Eva was unaware that her apartment was being watched, nor did she care. After everything that had happened, she wanted nothing more than peace. That peace was shattered when the doorbell rang. Confused, she opened the door and was shocked to see Andrew standing there, soaked to the bone, rain dripping from his chiseled features.

“Andrew?” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Can I come in?” he asked, his voice low, almost vulnerable.

Before Eva could answer, Andrew’s body swayed, and she caught him just in time to prevent him from collapsing to the floor. Struggling under his weight, she managed to drag him inside and lay him down on the couch.

“Andrew,” she called his name urgently, but he didn’t respond. When she touched his forehead, panic surged through her—he was burning up with a high fever. Tears pricked her eyes as she tried to shake him awake, but all he did was mumble her name incoherently, begging her not to leave him.

Frantic, Eva grabbed her phone and called Madeline. “Maddy, I need to speak to Anthony. Now.”

Minutes later, Anthony’s calm voice came through the line. “Eva, relax. What’s his temperature?”

“103,” she choked out through her tears.

Anthony quickly walked her through the steps to reduce his fever, reassuring her that everything would be fine. Eva followed his instructions, doing everything in her power to bring his temperature down. Exhausted, she eventually fell asleep on the floor beside the couch, her head resting near Andrew’s arm.

When Andrew woke up, the first thing he noticed was Eva, asleep beside him. Her face was serene, despite the dried tear tracks on her cheeks. His heart swelled at the sight of her, and he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear.

“Thank you for taking care of me, sweetheart,” he whispered softly. “I promise it will all be okay.”

Eva stirred awake at the sound of his voice and opened her eyes. Relief flooded her face when she saw him awake. “Are you feeling better?” she asked, placing a hand on his forehead.

“Totally fine,” Andrew replied with a charming smile.

“Good,” Eva huffed as she stood up. “Then you can leave.”

“No, I’m still not okay,” he fake-coughed, smirking at her.

“Enough with the dramatics,” she mumbled, rolling her eyes. “Such a drama queen.”

Andrew chuckled as he looked around her cozy apartment. “This place is nice. Very cozy.”

“It’s not for you,” Eva snapped. “It’s time to go.”

Andrew stood but refused to leave. “We aren’t divorced yet, Mrs. King,” he said, his tone teasing as he emphasized the last word.

“It’s Eva Foster now,” she retorted. “And I’m serious. Leave.”

“Or else?” Andrew took a step closer, pinning her against the wall. His smirk softened as he caressed her hair, his eyes locking with hers.

Eva tried to keep her composure, but her heart betrayed her as it pounded against her chest. She tried to shove him away, but it was like pushing a wall. “Andrew, stop.”

“We need to talk,” he said, his voice dropping an octave. His proximity and the way he brushed his lips near her neck made her shiver.

“Andrew, you already have someone,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “This isn’t right.”

“I do have someone,” he admitted, his lips brushing against her collarbone. “But you misunderstood.”

Her heart cracked at his words, and with a burst of strength, she pushed him away harder this time. “I won’t let you lead me on while you’re still in love with Jessica!”

Andrew stepped back, his eyes narrowing as he finally saw how deeply hurt Eva was. He sat back on the couch, motioning for her to sit across from him. “We need to clear this up.”

Reluctantly, Eva sat down, crossing her arms. “Go ahead.”

“What you saw in the office wasn’t what you think,” Andrew began, his tone measured.

“My eyes don’t lie, Andrew,” she replied sharply, tears glistening in her eyes. “You let her touch you. You let her—”

“I didn’t let her do anything,” Andrew interrupted. “I didn’t reciprocate, Eva. I was about to push her away before you walked in.”

“Even so,” Eva whispered, her voice breaking. “You didn’t stop her in time. It’s clear you still have feelings for her.”

Andrew sighed and stood, walking to her side. He knelt in front of her, his hands resting gently on her knees. “Eva, I don’t love Jessica. I never did.”

“Then why didn’t you stop her?” Eva asked, her voice trembling. “Why did it look so… intimate?”

“Because I’m an idiot,” Andrew admitted. “I thought I could handle things my way, but I was wrong. Eva, listen to me. I don’t want Jessica. I don’t want anyone else but you.”

Eva shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “I can’t do this anymore, Andrew. I can’t keep hoping for something that might never come. I need to find my own happiness.”

Andrew’s hands moved to cup her face, forcing her to look at him. “Eva, I love you,” he said, his voice raw with emotion. “I’ve loved you for a long time. I just didn’t know how to show it.”

Eva’s heart stuttered, but she tried to keep her walls up. “I don’t believe you.”

“Let me prove it to you,” Andrew whispered, his forehead pressing against hers. “Let me show you how much you mean to me.”

Torn between her love for him and the pain he had caused, Eva looked away. “Andrew, I don’t know if I can trust you again.”

“You can,” he said firmly. “Please, Eva. Give me one more chance.”

Her silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. Then, without warning, Andrew leaned in and captured her lips in a passionate, desperate kiss. Eva’s resistance melted away as his arms wrapped around her, holding her as if he’d never let go.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless. “This is just the beginning, Eva,” Andrew said, his voice trembling with sincerity. “I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to you that I’m worthy of your love.”