The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft streaks of gold across the room. Eva stirred, memories from the previous night flooding back in bits and pieces. She remembered the warmth of strong arms wrapped tightly around her, the steady rhythm of a heartbeat beneath her ear, and the comforting weight of Andrew’s presence beside her.

Her eyes fluttered open, landing on the man lying peacefully next to her. Andrew’s face was serene in sleep, free from the usual coldness that accompanied his waking hours. He really is handsome… too bad he has a heart as black as night, she thought to herself.

As the events of the previous night fully resurfaced, she exhaled. “I shouldn’t blame him,” she whispered, brushing a hand over her flushed cheeks. “He was so drunk last night.”

She bit her lip, a swirl of confusion settling in her chest, “I made the challenge… but can I even do this? I don’t think he truly loves me. And when the three months are over... I’ll have to leave.”

A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him. She tiptoed toward the door, her thoughts jumbled. Just as the door clicked shut behind her, Andrew’s eyes flicked open. A mischievous smile curved his lips.

“Don’t think of leaving me yet, Eva,” he murmured darkly to himself. “I fucking love your presence.”

Andrew swung his legs off the bed and made his way to the bathroom, cold purpose flickering in his eyes. Holding Eva in his arms all night had been both heaven and torture, and now his pent-up frustration demanded release. Turning on the shower, he stepped under the cold stream, hoping it would quell the fire burning inside him.

Meanwhile, Eva had already washed up and was bustling around the kitchen. The aroma of fresh coffee filled the air, and she hummed softly as she prepared breakfast. Tristan sat on the couch in the living room, the newspaper spread across his lap, occasionally glancing up to watch his sister move around the kitchen.

Just as Eva placed three steaming mugs of coffee on a tray, Andrew descended the stairs, dressed casually in a fitted black shirt and grey sweatpants. His sharp gaze swept over the room, and he frowned slightly.

“It’s past nine. Why is no one else here?” Andrew asked, scanning the room.

Tristan scoffed, setting his newspaper down with a slight smirk. “Are we invisible? Can’t you see Eva and me sitting right here?”

Andrew shot Tristan a withering look, but before the tension could escalate, Eva interjected. “They’re still asleep,” she explained. “Everyone was hungover.”

Andrew grunted in response, taking the coffee she handed him and sinking into the armchair across from Tristan. They sat in silence for a while, sipping their coffee as the morning stretched on lazily. An hour passed, and still, no one else came downstairs.

“I’ll go wake them,” Eva announced, setting her empty cup down and rushing toward the stairs.

“Coco, don’t run, you’ll fall!” Tristan called after her, a playful hint in his voice.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine!” she shouted back, already halfway up the stairs.

As soon as Eva was out of sight, the atmosphere between Andrew and Tristan thickened. They sat quietly, watching each other like two lions circling the same prey.

Finally, Tristan broke the silence. “I know you both married under… complicated circumstances,” he began, folding his arms. “I don’t think you’re unhappy… but I also don’t see either of you trying to make this marriage work.”

Andrew remained silent, his expression unreadable, but his mind raced, trying to decipher where Tristan was going with this conversation.

Tristan leaned forward slightly, his gaze unwavering. “I think it’s best if you divorce my sister.”

The air in the room seemed to shift, charged with sudden tension. Andrew’s jaw clenched as anger simmered beneath the surface. Divorce? Does he think I’d ever let her go?

Before Andrew could respond, Eva came bounding down the stairs, a bright smile on her face. “What’s with the awkward silence?” she asked, looking between the two men curiously.

Tristan stood, setting his coffee aside. “What’s it going to be, Andrew?” he asked coolly, his tone laced with challenge.

Andrew cursed silently, glaring at Tristan with a fury he kept barely contained. This idiot… Does he think I’d ever let her go? Eva is mine—forever and always.

Eva glanced between her brother and husband, her brow furrowing in confusion. She could sense the unspoken tension between them but had no idea what was going on.

Tristan smirked knowingly, enjoying how much he was getting under Andrew’s skin. “Stop overthinking, Andrew. Just answer.”

Andrew’s patience snapped. He shot to his feet, grabbing Eva’s hand and dragging her away from the living room.

“Andrew!” Eva gasped, stumbling slightly as she tried to keep up with his brisk pace. “What’s going on?”

Andrew didn’t answer. He led her to the dining table and pulled out a chair for her. “Sit,” he commanded, his voice low and tense.

Eva stared at him, bewildered. “Andrew… What just happened?” she asked softly, but he avoided her gaze, his jaw tight with suppressed anger.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Tristan leaned back in his seat, shaking his head. If Andrew loves my sister so much, why does he act like such a coward?

When everyone else finally made it to the table for breakfast, Irene was still groggy, her head resting on Mia’s shoulder. “I want to go back to sleep,” Irene mumbled with a yawn. “I’ll eat later.”

Tristan shot her a teasing look. “That’ll be lunch, not breakfast.”

Irene rolled her eyes dramatically, but Eva smiled at the playful banter. “At least drink some milk,” she insisted, setting a glass in front of her friend.

As the meal went on, Andrew sat silently, his gaze flickering toward Tristan every so often. Tristan noticed and raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. “Well?” he asked quietly, challenging Andrew again.

Evander, sensing the strange tension between the two, leaned over to Eva. “What’s going on between them?” he whispered.

Eva shook her head, just as puzzled. “I have no idea.”

Evander watched Andrew and Tristan warily, muttering to himself, “Something fishy is definitely going on.”

In an attempt to break the awkwardness, Evander clapped his hands together. “Alright, everyone, let’s eat. I’m starving.”

As if on cue, Eva’s phone buzzed with an incoming video call from their father. She held up the phone, showing Leonard the group gathered around the table.

“Is Andrew giving you a hard time?” Leonard asked teasingly, his face filling the screen.

Eva smiled warmly. “No, Dad. Everything’s fine.”

Irene grabbed the phone and pouted dramatically. “Dad, don’t you miss me? Where’s Mom?”

Leonard chuckled. “She’s still asleep.”

Irene smirked. “She must’ve had a long night.”

Vanessa’s voice suddenly rang out in the background. “Shameless girl,” she scolded lightly, though her tone was affectionate.

Andrew took the phone, but before he could say anything, Vanessa caught sight of Tristan in the frame. “Who’s that handsome young man?” she asked with interest.

Leonard, noticing Andrew’s glare, laughed. “That’s Eva’s brother, Tristan.”

“Good looks must run in the family,” Vanessa gushed.

Tristan gave her a polite smile. “Thank you.”

Meanwhile, Andrew’s mind raced with annoyance. How hard would it be to kill him?

By the time dinner rolled around, the house began to empty as people slowly trickled off, leaving just Andrew and Eva behind—or so Andrew thought.

As the night settled in, Andrew leaned back in his chair, lost in thought. The lingering tension with Tristan, the games, the subtle challenges—all of it boiled under the surface. But one thing was clear:

Eva would never leave him. Not now. Not ever. And Andrew would make sure of it.