The evening air was cool as Eva and Mia stood together on the balcony, their quiet conversation wrapped in the gentle hum of crickets. The mansion behind them felt like a world away, and for a brief moment, Eva allowed herself to forget the weight of her marriage to Andrew. She leaned against the railing, looking out at the darkened sky, lost in her thoughts.

“Are you really okay, Eva?” Mia’s soft voice broke through the silence, her eyes filled with concern as she studied her sister’s face.

Eva turned to her younger sister and smiled gently, though the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m fine, Mia. Really.”

Mia wasn’t convinced. “You don’t have to pretend with me. I know this marriage wasn’t something you wanted... Are you happy?”

Eva let out a sigh, the weight of her situation pressing down on her shoulders. “It’s going to take time,” she admitted, her voice quiet but honest. “Andrew and I... well, we’re still adjusting. I’m trying to win him over, but it’s not easy.”

Mia’s face softened, a small wave of relief washing over her. “I’m just glad to hear that you’re okay, sis. I was so worried.”

Eva smiled again, this time more genuinely. She reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind Mia’s ear, feeling the familiar warmth of sisterly love settle in her chest. “I’ll be fine, Mia. I promise.”

“Oh!” Mia suddenly remembered something, reaching into her bag and pulling out a small, elegant box. “Papa asked me to give you this. It only belongs to you and Tristan.”

Eva looked down at the box with curiosity as Mia placed it into her hands. The weight of it felt significant, and she wondered what secrets it held. Before she could ask more, Mia hugged her tightly, as though she didn’t want to let go.

“Don’t forget to keep in touch,” Mia whispered, her voice tinged with emotion as she pulled away.

“I won’t. I promise,” Eva replied, squeezing her sister’s hand before watching her walk down the stairs and disappear into the mansion.

Inside, Evander was chatting with Vanessa, his usual carefree demeanor masking the slight tension in his posture. But when he caught sight of Mia descending the stairs, his attention shifted completely. He quickly excused himself from Vanessa’s company, his eyes following Mia as she moved toward the door.

Vanessa raised an eyebrow, noticing the shift in his gaze. “Take Mia home, Evander,” she ordered lightly, though her tone left little room for argument.

Mia quickly shook her head, offering a polite but firm smile. “No, thank you. I don’t want to be any trouble. I’ll just take a taxi home.”

Before she could insist further, Andrew’s voice cut through the conversation. “It’s too late for a taxi. Let Evander drive you.”

Mia glanced at Andrew, his cold but decisive tone leaving no room for debate. She finally agreed, nodding her thanks before hugging Eva one last time. As they left, Andrew’s eyes lingered on the small box in Eva’s hands, curiosity flickering behind his usual stoic expression. But, as was typical for him, he said nothing, letting his questions remain unspoken.

Once alone, Eva returned to her room and set the mysterious box on the table. She stared at it for a moment, her mind racing with possibilities, but exhaustion won over her curiosity. She decided to freshen up and get ready for bed. As she padded down the stairs to get a glass of water, her foot slipped on the last step, and she tumbled forward. A sharp scream echoed through the mansion, and pain shot through her body.

Within moments, Vanessa came rushing towards her, her eyes wide with concern. “Eva! What happened?”

Eva was crying, the pain too intense to hide. “I fell,” she managed to gasp, clutching her leg.

Andrew appeared next, his usual composure breaking as he hurried toward her. “What happened?” His voice was tight, and though his face remained cold, there was a flicker of worry in his eyes.

“She fell,” Vanessa explained quickly. “Pick her up, Andrew.”

Without hesitation, Andrew scooped Eva into his arms, but as he lifted her, she winced, her tears spilling over. “Please, don’t touch my leg. It hurts so much,” she pleaded, her voice shaky.

Andrew’s response was as blunt as ever. “Who told you to fall?” he muttered, though there was a hidden care beneath his usual coldness.

Ignoring his comment, Vanessa directed him to place Eva on the couch, where she began to examine the injury. Just then, Leonard, Eva’s father, entered the room, his expression turning to one of alarm as he saw his daughter in tears. “Eva, my daughter, what happened?”

Andrew, still holding Eva, quickly explained. “She fell.”

Leonard’s gaze hardened as he looked at Andrew, somehow finding fault in his son. “This is your fault.”

Andrew blinked, confused and slightly defensive. “What did I do?”

Vanessa interrupted the growing tension, inspecting Eva’s leg with a calm but serious expression. “Her leg is sprained,” she said, looking up at the others. “But Eva, you said your back hurts too?”

Eva nodded, grimacing as she shifted on the couch. “Yes, my lower back... it’s painful.”

Vanessa sighed. “You’ll need rest and some pain medicine. Andrew, carry her to her room.”

Andrew gritted his teeth, clearly frustrated with the situation, but did as his mother instructed. “Fine,” he muttered, lifting Eva into his arms once more.

As he carried her, Leonard followed them, his stern voice trailing behind. “She is your wife, Andrew. You need to take care of her. She’s your responsibility.”

Andrew’s patience snapped, his voice taut with anger. “Dad, enough! I’m taking her now.”

Eva, still in his arms, looked up at him through tear-filled eyes. “Please, be gentle,” she whispered, the pain evident in her voice.

Andrew glanced down at her, unsure if she was truly in as much pain as she appeared or if she was exaggerating. Once they arrived in the room, he carefully settled her onto the bed. The maid soon brought up an ice pack and the medicine. As Andrew reached for the ice pack, Eva quickly protested. “I can do it myself.”

Andrew shot her a cold glare. “Quit talking,” he said sharply as he pressed the ice pack against her ankle.

A sharp cry of pain escaped Eva’s lips as he pressed down too hard. She glared at him through her tears. “I’m not faking it! I’m really hurt, you jerk!”

Andrew’s expression softened, if only for a second, as he realized he’d caused her pain. “I’m sorry,” he muttered, easing the pressure. He wasn’t used to handling her like this, and it showed.

Eva, still fuming, tried to turn away, but as she shifted, her back flared with pain again. “You idiot, my back! You’re making it worse,” she cried out.

Before Andrew could respond, Vanessa entered the room. “What’s going on now?” she asked, her voice stern as she saw Eva’s discomfort.

“Her back is still hurting,” Andrew admitted reluctantly.

Vanessa didn’t hesitate. “Then give her a massage,” she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument.

“Mom, no!” Andrew protested, clearly horrified at the idea.

Vanessa crossed her arms and shot him a glare. “Yes. Now.”

Andrew sighed in defeat, his usual cool facade cracking. Eva watched the exchange in silence, unsure whether to laugh or cry. As Andrew sat beside her, his hands hesitant on her back, she couldn’t help but wonder when, if ever, they’d figure out this strange dance they were stuck in.