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?"

After he finished speaking, he looked up and quietly watched me. His eyes were full of hidden emotions.

Hearing this, I felt a headache coming on.

"Let's close early today," I said.

After tidying up the shop, I took Freya home.

Rowan and Dylan followed me, one on each side, like two debt collectors. Strangely, they seemed to be getting along well.

I saw Dylan giving Rowan a gentle smile as we passed a corner.

When we reached the entrance, Rowan stopped following. Dylan quickly approached me and asked, "Is he your boyfriend?"

"What if he is? What if he isn't?" I said.

"I shouldn't interfere in your personal life, but this guy isn't right for you. He's scheming. Be careful," he said.

His evaluation of Rowan was unfriendly. I was a bit puzzled.

It was evening, and the golden sunlight brushed his eyelashes, making his eyes look dazzling yet cold.

Suddenly, I remembered a Jones family gathering from a few years ago.

I couldn't recall Dylan's exact age that year.

The main guest at the banquet was an overseas supplier, and his daughter loved sweets.

Dylan followed his father's arrangement. Although he usually didn't like sweets, he ate two plates of cake to make the little girl happy.

The girl was supposed to be accompanied by me. But because of my timidity, Dylan took over.

At that time, I saw the same cold look in Dylan's eyes as I did today.

But for someone like him to care about my personal life, it seemed Isaac really couldn't find a suitable kidney.

"Mr. Jones, I advise you to stop wasting your time here and look for other opportunities," I said.

"Dad and Mom just want to see you. They don't mean to ask you to donate a kidney. You don't need to worry about that," he said.

"What's the point of meeting? Back then, I chose not to be part of the Jones family," I asked.

Dylan, seemingly prepared for this, gave a light "hmm" and had no other reaction.

Since he was like this, I couldn't say much more. I just held Freya and went home.

7

The situation was one coming after another.

Faced with Rowan's sudden confession, I felt uneasy. My intuition told me something was wrong, but I couldn't pinpoint what.

I wanted to persuade Rowan to quit, but he said, "Is it wrong to like someone? Should I be fired for confessing to you? Even if I leave, I won't give up on you," he said.

His words were too righteous. I couldn't argue back.

I remembered he was the only staff member left on duty. I had to keep him and deal with it later.

Rowan, however, pushed his luck. Early in the morning, just as I opened the shop, he stood at the door grinning.

Behind him was Dylan, with his long eyebrows furrowed, wearing gold-rimmed glasses. He looked inscrutable.

Seeing them like this, I felt like a piece of meat being chased to be shared.

I walked slowly down the street with Freya while Rowan and Dylan followed on either side.

The distance was just right for me to hear Rowan's voice.

"Mr. Jones, when do you plan to return to Dawson?"

I immediately perked up my ears.

"In a while," Dylan said.

"There are some nice islands around here in Tanelle. If you don't mind, I can show you around," Rowan said, sounding oddly sycophantic.