Chapter 323

“Keira!” Yuna shot up, eyes wide. “What did you just say? You like Professor Neumann too? No way—you can only like my brother!”

She stared at me with sudden urgency, the earlier anxiety gone.

I stifled a laugh, affecting a helpless expression. “But he’s so handsome! The first time I saw him, I thought, ‘Wait, is this a doctor or a magazine model?’”

“No way,” Yuna clung to my arm, desperate. “Sure, he’s good-looking, but he’s not as handsome as Hayden. He doesn’t have Hayden’s…masculinity. And most importantly, Hayden’s honest and genuine—unlike this doctor.”

I raised an eyebrow, amused. “Oh? Professor Neumann isn’t genuine? How can you tell?”

Yuna pouted and shook my arm. “You can’t like anyone other than my brother. You’re his.” This girl possessed serious brand loyalty.

“You’re a believer in that one true love, ride-or-die kind of romance, huh?” I teased, knowing the source of her conviction—those romance novels she devoured. In those stories, despite obstacles, the main characters always end up together. Yuna, with her head full of romantic fantasies, likely dreamed of that kind of love—a destined pairing, no exceptions.

“Exactly!” Yuna nodded, dead serious. “So, you and Hayden? That’s it. You’re not allowed to like anyone else.”

“Professor Neumann already likes someone,” I said gently, guiding the conversation. “If you liked him, you’d either hope they don’t end up together, or you’d be stuck as the second lead, dealing with unrequited love—just like in those novels.”

Yuna’s eyes widened in shock. “He has a girlfriend?”

Before I could answer, she continued, “Well, I guess that makes sense. A guy as handsome and charming as him would, of course, have someone.”

Seeing her understanding dawn, I nodded. “Exactly. Want to know who he likes?”

Yuna shook her head. “This was the first time I even saw him. How would I know?”

“It’s Dr. Lane,” I revealed.

Her eyes widened, then the sparkle faded as reality set in. Yuna leaned her head on my shoulder and sighed. “No wonder a famous doctor like him came personally to check on me. It was because of his girlfriend.”

We sat quietly, staring out the window. I decided to elaborate. “Dr. Lane has had feelings for Professor Neumann since medical school. She worked so hard to get into the same program, just to be near him. Everything she’s accomplished—it’s all because of that love.”

Yuna listened carefully, then exclaimed, “And he never knew? How could Dr. Lane keep quiet for so long? If you love someone, you have to say it out loud!”

“Exactly,” I said. “I encouraged her to confess, but she never did. Professor Neumann just happened to overhear our conversation, so now he knows about her feelings.”

I glanced at Yuna, watching her process this before teasing, “And guess what? I saw the same look in Professor Neumann’s eyes when he looked at Dr. Lane—the same sparkle you had when you were staring at him earlier.”

Her face turned bright red. “Keira, stop! I get it. I won’t like Professor Neumann anymore,” she muttered, then added, “But he really is the most handsome man I’ve ever met…well, except for Hayden.”

I laughed at her quick recovery. “Yes, except for Hayden.”

“You can only like Hayden,” Yuna reminded me, her voice full of concern, as if I might change my mind at any second.

I patted her head, smiling. “Don’t worry. Hayden and I still have to give you a baby to spoil, remember?”

Her face lit up. “Are you really going to have a baby with him?”

I laughed at her excitement. “Yep, and hopefully, we’ll have a little girl as beautiful as you.”

“Twins would be even better!” Yuna added, getting carried away.

“Sure, if he’s up for the challenge,” I teased, just as Hayden’s tall figure appeared in the doorway.

Yuna’s eyes flicked to him. “Hayden, did you hear that? Keira said—”

“I heard,” Hayden cut in, his eyes locked on me.

I froze.