Eva lay curled up on her bed, her face buried in the pillow as tears streamed down her cheeks. “If he hates me so much, why am I even here?” she whispered bitterly to herself. “I should’ve never married him.” She cried harder, her sobs muffled by the soft fabric. “He’ll never change... never.”

Just as she thought her heart couldn’t break any further, she heard a knock at the door.

"I'm not hungry!" Eva shouted through her tears, assuming it was the maid.

From the other side, Andrew’s stern voice replied, "Eva, open the door."

“Just go away,” she sobbed.

Andrew’s patience was wearing thin. “You need to eat,” he insisted, his tone now more urgent.

Eva's heart clenched. "Why do you even care?" she cried. "You should be happy if I starve and die!"

Andrew stood outside, fuming. How could she think that? He pulled out a key, his jaw set. “Eva, if you don’t open this door, I’m coming in,” he warned.

When silence greeted him, Andrew’s frustration bubbled over. He unlocked the door and strode inside.

Eva lay on the bed, her face blotchy from crying. She turned away, her voice filled with anger. “Why are you here? Just leave me alone.”

Andrew set a tray of food on the bedside table and sat on the bed beside her. “Eva...” he began softly, his hand gently patting her back. “Please calm down and eat something.”

She recoiled from his touch as if it burned. “Don’t touch me!” she cried, sitting up abruptly, her red-rimmed eyes glaring at him.

Andrew bit back the sharp retort threatening to escape. “Just eat,” he said, his voice now stern. “I’ll leave after you finish.”

Eva sniffled, her lips trembling as she stared at him. “Fine.” She dragged herself off the bed and sat at the small table, angrily stabbing her fork into the food.

Andrew watched her for a few moments, his gaze softening.

“Well? Are you not leaving?” she snapped, looking up from her plate.

“What?” Andrew feigned innocence, his lips curving into a slight smirk.

"You said you'd leave after I ate," she reminded him sharply.

Andrew gave her one last lingering glance before leaning down and placing a kiss on her forehead.

“Don’t cry,” he whispered with an unexpected smile, then stood and left the room without another word.

Eva sat frozen, stunned by the tenderness in his gesture. First, he hurts me, then consoles me... What am I to him? A doll to toss around as he pleases?

The next morning, Eva resolved to act as if Andrew didn’t exist. He needs a taste of his own medicine, she thought as she sat down for breakfast, keeping her eyes glued to her plate.

Andrew sat across from her, observing her cold demeanor with amusement.

“We’re not going to the company today,” Andrew announced, breaking the tense silence.

Eva glanced at him briefly but kept her expression indifferent. “Why not?”

“We’re resting today. Taking a break,” he replied, his tone casual.

“I don’t need rest. I have work to do,” she said curtly.

Andrew leaned back in his chair, unbothered by her attitude. “Just stay home.”

Eva knew there was no point arguing with him. “Fine,” she muttered, standing up from the table. She disappeared into her room, her mind buzzing with frustration.

Andrew sighed as she left. Women are scary when they’re mad. He ran a hand through his hair and retreated to his study, wondering how to make things right with her.

Meanwhile, Vanessa called the maid to check in on Eva and Andrew.

“Mrs. King, things were fine for a while, but they seem to be fighting again,” the maid reported.

Vanessa sighed deeply. “What happened?”

“I’m not sure, ma’am, but I heard the miss crying last night,” the maid explained. “And this morning, they were cold toward each other again.”

Vanessa ended the call and looked over at Leonard, who was lounging on the bed with a grin.

“Will those two ever sort things out?” she asked.

Leonard chuckled and pulled his wife closer. “Give them time. It’ll work out.”

Vanessa playfully swatted his arm. “And when are we going home?”

Leonard grinned mischievously, sweeping her off her feet. “Not anytime soon.”

“Leo!” Vanessa giggled. “Not again!”

In his study, Andrew sat at his desk with a mischievous smirk, tapping away on his keyboard. In just one hour, 40% of Smith Empire’s shares were transferred to King Corporation, making Andrew the largest shareholder.

Mr. Smith should’ve taught his daughter better than to mess with me, Andrew thought smugly as he watched the stock prices fluctuate on the screen.

James called to inform him that Mr. Smith was looking for him.

“Tell him I’m busy,” Andrew replied, still smirking. “And don’t ask why—it’s part of the plan.”

After ending the call, Andrew leaned back in his chair, contemplating how to make things right with Eva. Maybe a visit to her family will help.

Andrew found Eva in her room and leaned casually against the doorframe.

“Get ready. We’re going out,” he announced.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Eva snapped, trying to shut the door on him.

Andrew caught the door before it closed, slipping inside with ease. “Will you change, or do you need me to help you?” he asked, a playful glint in his eye.

Eva’s cheeks flushed. “You wouldn’t dare!”

Andrew took a step closer. “Try me.”

“Stop right there!” she cried, backing away.

“Fine,” Andrew shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I’ll just go alone then.”

Eva’s eyes narrowed. “What’s your game, Andrew?”

Andrew gave her a teasing smile. “I thought of taking you somewhere fun, but since you’re not interested...” He turned toward the door, his voice trailing off. “I’ll be downstairs for ten minutes if you change your mind.”

As he reached the doorway, Eva called out, “It’s somewhere I’ll like?”

Andrew hid his grin. “Of course. I wanted to make it up to you.”

Eva sat on her bed, torn between anger and curiosity. After a few moments of deliberation, she sighed and headed downstairs.

Andrew smiled knowingly when he saw her. “Let’s go,” she muttered, brushing past him toward the car.

The drive was quiet, with Eva stubbornly staring out the window, arms crossed.

Where is he taking me? she wondered. Should I ask? No, he’ll just be sarcastic.

Andrew, sensing her silent grumblings, stole a glance at her and chuckled to himself. At least she’s thinking about me.

After a short drive, Andrew pulled up in front of the Foster mansion.

Eva’s eyes widened in surprise. “My home?” she whispered.

Andrew gave a slight nod. “Yes.”

Eva bolted from the car, running inside. Irene greeted her with a startled, “Eva!”

Eva squealed with delight as she ran into her father’s arms. “I missed you, Dad!”

Andrew entered quietly, watching from the doorway as Eva basked in her family’s love.

Matthew greeted Andrew warmly. “You’re part of the family now, son. Call me Dad.”

“Where is Tristan,” Eva asked. Irene pointed to the study and Eva ran off before she could say anything.

“How did you know where my brother was,” Mia teased Irene mercilessly about her obvious crush on Tristan. “When are you going to confess?” Mia whispered with a wink.

“Shut up, Mia,” Irene hissed, blushing furiously.

In the study, Tristan was lost in thought when Eva walked in.

“Did you need something, Irene?” Tristan asked without looking up.

When there was no answer, he finally glanced up—and his heart skipped a beat.

“Eva?” he whispered, shocked. “When did you get here?”

Eva ran into his arms, her voice breaking. “Brother... he doesn’t love me.”

Tristan held her tightly, his heart aching. “That idiot,” he muttered under his breath. “He loves you—he just doesn’t know how to show it.”

Eva buried her face in his chest, tears soaking his shirt. “I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispered. “Maybe... maybe it’s better if we part ways.”

Tristan stroked her hair gently. “Do you love him, Coco?”

Eva sniffled. “I don’t know.”

“Be honest with yourself,” Tristan urged softly. “If you do, don’t give up.”

Eva nodded through her tears, her heart heavy with doubt. “Let’s go downstairs,” Tristan said, his voice gentle but firm. “It’s time to face that idiot.”