"How could that be?" Maeve shook her head. "I should have asked you first."

Theo jumped off the chair and ran into the kitchen. He returned with a cup of fruit and vegetable milkshake. Tiptoeing, he placed it before the man in the trench coat. "Sir, drink this. You'll feel better."

His mother had made the milkshake for him and Will that morning. He hadn't finished it and had planned to save it for tonight, but now he had to give it to this man.

"Thank you," the man in the trench coat said softly. Despite having just vomited, he seemed unforced and finished the milkshake. Unexpectedly, he didn't vomit again after a few minutes.

When Theo was one, his stomach was weak, and he couldn't eat many things. Maeve had experimented extensively to develop the milkshake recipe. Surprisingly, it also helped the man in the trench coat. The burning pain in his stomach subsided. It had been a long time since he'd felt the satisfaction of eating. He hesitated, then said, "Can I have more?" Such a simple request paled in comparison to the help he'd offered Theo.

Maeve smiled and got up to go to the kitchen.

"Sir, I still don't know your name," Theo said, placing his hands on the table. "You can call me Theo."

The man in the trench coat hesitated. "My name is probably Tom Hum."

"Probably? Don't you remember your name?"

"No, not clearly."

Theo gasped. "Sir, have you lost your memory?"

The man in the trench coat remained silent. Theo looked at him sympathetically. He had amnesia and anorexia—he was pitiful.

At that moment, Maeve returned with two large cups of fruit and vegetable milkshake. "Mr. Hum, this is for you." She'd overheard their conversation and smiled as she placed a milkshake before him. "Kid, this is yours."

"Thank you, Mommy!" Theo lifted his head cheerfully, then froze.

In the gaming hall, he'd felt Tom's eyes were familiar, though he couldn't explain why. Looking at Tom and Maeve together, he understood.

"Mommy, Tom's eyes are similar to yours," Theo said thoughtfully, holding his milkshake.

Maeve subconsciously looked at Tom, who was also looking at her. Tom's eyes were honey brown with a hint of gray, like glasses buried in the bottom of a dusty lake. Maeve's were clear and bright, like a rain-washed sky. When she smiled, she looked sweet. Their eyes were similar, but not identical.

Tom looked at her, dazed. "They do look alike." But he didn't think her eyes were like his, yet he couldn't explain whose they resembled.

Maeve felt no similarity, but didn't contradict them.

"Mr. Hum, do you remember anyone in your family?" Maeve asked after sitting down.

Tom was silent. "I can't remember."

"Do you have a job?"

"No."

Theo put down his bowl and asked, "Sir, what do you eat?"

"Occasionally, I'm a bodyguard, barely making ends meet."

Theo pitied him even more.

Maeve considered this. "Mr. Hum, I have a studio. Would you be willing to be my bodyguard?"

Tom recalled his plans for the day and was about to refuse, but Maeve continued, "It's because my studio was recently vandalized, causing me considerable trouble. If you're unwilling..."

"Yes," Tom agreed. "I can try." For some reason, he always felt soft-hearted toward this girl. Hearing about the harassment, his desire to protect her superseded his suicidal thoughts.

Tom lowered his eyes. It was better to wait a few more days.

Maeve was unaware of his thoughts. Her eyes curved. "That's great. Thank you."

"No problem."

"Where are you staying?"

"Under the overpass."

Maeve's expression showed her annoyance and regret. She quickly added, "Then, I'll arrange a place for you to stay. It's closer to the studio, making it more convenient for work."

"Sure." Tom was indifferent; he could sleep anywhere.

When Tom went to the washroom, Theo whispered to Maeve, "Mommy, Tom seems suicidal. He doesn't seem to care about anything, is easily distracted, and might be depressed. It's warm today, but he's wrapped up as if he's freezing."

Maeve had noticed this too. "Maybe it's related to his amnesia? He might improve once he finds purpose." She'd suggested he work at Dreamscape to prevent suicide.

Relieved, Theo said, "He's a nice person. I'll talk to Jaylen about his anorexia." Amnesia, however, was incurable.

Maeve smiled, patting his head. "Alright, let's return this favor."

After a while, Tom emerged from the washroom, his scarf obscuring his face. Maeve gave him keys to an apartment near the studio, then walked him to the door. As she opened the door, the apartment door opposite opened, revealing Byron in casual clothes. His gaze fell on Tom, and his expression darkened. "Who is he?"

Maeve, remembering Byron's earlier words, said angrily, "You don't need to know. It's none of your business."

Byron narrowed his eyes and snorted.

"I'll go," Tom said, uninterested, and headed for the elevator.

Maeve turned to return to her room when Byron pulled her into a hug. She struggled. "Byron, are you finished?"

Byron rested his chin on her head. "Not at all. Is your knee better?"

"Yes!" Maeve lowered her voice, remembering Theo. "It's just a scratch, not a fracture. I'm not that fragile."

"Let me examine it," Byron insisted, his hand on her wrist, pulling her inside.