Derek and Maya remained in each other's embrace, their hearts beating in sync as the intensity of the moment enveloped them. Everything else faded away, leaving only the warmth of their connection and the unspoken words lingering between them.

Evelyn carefully stepped back into the sleeping area, unwilling to interrupt their reunion. Her heart was at ease; she knew Derek's sister was Maya, whom they already considered family. After what seemed like forever, Derek pulled away to look at Maya's face—a face he'd grown accustomed to without knowing it was his sister's.

He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, a new thought occurring. They were still en route to Husla; they should have been returning to Ludus.

"Give me a moment. I need to speak to the pilot," he said. Maya nodded.

"I suppose you want to tell him we're turning around," Maya said awkwardly. Derek nodded.

"Yeah. I'll be right back. We have so much to talk about," he said before going to inform the pilot of the change of plans.

As Maya waited, tears streamed down her cheeks, a shaky smile curving her lips. Her mind drifted to that morning's revelations: Evelyn was her sister-in-law; Samantha, whom she'd nurtured since infancy, was her niece; and she was expecting another niece or nephew. The realization that she'd raised her brother's child without knowing brought fresh tears. Like Samantha, she'd met her brother on her first day in Ludus, also without realizing it.

She looked up as Derek returned, sniffling. "I still can't believe it. You're really my brother?" she asked as he sat opposite her.

"I'm still trying to believe it myself, but I'm glad it's you," he said, brushing the tears from her cheeks.

"You remember this?" Maya asked, referring to the locket that had drawn Derek's attention.

"Not entirely. It just seemed familiar last night, and I couldn't place it. Then I had a dream—something similar," Derek said. Maya looked down at the locket. "Perhaps you would have recognized it if I'd shown it to you sooner. Yesterday was the first time I'd worn it since receiving it from my late mother," she explained.

"What did she tell you? How long have you been searching for me?" Derek asked. Maya took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts.

"I only recently started searching. I wasn't sure you'd remember me, or want me in your life. But I felt the urge to find you," she said. Derek leaned back, his eyes locked on hers. "Have you always known about me?" he asked. Maya shook her head.

"I only learned about you a few years ago, when my adoptive mother was dying. She told me the truth: she wasn't my birth mother; my parents had died in a car crash when I was a baby; and she'd taken my brother to an orphanage because she couldn't care for both of us."

Her voice cracked, but she continued. "She gave me this locket, saying it was all that remained of my real family. I had it when she found me. All this time, I hadn't thought of finding my brother, even though I had the information. But after receiving so much love from you and Evelyn, I decided to find him—if he was even alive. I never imagined it would be you, Derek. I didn't think I'd ever find you," she said, tears flowing.

"I'm sorry I didn't find you sooner. I can't imagine how hard it must have been," Derek said softly.

"I always knew I was adopted, but knew nothing about you. I'd completely lost my memory of my life before the accident. I only recently learned of your existence, and that's why I started searching," Derek said. Maya nodded, understanding he'd been a child then. "Better late than never, right?" she asked. Derek took a shaky breath, his gaze softening as he nodded.

"Tell me everything, Maya. I want to know everything. Tell me about your mother. How did she find us?" Derek asked, curious about how she'd rescued them from the car wreck.

"She said she was returning home from a late-night shift when she saw the car. It was burning, but my brother—you—were seated away from the car, with me in your arms, crying. We were both terrified. She said she couldn't ignore our cries, so she stopped to help. Our parents were already gone by the time she arrived. She couldn't save them" Maya paused, her voice trembling as she wiped away her tears.

Although Derek was confused about how he'd gotten out of the car with Maya, he knew she wouldn't have the answer, as she was recounting the story as it had been told to her.

"She took us home that night, fearing I wouldn't survive without immediate care. She planned to keep both of us, but her circumstances were dire. She barely had enough to feed herself, let alone two children. So, the next morning, she took you to the orphanage and kept me. She said it broke her heart to separate us, but she thought you'd have a better chance at life there."

Derek leaned forward, his voice filled with quiet intensity. "I don't blame her. It must have been an impossible choice. But she saved our lives. Without her, neither of us would be here today."

Maya nodded, a bittersweet smile on her face. "She was a good woman, Derek. She raised me despite her husband's objections, and gave me everything she could. I loved her deeply, and I miss her every day."

Derek reached across and took her hands. "I wish I could have met her. She sounds like a remarkable woman."

"She was," Maya whispered, squeezing his hands.

"Things must have been tough after her death," he said. Maya nodded.

"Her husband made life difficult, but thankfully, Evelyn showed up and employed me as her live-in nanny. I've been with her ever since," Maya said, then smiled. "Evelyn is going to be so shocked when she finds out I'm your sister."

Derek smiled. "Yes. And she brought you to me without knowing," he said, his heart filled with gratitude for Evelyn.

"Life is unpredictable," Maya said thoughtfully. "I never would have imagined this. I was still in awe of your relationship with Samantha, and now this," she said, and Derek squeezed her hand.

He knew he should tell her about their parents' deaths, but now didn't seem the time. He would eventually, but for now, he wanted them to savor this moment.

They spent the next few hours talking about their lives, crying, smiling, and laughing at their reunion.

As the jet prepared to land, Derek rose. "I should check on Evelyn. I'll join you shortly," he said softly.

Maya nodded. "You should," she said, wondering about Evelyn's reaction. Yes, she was Derek's sister. She mused on it, a smile gracing her lips. No matter how many times she said it, it still amazed her.

As she watched Derek go, she wondered about Liam's reaction, and Derek and Evelyn's parents. She'd think about that later. What mattered was that she'd found her brother, and he already considered her family, so she felt no fear of rejection.

Derek entered the sleeping area to find Evelyn sitting up, wide awake, her eyes red-rimmed but steady. Her expression was unreadable.

"How long have you been awake? Are you okay? Why are you crying?" he asked with concern, taking her hands.

"I'm okay. I just couldn't sleep," she said, embracing him. Derek hugged her back. "I need to tell you something," he said softly, but Evelyn pulled back.

"I know," she said, her voice trembling. "I overheard everything."

"You did?" he asked, surprised. She nodded.

"I'm so happy for you, Derek. For Maya, too. It's incredible that you're siblings. I still can't believe it," she said, tears falling. Derek brushed them away. "You made this possible, baby. You've been caring for my sister this whole time," he said, his voice trembling.

"She's been caring for Sam and me," Evelyn said, embracing him again. "And I'm sorry," she said. Derek frowned.

"What for?" he asked, confused.

"I realize now why you were looking at her necklace. I can't believe I"

"Let's not talk about that. It's in the past," he said, kissing her lightly and hugging her again.

"Thank you," he murmured after a while.

"What for?" Evelyn asked, confused.

"For everything. Thank you for bringing Samantha and Maya into my life. You gave me a complete family," he said, feeling more grateful than ever. Evelyn's face broke into a small, teary smile. "It wasn't me, Derek. The universe is in favor of you. That's why they sent Maya to me," she said.

"You should go back to her. She needs her brother," Evelyn urged. Derek nodded.

"Come with me. Let's go together," Derek said. Although Evelyn was reluctant, Derek took her with him.

As they entered, Maya looked up. Seeing Evelyn, she rose, tears welling up again. "I Derek he's"

Evelyn hugged her. "It's okay, Maya," she whispered. "I know everything, and I'm happy for you both."

The women cried in each other's arms while Derek watched with gratitude and love. His eyes teared up as he embraced them both.

They settled in their seats as the pilot announced their approach to landing, each struggling to compose themselves. As the jet descended, they were filled with gratitude for fate, hope, and anticipation of the future. The past hours had been miraculous, and the bonds discovered, nurtured, and reinforced during the flight marked a new chapter—one filled with promise and healing.