The sound of water rushing over his head did little to calm Andrew’s mind. He sat on the shower floor, elbows resting on his knees, as his thoughts spiraled back to the conversation with Eva earlier. She had made a bold proposition—three months. If he could stand her for three months, she would walk away from his life, never to return. But until then, they would have to live as husband and wife, fulfill their duties, and behave like a married couple.

Andrew scoffed to himself, letting the water run down his face. "Fulfill our duties?" he muttered under his breath. The words rang in his head, echoing Eva's determined voice.

She had even wrapped her arms around his neck, smiled sweetly, and whispered confidently, "Baby, you'll fall for me."

That moment had startled him. Not because of her words but because of her unexpected boldness. Eva had always been soft-spoken and timid, but today, she had shown a side of herself that was audacious, almost daring. It was unnerving.

He slammed his fist against the tile wall, frustrated at the strange effect she had on him. Her smile, the way she had blown him a kiss before leaving—it unsettled him, and yet, it stirred something inside of him that he couldn’t quite understand.

"What is she playing at?" he wondered. His thoughts lingered on her—her gentle demeanor that had suddenly turned bold, the challenge in her eyes when she spoke about the three months, and the way she had walked out of his room, leaving him feeling more confused than ever.

But the part that bothered him the most was the feeling that he had lost control. Eva had taken the upper hand in their dynamic, and that irritated him more than he wanted to admit.

After drying off and dressing, Andrew left his room, his mind still buzzing with the events of the day. He needed to clear his head, to figure out what his next move was. "It’s a game, right?" he reminded himself. And he never lost. This would be no different.

Meanwhile, Eva had retreated to the far side of the mansion, where she could take a breath. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her legs felt weak. She was terrified—terrified of Andrew and terrified of the game she had just set into motion. She had never spoken to him so boldly before, and the fear of how he might react had been suffocating.

"What was I thinking?" Eva thought as she clutched her chest. She had barely managed to hold her nerve in front of him. She wasn't sure how long she could keep up this act of confidence, but if she wanted to survive the next three months, she had to at least try.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft chuckle. Eva jumped, spinning around to see Leonard standing in the doorway.

"Dad!" she gasped, her heart racing again, this time from embarrassment. "How long have you been standing there?"

Leonard smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Long enough," he said, stepping closer. "I heard everything—from your little agreement about the game to your fear of my son."

Eva blushed, feeling exposed. "I don't know if I can win," she admitted, her voice shaky. "Andrew is scarier than I thought."

Leonard laughed heartily, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don’t underestimate yourself, Eva. Andrew can be difficult, but I know my son. You’ve already managed to surprise him, and that’s more than most people can do."

Eva blinked in surprise. "Do you really think I can win him over?" she asked, her voice soft and uncertain.

"Absolutely," Leonard said confidently. "And you won’t have to do it alone. I’ll help you. Andrew needs to see what’s right in front of him, and with a little push, he’ll realize that you’re exactly what he needs."

Eva smiled, feeling a surge of hope. It was comforting to know that she wasn’t alone in this. Leonard’s support meant everything to her. "Thank you, Dad," she said gratefully.

"We’re in this together," Leonard replied. "And with Irene on your side as well, I think you’ve got a good shot."

Feeling more reassured, Eva nodded. For the first time in days, she felt like she had a chance—however slim it might be. If Leonard believed in her, then maybe, just maybe, she could win this game after all.

As she headed back to her room, Eva couldn’t help but reflect on her bold move earlier. She wasn’t naturally confident, and pretending to be strong in front of Andrew had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. But it was necessary if she was going to break through his walls. She needed him to see her, not as Jessica’s replacement or some pawn in his father’s plans, but as Eva, the woman who could be his equal if only he gave her a chance.

Back in his own room, Andrew paced restlessly. The events of the day wouldn’t leave his mind, and for the first time in a long time, he felt... uncertain.

"This is just a game," he reminded himself. "I’ll win, and she’ll be out of my life in no time."

But deep down, a tiny voice whispered a different truth—one he wasn’t ready to acknowledge yet.

And so, the game continued. Three months of pretending, three months of lies, three months of two broken hearts trying to figure out where they stood. Would Andrew really fall for Eva? Or would he send her away, just as he had promised?

Only time would tell.

The game of hearts had begun.