---- Chapter 16 Their kiss was interrupted by a polite cough from the doorway. They sprang apart, both blushing like teenagers. A tall, elegant woman stood there, an amused smile on her face. She looked remarkably like Liam. "Am | interrupting something?" she asked, her voice dry. Liam's face turned a shade redder. "Lia! What are you doing here?" "I'm your emergency contact, remember?" she said, walking into the room. "You take a woman to the hospital and don't even call your big sister? For shame." She turned her warm, intelligent eyes on Ava. "You must be Ava. I've heard... well, I've heard a lot about you." Ava suddenly felt her own cheeks flush. Liam's sister. She hadn't even known he had one. She suddenly felt very underdressed in her simple jeans and t-shirt. "It's nice to meet you," she managed to say. Lia smiled, and it was the same genuine, kind smile as her brother's. "It's a relief to finally meet you. | was beginning to think you were a figment of my brother's imagination." She reached out and gave Ava's hand a gentle squeeze. "l hope you're feeling better." ---- "l am, thank you," Ava said, already feeling at ease. "Good," Lia said. "Because we're kidnapping you. | made reservations at The Grove for lunch to celebrate. My treat." Ava looked at Liam, a question in her eyes. He just shrugged with ahelpless smile. "You don't say no to my sister. Trust me." Lunch was a relaxed, happy affair. Lia was funny and smart, and she treated Ava not like her brother's new girlfriend, but like an old friend. She asked insightful questions about Ava's game, showing a genuine interest that was both flattering and comforting. Ava found herself talking and laughing more than she had in years. She felt... accepted. "So," Lia said, leaning forward conspiratorially after they had ordered dessert. "How did you two finally get together? My brother has been pining after you for ages. It was getting pathetic." "Lia!" Liam protested, his ears turning red. Lia just waved a dismissive hand at him. "Oh, hush. It's true." She turned back to Ava. "Seriously, he was insufferable. 'Ava did this, Ava said that.' It's a miracle he got any work done." "He's exaggerating," Liam mumbled into his water glass. "Am |?" Lia shot back, raising an eyebrow. She reached over and lightly rapped him on the head. "You owe me big time for all the hours | spent listening to you moon over her." ---- Ava just watched the exchange with a smile, a warmth spreading through her. This was what a family felt like. Playful, supportive, full of love. As they were leaving the restaurant, Lia pulled Ava aside for a moment. "Listen," she said, her voice turning serious. "My brother... he's a good man. But he's been alone for a long time. He can be a little... intense. He's waited a long time for you." She gave Ava's arm a gentle squeeze. "Be good to him. He deserves to be happy." Lia gave her a quick hug and exchanged numbers with her before getting into her own car. "It was so wonderful to finally meet the woman who made my brother believe in 'happily ever after' again," she said with a final wink before driving off. The words "waited a long time for you" and "happily ever after" echoed in Ava's mind. As she got into Liam's car, she looked at him, a new question forming in her mind. Just how long had he been waiting? And what did his sister mean by that? There was a story there, a part of Liam's life she knew nothing about, and she was suddenly eager to learn it all. Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.