"Isla, can we talk?"

I nodded but didn't open the door. "Let's talk like this."

Dylan took a deep breath. He lowered his gaze, and his voice was hoarse.

"Back then, Ian had cancer. He spread rumors that Lydia looked like Mom to give her a better life. Then he somehow got your blood. He swapped it, and let Lydia take your place.

"Isla, you are their biological daughter and my sister."

Dylan finished speaking and looked up at me. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

I met his gaze and said calmly, "I knew long ago that the blood Lydia took for testing was mine because she deliberately scratched my finger. I didn't say anything."

Seeing his surprised expression, I continued.

"That night, if any of you had looked at me a few more times, I would have exposed their lies. But no one did. In your eyes, I was already unworthy of the Jones name.

"So I go by Vivian Walker. Mr. Jones, please remember that."

3

Everyone fell silent.

Freya suddenly rubbed her head against my pant leg, occasionally looking up at me.

She seemed to say, "I want to go out and play."

But Dylan was standing at the door. How could I take her out? I bent down to pick up Freya and comforted her while waiting for Dylan's response.

Time passed slowly in this tense situation.

Dylan laughed softly and said, "So you knew all along..."

His voice had a tone of helplessness, probably not expecting that I had allowed all this.

"So, there's nothing to talk about. I don't hate you all, and that's it."

After saying that, I prepared to close the door and ignore him.

Dylan panicked. "I didn't come with any other intentions. Mom and Dad just want to see you. It's not what you think."

I looked at him amusingly. "What do you think I'm thinking?"

Dylan was stunned. After realizing, he hurriedly tried to explain, but I didn't want to listen anymore. Or maybe it was just too late.

I stopped smiling. I turned around impatiently and kicked the door shut with a bang. It returned to silence, and Freya jumped out of my arms.

She was already ten years old. Her steps were a bit slow, no longer as energetic as she used to be.

I squatted down and called her name, but she ignored me and lay on the balcony to nap.

I thought that would be the end of it. The Jones family were respectable people and knew when to back off.

However, I was sunbathing on the balcony at 3 PM.

Looking down, I saw Dylan getting out of a car with many people behind him. They were carrying furniture and luggage. It looked like Dylan wasn't giving up and was moving into the building.

Coincidentally, my neighbor across the hall was renting out their apartment these days.

I wondered how difficult it must have been to find a matching kidney for Isaac. They just had to come after me.

Dylan quickly came upstairs. A few minutes later, as expected, there was a knock on the door.

He knew I was home, and I knew he was outside.

So when I didn't open the door, Dylan straightforwardly said, "Vivian, I bought your favorite cherries and strawberries. They're by the door."

The old house had poor sound insulation, so his voice clearly reached my ears. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

I jumped up from the recliner. I didn't even put on my shoes and opened the door.

Dylan looked at me with a surprised expression.

I gave a polite smile. "Mr. Jones, if you had investigated more, you would know I'm allergic to cherries and strawberries. Do you think I'd like them?"

Dylan opened his mouth but said nothing. He hid the fruit behind him, probably out of guilt.

Seeing him like this, I turned around to go home.

Dylan grabbed my wrist from behind and looked at me gently. "Sorry, Ms. Walker. It was our mistake."

He handed me a key and continued, "This is the key to my room. Dad and Mom just want to see you. If you change your mind, you can come find me..."

I shook my head. I brushed his hand away and went home.

4

Strawberries and cherries were Lydia's favorite fruits. I was indifferent and didn't care what I ate.

When I finished piano practice as a child, the nanny would ask me what fruit I wanted. Lydia would smile and say strawberries and cherries.

I didn't argue. I didn't expect Dylan would bring these today. It would've been better if he hadn't.

Freya stretched lazily in my arms and then turned over to continue sleeping.

An idea suddenly came to mind.

I wondered if Lydia regretted taking my place now.

But I didn't regret it. After leaving, my life became bright and easy. I finished high school and college step by step and opened a flower shop in Tanelle after graduation.

I worked from sunrise to sunset.

I was very satisfied with my life, but life always liked to play tricks on me.

Half a month ago, news of Isaac's severe illness spread online. What I feared most had happened.

The Jones family discovered Lydia's true identity, reversing the switched-at-birth story again.

Seeing Dylan's attitude today, I realized the Jones family wouldn't give up easily. They were powerful, and I was alone.

If they were more forceful and took me away, I couldn't do anything. But fortunately, the organ donation consent form needed my signature. This was probably my last bargaining chip.

After feeding Freya cat food, I went to bed on time.

But with worries on my mind, I tossed and turned all night.

At nine the next morning, I packed Freya in a cat bag and prepared to go to the shop.

I had taken a day off yesterday because of Dylan, so I had to go today.

When I went out, I noticed the door across the hall had been open, with a bento box on a simple table.

A glance into the living room showed it was simple and clear, very much Dylan's style.

Seeing me come out, he took a long stride and walked up to me.

"I found out this is your favorite breakfast."

This time, he did put some thought into it.

I smiled at him. "Mr. Jones, haven't you heard a saying?"

Dylan's eyes flickered.

I said slowly, "Late affection is cheaper than grass, and so is family love."

I brushed his hand away again and went downstairs with Freya.

5

Even so, Dylan didn't give up.

There were always tables and chairs outside my flower shop for customers or passersby to rest. But today, Dylan sat there working.

He bought many bouquets from the shop, so I had no reason to drive him away.

I could only sulkily hold Freya, watch TV, and arrange flowers.

The flower shop usually had four part-time workers. There were three girls and one boy, all students from Forensic University.

The boy on duty today was named Rowan Clark, standing by the front desk. He glanced back and forth between Dylan and me.

"Ms. Walker, are you going to..."

"Shh!"

I made a shushing gesture and looked at Dylan.

He didn't look at me, just casually pointed in a few directions with his finger. I then noticed that there were many bodyguards around.

No matter where I went, I would be followed. I instantly felt disappointed, unable to muster any energy.

Rowan ran over and asked me, "Ms. Walker, what is your relationship with that man outside?"

It's true that human joys and sorrows do not interconnect. I was filled with grief and indignation, while he just wanted to gossip.

I sighed and didn't reply.

Rowan, who studied acting, imagined a whole drama in his head.

He pulled me to stand in front of Dylan. "I'm her current boyfriend. Please stop harassing her."

His tone was full of emotion and righteousness.

Dylan smiled. He closed his notebook and extended his left hand to Rowan. "Hello, I'm Vivian's biological brother."

Rowan stiffly turned his neck to look at me. I forced a smile while freeing my hand from his grip.

Now both Rowan and I sighed.

Rowan looked at me with a sorrowful expression. "Ms. Walker, did you have a fight with your brother?"

"Really, how can a guy be so interested in gossip?"

"Rowan, do you know why a person can live so long?" I stared intently into his eyes.

Rowan smiled innocently. "I know. Because it doesn't care about..."

Watching his cheerful smile gradually disappear, I laughed in exasperation.

"Alright, alright! Get back to work and stop worrying about irrelevant things."

I waved him off and lowered my head to start wrapping a bouquet.

Dylan was more patient than I expected. This further proved how serious Isaac's condition was.

How could I get Dylan to give up?

While I was thinking, Rowan came in from outside, pouting and looking unhappy.

"Ms. Walker, did your family arrange a blind date for you? Are they here to take you back?"

I was speechless. What scenario was he imagining now?

Dylan wasn't here to take me back. He was clearly here to take my kidney.

Rowan said, "Ms. Walker? Ms. Walker?" He waved his hand in front of my face.

Annoyed, I said, "Fine, whatever you say."

Rowan's face immediately scrunched up. He pouted, looking unhappy.

I didn't want to deal with him. I continued thinking about how to get rid of Dylan.

After a while, Rowan brought a small stool and sat in front of me.

"Ms. Walker, why don't you tell your brother you have a boyfriend? That way, they won't take you away."

I said helplessly, "Where am I supposed to find a boyfriend now?"

Rowan leaned closer to me with a faint scent of orange.

"Isn't there one right here?"

6

Rowan's idea was simple. Let him pretend to be my boyfriend to deter Dylan.

I found it ridiculous and immediately refused, but Rowan became even more persistent.

"Didn't you say you liked a girl before? Now you want to pretend to be my boyfriend? Aren't you afraid she'll be mad? Besides, I don't need a fake boyfriend!"

Facing my anger, Rowan lowered his head. His voice sounded particularly hoarse. "Have you really never known that the person I like is you?"