13

Lila woke early, calling the hospital to arrange a visit to her mother. Meanwhile, Lu Zhe was already at his company, digging into his breakfast and issuing orders to his assistant: investigate Lila's past. Her recent distance intrigued him, softening his old disdain. Their relationship was a tightrope—delicate, dangerous, undefined.

At the hospital, Lila entered the familiar special care ward. Tracy, the warm, fifty-something caregiver Jo An had hired for Elian, greeted her with a smile. "Lila, here to see your mom?"

Lila set down a bag of pastries, nodding. "How's she been, Aunt Tracy? Try these snacks."

Lila's gratitude for Tracy ran deep. Unlike Vanessa and Susan's venom, Tracy's kindness made her a second mother—more family than the Jo household ever was.

"Your mom's looking a bit better, but she's still on IV nutrients. She's getting thinner…" Tracy sighed, then brightened. "No need to splurge on me, dear. I'm not that peckish."

Lila's heart ached, guilt gnawing at her for being away so long. Standing by the bed, she clasped Elian's cold, frail hand, its faint warmth a lifeline.

"Thank you, Aunt Tracy, for everything," Lila said, her voice thick with sincerity.

Tracy chuckled, bashful. "Oh, stop. Your mom's easy to care for, and the pay's good. My son's gone, so looking after her keeps me company. You're like my own daughter, Lila."

Lila's eyes stung, her throat tight. "Don't cry, sweet girl," Tracy said, patting her head. "Talk to your mom. I'll step out."

Alone, Lila leaned against Elian's chest, feeling the faint heartbeat. "Mom…" Tears slipped down as she traced her mother's familiar face. "I thought I'd lost you forever… that Vanessa had killed me. But I got a second chance. I won't let anyone hurt us again. I'll shine brighter than anyone—and make Vanessa pay."

"And… the guy I love," she whispered, "I'm still not sure about him." Her words poured out, unburdening years of silence.

At noon, Tracy returned with takeout. They ate simply, and Lila left soon after—she couldn't linger, not with Vanessa and Susan lurking.

Her phone buzzed with great news: their contest project passed the prelims. Finals were in three days. She rallied her team for a meeting, noting they needed one more member. Texting Wendy, she wrote, "Post another recruitment ad. I'll handle sign-ups and aim to fill the spot in a week."

Wendy shot back, "On it!"

Lila realized some documents were still at the Jo house. Steeling herself, she headed there—a place that had never welcomed her.

Jo An was in the living room, their exchange curt. "Dad," she said politely.

"Back?" he grunted.

"Just grabbing some things."

"Don't embarrass the Jo family," he said coldly. Despite Vanessa's banquet scheme, he still saw Lila as an outsider.

Lila understood but was grateful for his past shelter. She grabbed her papers and turned to leave—only to run into Vanessa at the door.

Vanessa sneered, nose high. "What, Lu Zhe kicked you out? Shameless!"

Lila's smile was icy. "Done?"

Vanessa blocked her path. "You grovel for scraps, get dumped like trash, and still crawl back? The Jo family doesn't take losers!"

Lila's eyes flashed, her lips curling. "You call me a dog? What does that make you, Vanessa? Think I won't fight back?"

She stomped hard on Vanessa's stiletto, grinding her heel in.

"Ow! Lila, you bitch!" Vanessa shrieked, hobbling to Susan for sympathy.

Lila ignored her tired act, striding out as Susan's voice thundered, "Lila! We raised you, and this is how you repay us?"

"I play nice with humans," Lila shot back, "but with animals? No need."

Susan clutched her chest, gasping, while Vanessa fake-sobbed, "Mom, I've got a plan. Lila, you'll regret this!"

Lila smirked inwardly. Bring it on.

Back at school, she dove into final-round prep. That afternoon, the apartment manager called about a delivery—a gleaming new piano, fully assembled. Lu Zhe wasn't there, but he'd clearly followed through.

Lila sent him a hesitant thank-you text, expecting silence. Thirty minutes later, her phone lit up with his reply. She stared at the piano, emotions swirling.

That night, Lu Zhe worked late. Lila, back from her shift with takeout, crashed early. At 3 a.m., a call jolted her awake.

"Lila, open the door."

Lu Zhe stood outside, reeking of liquor, his face dark, like a wounded puppy. His assistant explained: a contract signing with foreign clients turned into a drinking marathon. Lu Zhe outdrank them all but was plastered.

"Why'd you drink so much?" Lila grumbled, guiding him to the bathroom. She washed his face, peeled off his jacket, his heavy frame leaning into her, making every step a struggle.

Hot water revived him slightly as Lila bustled about, sleep forgotten. She heated a glass of milk in the kitchen.

"Lila…" His voice, low and husky, sent a shiver through her.

She turned. He leaned against the doorway, his gaze burning.

"Lila…" The call came again, edged with something like anger.

Frowning, she handed him the milk. "Drink."

He downed it in one go, then grabbed her wrist, pulling her into a searing kiss. The warmth of milk lingered, his lips scorching, her heart pounding like a drum.

"Why do you keep avoiding me?" he murmured, a mocking edge to his voice.

Lila shoved him back, her voice sharp. "You hate me, don't you? Me staying out of your way is what you want."

But her heart was a mess, stirred by that kiss.

"Then vanish from my life completely," he said, leaning closer, his breath hot.

Her thoughts tangled, she stayed silent until— "I'm afraid if I do, you'll never find me again."

He stared, muttering, "Lila, you've changed… you're not so bad anymore." His words slurred, but one phrase hit clear: "I think I'm starting to like you."

Lila froze, her mind reeling. She cleaned him up, heart in chaos, and helped him to the guest room. As she turned to leave, he mumbled, "Lila, I'm not drunk. I'm clear-headed. I…"

"Sleep," she said, shutting the door, her emotions a storm. Was he serious? Drunk truths or empty flattery?

The next morning, Lila overslept, missing her first class. She called Wendy to cover, scrambling to prep for her second. In class, her mind wandered, replaying his words.

At his office, Lu Zhe nursed a hangover, rubbing his temples but powering through. His assistant slid a file across his desk—Lila's background.

She wasn't just an orphan. A car crash killed her father and left her mother, Elian, comatose. At six, Lila was sent to an orphanage. Jo An adopted her under a deal to fund Elian's care.

"Any details on the crash?" Lu Zhe asked, scanning the report.

"No, sir. Police ruled it drunk driving. Elian's records are sparse—almost nonexistent. Lila was six, crying at the station until the orphanage took her."

Lu Zhe's fingers tapped the desk, his brow furrowed. She's been through that?

"And her personality shift?"

"Around the engagement banquet, but no clear trigger. Maybe leaving the Jo house let her drop the act."

Lu Zhe smirked faintly. "Piano, painting, dancing? She's a jack-of-all-trades." He leaned back, eyes narrowing. "Keep digging. I want everything."