Chapter 2

The first time I met Liam, it was near the hospital.

After hearing that my kidney was a match for his sister, he contacted me immediately, inviting me to meet.

Once we confirmed the details, he handed me a contract along with a face mask: "It'd be better if you wear this outside."

I took the mask, saying nothing. I glanced at the penalty clause in the contract – a hefty sum.

After I put on the mask, he looked at my eyes. The hand holding the pen paused for a moment before he decisively signed his name.

Suddenly, the floating comments flashed rapidly: "Sweetie, don't sign! He's your brother."

"Your biological one."

"Liam, you'll regret this. The sister you've been looking for all this time is about to be sent to the operating table by your own hand."

"I just re-read it. Did Liam already suspect Aria's identity at this point?"

"Definitely! With the mask on, she looks so much like their mom around the eyes. I refuse to believe he didn't notice."

"I even suspect he knew, which is why he told her to wear the mask, so he could observe her better."

"He's a smooth operator with a hidden agenda. Right now, he's doing whatever it takes for Shawn. But once Aria's identity is confirmed, he'll frantically try to make it up to her and be a 'good' brother."

I remained expressionless, signed the contract, and handed it to Liam.

I had to admit, Liam was efficient. He arranged my hospitalization quickly, and it was a private room.

I didn't have to worry about anything; all I had to do was sign the consent form for the surgery.

During my stay, besides doctors and nurses, I saw Liam the most.

But between us, there was nothing to say.

After all, we were just strangers.

He, however, didn't seem to think so. He kept strolling into my hospital room.

I numbly looked at him, visiting for who-knows-how-many times in two days, then at the lunch he brought. I was genuinely curious: "Are you that free?"

Liam smiled and nodded: "Try it. Our chef at home specifically made it. I hope it suits your taste."

"You need to rest up well during this period."

I gave a slight tug at the corner of my mouth: "Thanks, but you don't have to bring me food. I just ordered takeout."

At my words, Liam's expression stiffened abruptly.

He quickly recovered, his voice deep and drawn out: "Takeout isn't healthy. Nothing beats our chef's carefully prepared soup, don't you think, Arie?"

That nickname suddenly reminded me of Jade.

She always liked to call me Arie, too.

"When your takeout arrives, you can just try both, see which tastes better. I have a lot of confidence in our chef's skills."

Just as Liam was about to say more, someone knocked on the door. Shawn poked her head in: "Brother, I knew you'd sneak off here again."

Shawn, wearing a hospital gown, walked in, a bright smile on her face as she spoke to me: "Hi there, are you the one who's going to donate a kidney to me? Thank you, Ms. Aria. Can I call you that?"

My gaze rested on her. She was clearly well-cared for: "Whatever."

Liam immediately steadied Shawn: "Why are you down here? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"

Shawn stuck out her tongue: "Not at all! I just wanted to see my lifesaver."

"And the surgery is soon, Brother. I'm a little scared."

Liam stroked her head: "Brother promises you nothing will go wrong. You'll wake up and the surgery will be over."

"I trust you, Brother."

Shawn's eyes scanned my room before she spoke, a hint of hesitation in her voice: "Brother, why didn't you arrange for Ms. Aria to be on our floor? This room isn't very big. Is she comfortable here?"

Before Liam could answer, the comments suddenly flared up: "That sounds a little off, saying you're scared in front of the donor."

"Such a green tea vibe! Oh, so *your* room is better, huh?"

"Come on, guys, don't be so malicious! She just asked casually, she's just worried about the female lead."

"Malicious? Can't you see the words 'green tea' written all over that? She's clearly showing off how much better her room is, right in front of the female lead."

"Why isn't Second Brother answering?"

"He can't answer. If she was on the same floor, other Vance family members might run into the female lead. The room he arranged must have been deliberate."

"Waiting for Second Brother to start groveling to win her back."

The next second, Shawn's phone rang: "Mom? I came out to find Brother. Okay, I'll head back with Brother now."

As Shawn left, she politely smiled at me: "Ms. Aria, Mom's calling me. Brother and I are going back to our room now. I'll come see you again when I have time."

A gust of wind blew outside the room, conveniently seeing them off.