Chapter 17
421words
This was his first visit, bringing no gifts, but carrying my favorite clothes and shoes.
Ethan Shaw opened the door bare-chested: "Looking for Pearl?"
He turned to look at me as I walked out wrapped in a towel after just taking a shower.
My brother tossed his luggage inside and said to Ethan Shaw:
"I need to ask a favor."
"You came to see me?"
Although my brother had seemingly accepted Ethan Shaw as my husband, at the company level, our two families remained competitors.
He took out a document from his suitcase:
"I'll give you all the projects for this season and the next, with just one condition—could you accept Lily Smith as your sworn sister?"
My heart suddenly ached.
In all my years, this was the first time I'd seen my brother humbly asking someone for a favor.
I rushed forward to grab the document, pounding his chest forcefully, feeling both angry and heartbroken:
"You've done so much for her—does she even know?!"
"She doesn't know, and don't tell her."
My brother's words completely shattered my defenses.
What if Lily Smith doesn't actually love him?
What if my brother ends up heartbroken, heading toward that same tragic ending from the original plot?
Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
My brother hates seeing me cry, and immediately became flustered, quickly reaching out to wipe my tears:
"I may talk tough, but I know damn well that mom and dad probably won't accept Lily."
At that moment, Ethan Shaw stepped forward and spoke calmly:
"Mr. Feng, you should have told Pearl about Lily's past long ago."
"You told her everything?" My brother's eyes widened.
Ethan put his arm around my shoulder and replied calmly: "She's known all along."
My brother suddenly seemed to have a massive weight lifted from his shoulders as he collapsed onto the sofa, his voice weary:
"I didn't tell you before because Lily's too proud, and I didn't want her to feel like a charity case. Later, I kept quiet because you fell for Ethan Shaw... You're sensitive, and I was afraid it would mess things up between you two."
I crouched down and gently stroked my brother's face.
All this time, he'd been silently caught between Lily and me, shouldering the burden alone.
"Brother, does Lily truly love you?"
He suddenly raised his head, his eyes blazing with conviction, his tone absolutely resolute:
"I'm certain she loves me."
