"You don't need to go out of your way for me, Dylan."

Dylan's voice carried a rough edge.

“I'm just looking after my primary cash cow, okay?"

He lifted her luggage with a quick motion and made his way downstairs.

Laura watched him leave, her gaze Lingering.

She wasn't naive; she understood the undertones of Dylan's concern, yet their eight-year history had bonded them like family.

Fresh from a breakup, she wasn't ready to traverse the path of a new relationship.

Her apartment had sat empty for three months.

Dylan had kept it clean though, sparing her mother any hint of her recent split with "Nelson." It was a detail Laura chose not to disclose.

Once home, Laura and Lina were alone together.

Lina, setting down her bags, remarked softly, “Dylan really looks out for you."

Laura agreed.

"He does; he's very good to me."

Lina's smile hinted at deeper implications.

"You see what I'm saying."

Laura wasn't one for household chores but showed filial respect by brewing a fragrant tea. They settled on the dark leather sofa, sipping and chatting comfortably.

Lina contemplated bringing up Mark and Cecilia but decided against it, sensing Laura's emotional wounds were still raw and Likely didn't expect to reconnect with Mark anytime soon.

Instead, Lina shared news of her son's life abroad, as well as his wife's pregnancy.

Laura offered a warm smile.

"I'll send a gift to my brother and his wife."