Alone in the silent house, Maya pondered Evelyn and Derek's words about her becoming part of their family. She sighed softly, feeling grateful for their love.

Initially, she'd wanted to hide her illness from Evelyn, fearing she might be fired and unable to care for Samantha. She marveled at the kindness of total strangers, contrasting it with her stepfather's indifference—the man who'd practically raised her, yet treated her as if she were nothing.

Her phone buzzed, and she raised an eyebrow, wondering who was calling. An unknown number. Though reluctant, she answered, "Hello?"

"Hello, Maya. It's Liam. Dr. Liam," he said. A smile touched her lips at the sound of his voice.

"I knew it was you," she replied. "Even before you spoke."

Liam paused, amused. He hadn't expected her to recognize his voice. Their conversations were brief; their longest had been during her last hospital visit, otherwise just pleasantries and goodbyes.

"I guess you got my number from my file," Maya continued. "And in case you called to see if I told Evelyn about you, don't worry. I didn't."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "That's not why I called. I wanted to know how you were doing."

Maya hesitated, wondering if this was a routine patient check-in or something more.

"Are you there?" Liam asked, sensing her silence.

"Yes. I'm trying to decide if you want a medical update or a personal one," she replied.

Liam chuckled. "I'm not sure what you mean. You were upset when you left my office. I just wanted to see if you're feeling better." Knowing she hadn't told Evelyn and that, like him, she lacked friends, he figured she might need someone to talk to.

Maya smiled. "I guess I'm fine. I'm sorry I left that way after agreeing to lunch."

"No apology needed. Your reaction was perfectly normal," Liam reassured her.

"Thank you for understanding," she said quietly.

An awkward silence stretched between them. Unsure what to say, she asked, "So, how's work? And Ludus?"

"Work's fine. But I'm not enjoying Ludus. I'm bored at home unpacking, and I don't even know where to go."

"You should tell Evelyn you're here," Maya advised. "You'd have a place to hang out, maybe even become friends with Samantha's dad. He's nice." Liam winced, feeling oddly betrayed that Maya approved of Derek. "I'm sure he is," he murmured; he knew Derek was nice, but couldn't imagine being friends with Evelyn's partner.

"I'm home alone. Want to hang out?" Maya offered.

Liam grinned. "I was hoping you'd say that."

"I'll text you my address, or tell me where you're comfortable, and we'll meet," Liam suggested, mindful of social conventions.

"I'll come help you unpack," Maya offered. "And maybe we can grab something to eat afterward."

"I'll text you the address now," Liam said before hanging up.

Shortly after, she arrived at his apartment. Liam opened the door with a wide smile. "Maya! Welcome!"

"Thank you," she replied, entering the spacious apartment. Life was full of surprises; she never imagined visiting Liam like this.

"Please sit. Can I get you anything?" Liam asked.

"No, let's get started," she said, placing her bag on the couch.

"You just arrived; you're my guest," Liam countered. "Let's sit first."

"Your place is nice," Maya commented, surveying the unpacked boxes.

"Thanks. Anything I can get you?" he repeated.

"Maybe later. Why don't you tell Evelyn you're here? Did you two fight?"

Liam sighed. "It's embarrassing."

"You moved here because you like her, but then Derek showed up?" Maya guessed. Liam's eyes widened slightly.

"How did you know? Did she tell you?"

Maya laughed softly. "Not exactly. Logical deduction. You two seemed fine when you visited, but then I saw Derek, and you were gone. Next thing I know, you're in your office, and you don't want Evelyn to know you're in Ludus."

Liam smiled. "You're sharp. That's exactly what happened. I told her how I felt, then he showed up, and I felt like an idiot, especially after moving here." Instead of sympathy, Maya pressed her lips together to stifle laughter.

"Are you laughing at me?" Liam asked.

Maya's laughter erupted. Watching her unrestrained mirth, Liam joined in.

"I'm sorry," she said, wiping her eyes. "It's just so funny. You made a gallant move, but your timing was awful."

Liam smiled. "Yeah. And maybe I should have asked instead of assuming."

"Yeah. But maybe this was meant to be. You being here. I believe everything happens for a reason. You never know what awaits you."

"Maybe I'm here to be your doctor," he joked.

"Maybe," she grinned. "By the way, I told Evelyn."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "You changed your mind?"

Maya nodded. "I was worried for nothing. I didn't want to tell her because I was scared she'd fire me if I needed surgery, so I planned to quit."

"Why would you think that? Evelyn considers you family. She'd never do that," Liam said.

"Yeah. I forgot not everyone's out to use people," Maya said softly. "Life's taught me to expect the worst, then be pleasantly surprised when people are good."

Liam nodded thoughtfully. "That's deep. So, what did she say?" Maya recounted Evelyn and Derek's reaction.

"I hate that he's such a nice guy," Liam groaned.

"He is. He became friends with Samantha without knowing she was his daughter," Maya said.

Liam raised an eyebrow. Maya explained their first encounter with Derek and Evelyn's later realization.

"so, I'm telling you this for closure. Those two—or three—are meant to be," Maya concluded.

"Thanks," Liam said. "So, when are you telling her you're here?"

"When I can bear seeing her with him," Liam admitted.

"Fair enough."

"What do you want to study?" he asked.

"Psychology," she replied.

"Huh? Unexpected," he said.

"I like studying people—how they think and behave."

"You're more interesting than I thought," Liam commented.

"Thanks."

"What about your family? Are they okay with you being so far away?"

Maya sighed. "I don't have any family." Her stepfather didn't count, and before her mother died, she'd revealed Maya wasn't her biological child and that she had an older brother in an orphanage. Maya wasn't sure what to do with that information or how to find a brother she barely remembered. That didn't really count as family either, she thought, since he likely didn't even know of her existence.