The silence between Eva and Andrew was heavy as they drove to the mall, the quiet punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine. Eva cast a quick glance in his direction, wondering if the cold distance between them would ever thaw. His expression was unreadable, his eyes fixed ahead. She knew better than to ask what was on his mind—Andrew was never one for idle conversation, especially with her.

When they finally arrived at the mall, Andrew broke the silence, his voice clipped and emotionless. “I’ll go in with you.”

Eva blinked in surprise, confused. “I thought I was here to meet Irene?”

Andrew didn’t respond. Instead, he stepped out of the car, his long strides carrying him ahead of her. When she didn’t immediately follow, he glanced back with a faint hint of impatience. “Are you coming or not?”

Annoyance flickered through Eva as she stepped out, walking briskly to catch up. “Stop looking at me that way!” she snapped, frustrated by his indifference.

“Go and shop,” was his only reply, his tone dismissive.

With a huff, Eva turned toward the row of shops, trying to focus on her own tasks. She flitted from store to store, occasionally glancing back to find Andrew silently following her like a shadow. His presence was unnerving. Why was he even here?

As if sensing her discomfort, Andrew stopped abruptly. “You keep going. I’ll meet with you shortly.”

Before she could respond, he pulled out his phone and turned away. “Where are you?” she heard him ask. A pause followed as Andrew listened, his shoulders tensing slightly. “Still at the college? Fine, I’ll wait.” He sighed and tucked his phone back into his pocket, his gaze distant as he strode off to make another call.

Eva let out a relieved breath once he disappeared. For the first time all day, she felt like she could shop in peace. She wandered through the aisles of a boutique, admiring a pair of earrings when, out of nowhere, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind.

“Eva!” a familiar voice laughed softly near her ear, sending her heart racing.

Startled, she flinched, spinning around just in time to see her friend Lucas grinning down at her. “Lucas!” she exclaimed, her heart still pounding from the sudden hug.

Before she could react further, she noticed Andrew standing across the store, his face darkening with something that looked suspiciously like anger. His jaw was clenched, his eyes fixed on Lucas with a cold, dangerous intensity.

“How are you?” Lucas asked, oblivious to the tension.

Eva forced a smile, trying to shake off her unease. “I’m fine. It’s been a while.”

Lucas opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, Andrew sauntered over, his voice sharp and commanding. “Who is he?”

Eva quickly broke the hug, her pulse quickening as she felt the weight of Andrew’s presence behind her. “This is Lucas, my best friend,” she explained, hoping to diffuse whatever storm was brewing in Andrew’s eyes.

Lucas blinked, clearly taken aback by Andrew’s cold tone. “And who are you?” he asked, looking from Eva to the stranger standing possessively close.

Andrew’s response was swift and unexpected. “Her husband.”

The word hung in the air like a bomb. Lucas stared at Eva, his shock evident. “Husband?” he echoed, disbelief coloring his voice. “When did that happen?”

Eva could feel the heat rise to her cheeks, the awkwardness of the moment washing over her. She hadn’t exactly broadcasted her marriage to anyone, especially not Lucas. Before she could answer, Andrew cut in again, his voice devoid of warmth. “It was sudden.”

Lucas’s disappointment was palpable, the smile fading from his face. “I see,” he muttered. “I... I’ll be in touch, Eva.” He made a quick excuse about needing to leave, but not before pulling her into one last hug, his arms lingering just a little too long.

Andrew stood there, his posture rigid, his gaze icy as he watched Lucas walk away. He couldn’t deny the strange knot in his chest, something dangerously close to jealousy. But he shoved the feeling down, refusing to acknowledge it. Jealous? Of Lucas? Impossible.

“Let’s go,” Andrew said briskly, snapping Eva out of her thoughts. He led her out of the store and toward a nearby café without another word.

Once seated, the tension between them still hung thick in the air. As they waited for their drinks, Andrew leaned forward, his voice low. “How do you know him?”

Eva sipped her coffee as it arrived, shrugging like it wasn’t a big deal. “He’s just a friend.”

Andrew’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure he’s just a friend?”

She glanced up at him, confused. “Yeah, why?”

Before Andrew could press further, a voice interrupted them. “Eva!”

Both of them turned to see a young girl sprinting toward the table, tears streaming down her face. It was Mia, Eva’s younger sister. Eva’s heart melted at the sight of her.

“Mia, what’s wrong?” Eva asked as her sister threw herself into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

“I just missed you so much!” Mia cried, though there was a smile breaking through her tears.

Eva laughed softly, wiping the tears off Mia’s cheeks. “I’m fine, silly girl. You don’t need to cry every time we meet.”

Irene, Andrew’s sister, appeared behind Mia, watching with a knowing smile. “Did you forget about me?” she teased, though her eyes were warm.

Evander, their cousin, wasn’t far behind, wrapping Irene in a playful hug. “No one could ever forget you,” he said, grinning as she shoved him off.

“Stop it, Evander,” Irene groaned, though there was a laugh in her voice.

Andrew, however, wasn’t in the mood for their antics. His cold voice sliced through the playful moment. “Enough drama.”

Irene shot him a glare, her smile fading into irritation. Emotionless fool, she thought, gritting her teeth.

Eva, on the other hand, couldn’t help but notice the contrast between Andrew and his family. While Irene and Evander were so full of life, Andrew remained a mystery, closed off from the warmth they all shared. As she sipped her coffee, she stole a glance at her husband and wondered, not for the first time, if she would ever break through that icy exterior.