After what felt like an eternity of heated kisses, Andrew finally pulled away, his breathing ragged and his gaze soft yet intense. He smiled as he cupped Eva’s flushed face and turned her toward the mirror in the corner of the room.

“Would you like to know the name of the woman I truly love?” he asked, his voice low and tender.

Eva, still catching her breath, blinked up at him in confusion. Andrew leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, “Look there.” He pointed to her reflection in the mirror. “There she is—the only one for me. My forever and my always.”

Eva’s eyes widened as she stared at her own reflection, Andrew standing tall and confident behind her with an adoring smile. His words sent a shiver through her, and for the first time, it sank in that Andrew wasn’t playing games—he was serious.

“Can I trust you?” she asked hesitantly, meeting his eyes in the mirror.

Andrew spun her around gently, cradling her face in his hands. “Always. Never second-guess my feelings for you,” he said, his voice steady and sincere. He pulled her close, wrapping her in a tight embrace. “I’ve been a fool for too long, but I promise I’m here for you now.”

Eva felt her knees go weak as she allowed herself to relax in his arms. But before she could process everything, Andrew sighed, releasing her slightly. “I’m tired and need some rest,” he said, rubbing his temple. “I still feel like crap.”

Without waiting for a response, he walked over to the couch and lay down, closing his eyes as if nothing monumental had just happened.

“He’s sleeping?” Eva mumbled, still rooted in place. She couldn’t believe the man who had just confessed his love so dramatically had simply gone to sleep. “What kind of idiot—?”

“Did you say something?” Andrew’s voice interrupted her thoughts, his eyes still closed but a sly smile tugging at his lips.

“You’re impossible,” she muttered, rolling her eyes.

Andrew chuckled lightly and cracked an eye open. “So are you—for not realizing I loved you sooner.”

Eva huffed in frustration, walking over to smack his shoulder. “You’re insufferable.”

But Andrew seized her wrist and, with a firm tug, pulled her down onto the couch beside him. “Stay,” he murmured. “Sleep with me for a bit.”

Eva flushed, squirming in his hold. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I want to sleep with my wife,” Andrew said, pouting like a child. His expression caught Eva completely off guard.

“You’re ridiculous,” she said, attempting to get up, but he tightened his hold, pulling her closer. “Andrew—”

“Shh,” he whispered, resting his chin on her head. “Don’t fight me. I’ve been waiting forever to hold you like this.”

Eva’s protests faded as she felt his arms wrap around her waist, pulling her snugly against his body. A soft kiss landed on the back of her head, sending an unexpected shiver through her. She couldn’t reconcile this affectionate, teasing Andrew with the cold, distant man she had married.

Then she felt his nose brush against her neck, followed by the warm press of his lips. “Mmm… you smell so good,” he murmured against her skin before placing another kiss on her bare shoulder.

Eva’s breath hitched. She tried to steady her thoughts, but his lips trailed down her neck, nibbling lightly at her sensitive flesh. “Andrew…” she whispered, her voice a mix of warning and desire.

“Do you want me to stop?” he asked, his voice low and husky, the heat of his breath tickling her ear.

Before she could answer, his teeth grazed the spot where his lips had just been, sending a jolt of sensation through her. She gasped, and he took advantage of the moment to turn her so that she was facing him.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, tracing his tongue over her parted lips. Her gasp gave him an opening, and he deepened the kiss, his hands deftly finding the buttons of her shirt.

Eva felt herself slipping into the moment, her body responding to him despite her mind’s protests. His hand cupped her breast, and a soft moan escaped her lips. But then Jessica’s cruel words invaded her thoughts.

“We did it more than five times… he could never forget me.”

“Stop!” Eva cried out, startling Andrew. She pushed him away with trembling hands, tears streaming down her face.

Andrew froze, his eyes wide with worry. “What happened, my love?” he asked gently, reaching out to wipe her tears.

Eva shook her head, her voice breaking as she said, “I can’t. I just can’t. Even if you love me now, how can I believe it?”

Andrew frowned, his heart aching at the sight of her tears. “Eva, please. Talk to me.”

Through her sobs, she told him about Jessica’s claims—that he had been intimate with her repeatedly and still craved her. Andrew’s expression darkened, a mix of anger and frustration flashing in his eyes.

“Jessica lied,” he said firmly. “I’ve never slept with her.”

Eva looked at him skeptically, her hurt and doubt evident. “But you touched her—”

Andrew sighed. “Yes, we kissed, and we got a little handsy, but it was never serious. I didn’t love her, Eva. I never did.”

The admission stung, but Eva could see the truth in his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t want to hurt you,” Andrew confessed. “And because I needed her for something.”

Eva’s brow furrowed. “Needed her?”

Andrew explained Jessica’s connection to the warehouse fire and his plan to use her to uncover the mastermind behind it. “I let you see that scene in my office today because I wanted her to think I was pushing you away. But I never meant for it to hurt you.”

Eva’s heart softened slightly, but the sting of betrayal still lingered. “Why didn’t you trust me with the truth?”

“I was scared,” Andrew admitted. “Scared that you wouldn’t understand. Scared that you’d leave me before I could fix everything.”

Eva took a deep breath, her emotions warring inside her. “One more chance,” she said finally, her voice trembling. “But Andrew, if you hurt me again, there won’t be another.”

Relief washed over Andrew’s face, and he pulled her into his arms, holding her as if his life depended on it. “I promise, Eva,” he whispered. “I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

As they sat together, Andrew patted her back soothingly, and for the first time in a long while, Eva allowed herself to hope. Before long, both of them drifted into a peaceful sleep, tangled in each other’s arms.