Inside the mansion, the tension was thick, palpable, like a storm waiting to break. Eva felt the weight of every glance, every unspoken word. The grand hall, usually opulent and majestic, felt like a cage closing in on her.

Irene rushed to her side, her presence a brief comfort. Eva felt her trembling hands reach for Irene’s, and she squeezed them, drawing a small measure of strength from her younger sister-in-law. But even Irene’s reassuring touch couldn’t ease the turmoil boiling around them.

Leonard stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Andrew. "Son, forget everything and accept Eva," he said firmly. "Give this marriage a chance. She’s not to blame for what happened with Jessica."

Andrew’s jaw clenched tightly, but before he could respond, Vanessa interjected, her voice sharp. "Leo, do you even know what you're saying?"

Vanessa’s eyes were filled with indignation as she looked at her husband. To her, the idea of forcing Andrew into a marriage he didn’t want was incomprehensible. "You expect my son to just move on? To pretend like this didn’t happen? Andrew deserves more than this!"

Leonard sighed, his frustration evident. "Vanessa, this isn’t just about Andrew. It’s about two lives here. Eva didn’t ask for this either. The least we can do is let them give it a chance before we start judging."

Andrew, his face like stone, broke his silence with cold finality. "Enough, Dad. I’ll never give this marriage a chance."

His words hung in the air, sharp and cutting. Eva’s heart sank, the ache deep and familiar. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to hold back the sobs threatening to break free.

"Please," Eva’s voice trembled, her tears falling freely now. "Don’t fight because of me. I’ll leave if it makes things easier."

Her voice cracked as she tried to pull herself together, but it only seemed to anger Andrew more. He glared at her, his expression cold and unyielding, while Vanessa turned her sharp gaze toward Eva.

"You don’t speak," Vanessa snapped, her voice dripping with disdain. "I tolerated you because of Jessica, but now she’s run off and shamed us all. You are nothing to this family."

Eva’s vision blurred as the room spun around her. She could feel her strength slipping away, her body growing weaker by the second. Irene, noticing the change in her sister-in-law’s complexion, quickly moved closer.

"Eva, what’s wrong?" Irene asked, concern etched across her face.

Vanessa, unsympathetic, scoffed. "She’s putting on an act," she muttered under her breath, but Leonard’s face turned serious as he realized something was truly wrong.

"Irene, call the doctor," Leonard ordered, his voice laced with urgency.

Before anyone could react, Eva’s legs gave out beneath her. Irene and Leonard rushed forward as Eva collapsed, her body limp and unresponsive. Leonard, without hesitation, picked her up and gently laid her down on the nearby couch.

Vanessa’s face paled, though she still held her stubborn expression. "Do I look like a villain to you, Leo?" she asked, her voice defensive.

Leonard shot her a stern look. "Vanessa, don’t you realize she just came home from the hospital? She was unconscious for two months, for God’s sake. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on her. She’s been through enough."

Vanessa’s hardened demeanor softened slightly, though she didn’t apologize. "I’m just concerned about Andrew,"she muttered.

Leonard sighed, rubbing a hand over his face in exasperation. "I know you are, but this isn’t just about him. Eva was forced into this marriage because of our decision. We owe it to her to be kind, at the very least."

Andrew, who had been standing quietly, watching the scene unfold, finally spoke. "Dad, stop fighting with Mom on my behalf. This is between me and Eva."

Leonard’s gaze flickered toward his son, his expression unreadable. "You better take care of her, Andrew," he said sternly. "Like it or not, she’s your responsibility now."

Just then, the doctor arrived, hurriedly making his way to where Eva lay. He checked her pulse and vitals, his brow furrowing in concern. "She’s under a lot of stress," the doctor explained after a few moments. "Her body is still weak from being in a coma for so long. You need to avoid putting too much pressure on her, or she could relapse."

Andrew's eyes narrowed, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. He wanted to be anywhere but here, away from the constant reminders of the mess his life had become. Yet now, Eva was another problem he couldn’t escape.

The doctor handed Irene some medication and stood up. "This should help her, but rest is the most important thing right now. Make sure she gets plenty of it."

Leonard thanked the doctor, and the room grew quiet once more. Irene stayed by Eva’s side, her eyes filled with worry.

Vanessa, looking conflicted, finally spoke up. "Fine," she muttered, her voice softer than before. "I won’t make this harder than it already is. But Andrew…"

Andrew barely acknowledged his mother’s words, still staring at Eva as she lay on the couch, her face pale and her breathing shallow. Something stirred inside him, but he quickly pushed it down, reminding himself not to care.

"I’ll take her to her room," Andrew said flatly, stepping forward.

Irene stood up, giving him a wary glance, but said nothing. She knew better than to argue with Andrew when he was like this.

Andrew gently lifted Eva into his arms. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake, her head resting against his chest. As he carried her through the grand halls of the mansion toward her room, the weight of everything began to settle in.

He glanced down at her, the bruises on her cheek from where she had been slapped by Camilla still visible. He scolded himself for feeling even a sliver of sympathy. "She’s just another person to betray me," he thought bitterly. "Like Jessica."

When they finally reached her room, Andrew laid her down on the bed, pulling the blanket over her. For a moment, he stood there, staring at her fragile form, torn between his anger and something else he couldn’t quite place.

With a shake of his head, he turned and left the room without a word, closing the door softly behind him.

Eva lay there, her body weak and exhausted, but her mind raced. "This is my life now," she thought, tears slipping from her closed eyes. "But how do I survive this?"

The King mansion was as cold as the hearts inside it, and for the first time, Eva realized just how alone she truly was.