CHAPTER 359: HANDSOME BROTHER SUPREME

Flora had sorted her thoughts completely by the time she saw Micah again after a week. Seven days were long enough for her emotions to cool down. She had repeated the same conclusion over and over to herself until it became a vow: she would not interfere. Not with the matter of the switch at birth. Not with the relationship between Micah and Darcy. Not with anything at all. Better to fade into the background like a wallflower, silent, unnoticed, and simply be a bystander.

She, with her chronic sickness, had no right to meddle. Darcy had already been crushed under her burden. And she, foolish and selfish, had wanted to reconnect with her biological son. That desire was the epitome of ingratitude.

Her lips curved bitterly at the thought. Perhaps it wasn’t such a terrible fate that her two sons ended up being together. They could find strength in each other. Who was she to protest?

So when Micah appeared beside Darcy, Flora smiled widely. She greeted him warmly and followed them to the car.

Inside the car, Micah forced himself to put his grandfather’s matter aside. He convinced himself that his abrupt appearance in the hospital had only been because of his friend, Mr Hakimi, and not because of Darcy. Even if Albert Ramsy found out about it, Zhou Ruyan could handle him for now.

Micah’s eyes flickered to the rearview mirror, glancing at Flora. To his relief, she seemed far more energetic and lively than when he last saw her. There was colour in her cheeks, no trace of paleness.

Nora, like an excited child, leaned forward between the front seats, gripping the headrest. "So, handsome brother, where are we headed?"

"Nora," Darcy warned from the passenger seat.

"What? I’m just asking."

Micah’s lips tugged into a faint smile as he answered, "It’s a famous restaurant specialised in healthy food. The owner is a friend of mine."

Nora visibly withered. "Healthy food?" she groaned. "Can’t we go somewhere exciting instead?"

Micah chuckled. "You know, there is a six-month waiting list to get a reservation there."

Nora gasped. "That long? What do they serve? Mermaid or something?"

Micah barked a laugh. "No mermaids, but the taste really is heavenly. Wait until you try it."

"That good?" Nora asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

"You don’t believe me?" Micah’s gaze flicked to Darcy. "Ask your big brother, he has eaten it before."

"Brother!" Nora smacked Darcy’s arm with a playful slap. "You! Eating all the good stuff by yourself? Didn’t you ever think about your poor little sister?"

"Were you starving while I was away?" Darcy raised an eyebrow.

"Ha!" Nora snorted. "Who are you and what did you do with my worrywart brother? Since when are you so cold?" she leaned close to Micah. "Don’t you want an adorable little sister?"

Micah’s expression softened, but he didn’t answer Nora; he just smiled.

Darcy reached back and nudged Nora firmly in the forehead with his fingers. "Sit properly. Don’t distract him while he is driving."

"Fine, fine." Nora tsked and leaned back, muttering to herself. "Stupid brother."

Flora hadn’t said a word through all this. She simply watched as her daughter bonded with her biological son. The sight sent a swell of heat rushing to her eyes. She turned her face toward the window quickly, unwilling to let them see the tears threatening to gather.

Micah noticed the faint change in her expression. "Aunty, are you alright? Do you feel carsick?"

Nora and Darcy turned their heads toward Flora. "Mum?"

Flora shook her head quickly, offering them a wavering smile. "No. I’m fine. I only got sentimental. It’s been such a long time since we’ve all gone out together."

Nora nodded. "Yeah, it really has."

Micah’s smile faltered. "Aunty, if you ever want to go anywhere, just call me. I’m free most of the time. There is no need to hold back," he paused and looked at Flora through the mirror. "Don’t be polite with me. Just think of me as your son."

Flora’s heart skipped a beat. The kindness in his tone was almost too much to bear. She pressed her palms together to steady herself. "Alright, I’ll hold you to that."

Nora, not to be ignored, craned her neck forward again. "What about me? Can’t I call you too? Brother is always busy with work," she complained, pouting. "He never has time for me."

"Don’t be harsh on your brother. You know he works tirelessly to support us." Flora reprimanded her daughter.

"Mum. You always take his side." Nora huffed. "Am I wrong, though? My friends are always going out somewhere on weekends, and we never do. We’re no worse off than they are, right?"

Micah glanced at Darcy, checking his expression. He seemed relaxed, not angry at Nora’s words. Ah, he really was patient to the core.

"Nora," Flora said again, her tone firmer this time.

Nora shut her mouth and began sulking in silence.

At last, they arrived at the Royal Dragon Pavilion. The restaurant’s exterior gleamed in the afternoon sun, elegant and refined with polished wood and carved dragons curling around the doors.

Micah eased the car into a parking space, turned off the engine, and stepped out.

Darcy immediately rounded to the backseat, opening the door for Flora. He offered his arm and helped Flora to step out of the car.

Micah lingered on the other side of the car, walking beside Nora. She still carried a faint pout on her face, her lips pressed into a thin line. Micah bent slightly, lowering his voice so only she could hear.

"Little sister, cheer up. Your brother likes you more than you think. He’s even been working overtime lately, just to get you something."

Nora’s eyes landed on him, doubtful. "Hah. As if."

"I saw it with my own eyes. He has been searching for a ticket to Mani’s fan meeting," he whispered.

Nora’s eyes bulged. "No way! You mean the one on his birthday? I heard it’s super expensive," she whispered back.

"Mm," Micah nodded. "I think he wants to surprise you."

Nora’s entire face brightened. The sulky gloom vanished in an instant, replaced by a radiant smile that stretched ear to ear. She bounced on her heels and hurried toward her mother and brother, clinging to her brother’s arm.

Micah shoved his hands into his pockets, watching them with a little smug smirk. The truth, of course, was that he had purchased that ticket himself for Nora. Darcy had never even touched it. But why say so?

There was no need to wedge himself between siblings. Micah could see the admiration and fondness in Nora’s eyes toward him. It was easy to guess why. To her, he was a young man who had suddenly shown up, saved her, showered her in gifts, and driven a luxury car. He was definitely looking cool.

Yet, Micah didn’t want to dampen the siblings’ bonding just because he had money. The funny part was, this wealth wasn’t his. No, it would have been Darcy’s if they hadn’t been switched at birth.