Evan leaned against his car outside the university, his eyes scanning the crowd of students pouring out of the gates. His usual confident smirk appeared as Irene bounded toward him, her face lighting up.

“Hey, Princess,” he greeted, pulling her into a quick hug.

“I haven’t seen you in days!” Irene exclaimed. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I was a bit busy,” Evan sighed, brushing a hand through his hair.

Irene tilted her head, scrutinizing him before leaning in conspiratorially. “Mia’s mad at you too. You better fix that quickly.”

Evan laughed, shaking his head. “Noted.”

Irene checked her phone and perked up. “I have to run! Got plans.” She waved at Mia, who was approaching, and dashed off before her friend could protest.

“Wait! Irene!” Mia called, but it was too late. She stopped awkwardly in front of Evan, her cheeks faintly pink.

“Cutie pie,” Evan grinned. “I’ve got something for you. But we need to go somewhere first.”

Mia hesitated, her curiosity winning over. She nodded, allowing him to lead her to the car. The drive was quiet but comfortable, and soon, they reached the outskirts of the city. Evan stopped the car in front of a cozy cabin nestled in a wooded area.

“What are we doing here?” Mia asked, glancing around.

Evan handed her a small bag. “Go change into this. I’ll explain later.”

Mia opened the bag and frowned at the elegant dress inside. “This feels like we’re going to a party.”

“Trust me,” he winked.

With a resigned sigh, Mia retreated to the cabin’s bathroom. When she stepped out in the dress, Evan’s breath caught. The dress hugged her in all the right places, her natural beauty enhanced by its simplicity.

“You’re… enchanting,” Evan finally managed, his voice soft.

Mia snapped her fingers in front of his face. “Hello? Earth to Evan.”

He laughed, shaking himself out of his daze. “You look incredible. Let’s go.”

Evan drove them to a secluded beach, where the crashing waves sparkled under the moonlight. Mia’s heart raced as he asked her to close her eyes. He led her carefully down a candlelit path, his hand steady on hers.

“Okay, open them,” Evan said, his voice trembling slightly.

Mia’s eyes fluttered open, and tears immediately welled up. Before her was a heart-shaped arch made of vibrant flowers, hundreds of candles casting a magical glow around them.

“Evan… is this a dream?” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“No, my cutie. This is as real as my love for you,” he said, taking her hands and guiding her to the arch. “The first time I saw you, my heart whispered, ‘She’s the one.’ I fell for you hard, Mia.”

He handed her a red rose, then another as he continued. “I want us to be together forever. I want to grow old with you. I might not always be perfect, but I promise to love you with every part of me.”

As he spoke, the roses in Mia’s arms grew into a bouquet. Tears streamed down her cheeks as Evan knelt before her, pulling out a velvet box.

“Mia,” he said, his voice steady but full of emotion. “Will you be my forever? Will you make me the happiest man alive by marrying me?”

“Yes!” she cried, her voice filled with joy. “A million times, yes! I love you.”

Evan slid the sparkling diamond ring onto her finger, standing to pull her into a warm embrace. Their lips met in a tender kiss, sealing the moment.

“You’ve made me so happy,” Evan whispered as he led her to a candlelit dinner prepared on the beach.

“This is all so beautiful,” Mia said, her voice still shaky with emotion.

“You deserve nothing less,” Evan replied, his eyes never leaving hers.

After the meal, Evan reluctantly drove Mia home. “I wish I didn’t have to take you back. I want to keep you all to myself,” he sighed, stealing glances at her.

“My brother is probably waiting,” Mia said with a laugh. “He’ll go crazy if I’m late.”

Evan rolled his eyes. “He’s single—that’s why he acts like that. The man needs his own romance.”

Mia giggled, knowing Tristan’s feelings for Irene were deeper than he let on. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Tristan standing in front of the car as they pulled up to the Foster mansion.

“Brother!” Mia shouted, jumping out to greet him.

“Where have you been?” Tristan asked, his sharp gaze shifting to Evan. He noticed their formal attire and Mia’s radiant smile. Then his eyes fell on the diamond ring glittering on her finger.

“He proposed,” Tristan thought grimly, hiding his expression.

“Mia, go inside. I need to talk to him,” Tristan said, his voice low.

“Bye, Evan,” Mia said with a shy smile, hurrying inside.

Tristan turned to Evan, his demeanor icy. “It’s not so easy to marry her.”

Evan raised an eyebrow, his frustration growing. “I don’t need your approval to love her.”

“She’s my sister, and I haven’t agreed to anything yet,” Tristan said firmly. “You may have put a ring on her finger, but you’re far from earning my blessing.”

“What’s your problem, Tristan? Is it because you’re single?” Evan snapped.

Tristan’s glare darkened. “I said what I said. You may leave now.” Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Evan stood there, fuming. He wanted to strangle Tristan but knew he couldn’t for the sake of Mia, Eva, and—of course—Irene. “How can she love such a stubborn idiot?” he muttered, shaking his head as he got into his car.

With a sigh, he drove off, his thoughts already turning to how he could win over his infuriating future brother-in-law.