Another hour passed before Lily Turner woke up from her sleep, but it wasn’t on her own—it was the vibrating sound of the phone that woke her.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she reached out for the phone that Easton Holmes had left by the pillow. She glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Ryan Taylor calling, so she answered without a second thought.

"Bro! You’re all about your wife, can’t you think about us brothers for once? Have our friendships been all for nothing?" As soon as the call connected, Ryan’s frustrated voice came through quickly, not giving Lily a chance to interrupt.

Hearing this, Lily instantly replied, "You got a problem?"

After spending so much time with Easton, both her tone and demeanor had taken on his style.

"Lily?!" Ryan had expected Easton on the other end but was surprised to hear Lily’s voice, relieved he hadn’t said anything inappropriate earlier.

He quickly regained his composure and chuckled, "No problemo, just joking around just now."

How could he have a problem? She was his cousin, and he was delighted her husband treated her well.

"...Bro! Earlier I..."

"What did you call me?!"

Ryan heard Lily calling him bro, and he was so surprised and incredulous that he could hardly believe his ears.

When hearing herself called Lily a moment ago, the thought of calling him bro flashed through her mind. His surprise was understandable.

She had abruptly decided to call him bro, and since she’d made that decision, she wouldn’t go back on it.

"I called you bro; you didn’t hear wrong, and I didn’t say it wrong, unless you don’t want to acknowledge me as your sister." Though Lily hadn’t had much interaction with Ryan, she knew he was upright and seemed easy to get along with. Having a brother was certainly a good thing.

Upon receiving Lily’s assured affirmation, Ryan instantly smiled, "Why wouldn’t I want to acknowledge you as my sister? I’m thrilled beyond measure."

The family had been eagerly hoping for her to reconnect with them, and hearing this gave him hope. Recognizing him as her cousin meant she would surely acknowledge his parents too.

If things proceeded like this, she’d soon reconnect with the family, a significant event they’d long anticipated.

"Really? Why don’t I feel your joy? Your shock seems much clearer." Though unable to see him, Lily sensed Ryan’s happiness, along with his surprise.

Over the phone, Ryan realized Lily was joking with him. He could also tell she was happy, feeling casual with him, no longer as reserved as before.

"Of course it’s true, I’d never dare deceive you; Easton would be upset with me." In his delight, he joined Lily in joking around.

"Would he really be upset? He and..."

Squeak!

Just then, Easton Holmes entered the room, seeing Lily awake and chatting happily on the phone. He thought the person on the other end might be her mother.