<b>Chapter </b><b>455 </b>


    After Ondo left, Owen didn’t linger either. He blurted out, “Pearl, any food allergies or things you don’t eat? I’m going to cook for my girl Aria,”


    The moment Owen said that, both Aria and Lily immediately turned to look at him.


    Owen kept hisposure, though he stole a guilty nce at Aria.


    He thought to himself, ‘Oops, a slip up.’


    Pearl shook her head. “Nope, I’m not picky. I eat everything.”


    “Alright, I’ll get cooking then,” Owen said. Before leaving, he stole a quick nce at Aria.


    Aria had anticipated his nce and gave him a knowing smile. ‘You’ve really gotten the hang of calling me ‘my girl, haven’t you?”


    Owen cleared his throat and hurried out.


    <b>81</b><b>% </b>


    Aria stood up and gently ruffled Pearl’s hair. She said, “Ondo must have told you that you have a biological older sister. If you’d like to meet her, I can help arrange it.”


    Pearl quickly shook her head, her eyes filled with caution. She said softly, “Aria, having you is enough. I don’t want anyone else.”


    Aria gave a helpless smile. “No one’s sending you away. Even if you reunite with her, we’re always family.”


    Pearl’s fingers twisted nervously in herp. She stammered, “What if… what if she doesn’t want me? Maybe it’s better not to disturb her.”


    “How about I contact her first, just so she knows you exist? Would that be alright?” Aria asked gently.


    Aria thought she couldn’t offer Pearl much. Though Lily was with her, she’d barely taken care of her. If someone else wanted to look out for Pearl, that might actually be a good thing.


    Pearl thought for a moment, then gave a small nod. “I’ll do whatever you think is best, Aria.”


    “Let Lily show you to your room. And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to speak up,” Aria said.


    Pearl nodded. “Okay!”


    Aria gently patted Lily on the head and said, “Now that the exams are over, you deserve a break. Talk it over with Pearl and pick a ce. I’ll take you both


    out.”


    Aria said, “I’ll head over.”


    “Okay!” Lily replied.


    As Aria arrived, she heard the sound of chopping from the kitchen. Leaning casually against the doorway, she eyed Owen with a yful smile. “My girl,


    huh?” she teased.


    Owen heard the sound and knew it was Aria, but pretended not to notice. He hadn’t expected her to tease him the moment she walked in.


    He paused mid–chop, nced up at her with a sideways look. “You’re my girl, aren’t you? So, what’s the problem with that?”


    Aria tilted her head yfully. “Yeah, you’re right. Then, what should I call you?”


    He kept his head down and continued chopping, avoiding eye contact. “Call me whatever you like,” he said.


    Aria walked in and slipped her arms around Owen from behind. He tensed up momentarily before rxing into her embrace, ncing over his shoulder. “What’s up?” he asked gently.


    09:44 Tue, 24 Jun


    <b>“</b>Owen, thank you,” Aria said.


    Owen smiled softly. “What are you thanking me for?”


    Aria murmured, “If it weren’t for you, the girls would be stuck eating takeout from Amour Bistro with <i>me </i>every day.”


    Owen chuckled. “With Amour Bistro’s food being so famous, you should be grateful I’m not depriving them of it.”


    Aria let go of him and rolled up her sleeves to wash her hands. “I’ll help too–this way, we’ll finish faster.”


    Owen didn’t refuse. “Alright, you can wash those veggies first, then chop up the tomatoes,” he said.


    81<b>% </b>


    <b>4231 </b>


    Aria got right to work, peeling garlic and prepping scallions. Once Owen had the soup ready and started stir–frying, he grinned and shooed her out. “Go wait in the living room. I’ll be quick. It’s about to get smoky here,” he said.


    “It’s not that smoky,” Aria said with a yful tone. “Let me stay and help.”


    #