"

I widened my eyes, feigning ignorance. "Does this bracelet have some special power? Mrs. Winslow said it was too valuable and insisted on taking it back. She warned me not to tell you. She was worried you'd be upset."

Ruby froze. Knowing she had lost control, she plastered on an awkward smile. "That's not what I meant. I just think the bracelet suits you better. From now on, you have to wear it all the time. No matter who asks, you can't give it away. Got it?"

As she spoke, she took my hand and slipped the bracelet onto my wrist. A subtle, almost invisible glow shimmered across the crystals. My heart skipped a beat. The bracelet seemed to possess the ability to bind itself to its next wearer.