Maya's heart raced as she walked toward Liam, who was waiting where he'd parked his car. She felt excited and nervous; this was her first late-night sneak-around. Liam opened the car door as she approached. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming," he said, watching her.

Maya playfully rolled her eyes. "Why couldn't you just wait until tomorrow?" she asked, stopping in front of him.

"Because I'm very curious," he said. "I couldn't do anything else until I found out what happened." She laughed.

"So, you would have gone home and waited, or come knocking?" she asked dryly, rubbing her arms. She'd left the house in shorts and a tank top, and hadn't realized how chilly it was.

"Let's be glad you came and saved me the trouble," he said, going around the car to open the passenger door.

"You made me lie to Evelyn and sneak around like a silly teenager," she scowled, getting in.

Liam raised an eyebrow, but said nothing until he was in the driver's seat. "They came back, too? Didn't you say they were traveling together, and you joined them? Did you even board the plane?" he asked, once they were settled.

"Yes, they're back. Yes, they were traveling together, and I joined them. Yes, we boarded the plane. Any other questions?" Maya asked, and Liam chuckled.

"Spill it," he urged. "Tell me exactly what happened."

Maya grinned. "Well," she began, "after our phone call, I went to tell Evelyn I was going on an impromptu trip to Husla"

"Maya, skip that. I know from your text," Liam pleaded, knowing she was teasing him.

Maya giggled. "Okay. So, I was on the plane. It was beautiful—my first time on a private jet!" Liam groaned, making her laugh.

"Sorry. While on the plane, I was looking at this," she said, touching the locket around her neck. "I wanted to familiarize myself with my brother's face, to see if I could recognize him as an adult." Liam nodded.

"Evelyn or Derek saw the picture and recognized the people in it?" he asked. Maya grinned.

"Yes. But let me get to that," she said, her heart racing as she relived the moment.

"Okay. Fine. Get on with it," he said.

"When I looked up, my gaze fell on Derek, and he looked like the adult version"

Liam chuckled. "Don't tell me you went to him and told him that."

Maya laughed. "I didn't. But a short while later… wait, I skipped something," she said. Liam groaned and covered his face.

"Relax," she giggled. "Last night at dinner, Derek seemed interested in my necklace." Liam frowned, piecing things together.

"Is this going where I think?" he asked, disbelieving. "That's too much of a coincidence. It doesn't make sense."

Tears welled in Maya's eyes as she nodded. "Yes, Liam," she said, her voice shaky. "Derek is my biological brother." Tears flowed.

Liam's jaw dropped. He stared at her, speechless. "Maya, you're saying Derek is your brother?" he asked softly. Maya nodded.

"He is. He's the little boy in the picture. He saw it and said so himself," she said, her voice trembling.

"I still can't believe it. I feel like I'm dreaming," Liam said, leaning back and gripping the steering wheel. He exhaled deeply. "Wow," he said finally. "That's… huge, Maya. I don't even know what to say."

Maya quickly wiped her tears. "Neither did I, at first! Imagine—finding out on a plane!" She laughed, a mix of relief and excitement. Liam turned to her, still disbelieving. "So, what did he do? Did he hug you? Did you both cry?"

Maya chuckled. "It wasn't awkward. It was shocking. And yes, he hugged me, and we cried."

Liam shook his head, smiling. "And Evelyn? Was she there?"

"Not at first, but she joined us and wept too. She was so happy! It's all just so…"

"Insane," Liam finished. "It's like something out of a movie."

"I know!" Maya agreed, waving her hands. "I cried like a baby! I was so overwhelmed."

Liam smiled affectionately. "I don't blame you. This is life-changing."

Maya nodded. "It is. My brother just happens to be Derek Stone—Samantha's father! I've been taking care of my niece this whole time! They're my family! Evelyn's going to be my sister-in-law!" she giggled as Liam playfully scowled.

"I suppose you were right about Evelyn and Derek being meant to be," he said.

"Yes. Have you decided to call Evelyn?" she asked. Liam sighed.

"I planned to call this weekend. I will. But let's talk about you. We should celebrate," he said.

"Why do I feel like you're looking for an excuse to hang out?" she teased.

"Because I am! And I want to celebrate with you. I'm glad you found your family, and that your worries were irrelevant," he said. She nodded, smiling.

"I asked Derek why he didn't reveal his identity sooner. He said they didn't want people calling and claiming to be his sister," she said. Liam nodded.

"That makes sense. What happens now? Have you talked about the future?" Liam asked. Maya hesitated.

"What's there to talk about? We talked, but it's still sinking in. It's a lot to process," she said. Liam sighed. "Yeah, you're right." He gently touched her shoulder.

"I'm happy for you, Maya. I'm glad it turned out this way," he said. Maya looked up, her eyes shimmering. "Thank you, Liam. You've been so helpful. Thanks for being a friend I didn't know I needed." Liam waved it off.

"I actually needed this friendship more than you," he said. She smiled.

"Maybe you can be friends with my brother now," she suggested. He groaned softly.

"He's so lucky to have you and Evelyn," he said.

"We're lucky to have him, too. I should head back now. Instead of waiting until the weekend, you should talk to Evelyn tomorrow," she suggested.

"Tomorrow is the weekend, Maya. Don't worry, I will. I'll drop you off," he said, looking her over.

Maya breathed deeply. "No, I can go alone."

"I'm not letting you go alone. It's dark, cold, and you're not exactly dressed warmly," he said. She nodded.

As Liam started the car, he glanced at her. "Maya?"

"Yeah?"

"This is the beginning of something incredible. Don't let anything hold you back, okay?"

Maya smiled. "I won't. Thank you, Liam." He nodded before pulling away. As they drove, Maya leaned back, holding the locket.

At her house, Liam parked. "I'd come to the door, but I don't want them to see me," he said, leaning toward her to open the door. Without thinking, Maya leaned forward and kissed him before he could lean back. Liam blinked in surprise, but before he could react, she was out of the car and running, without a word.