Page 57 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
"Do you love Audrey?"Leila asked, going straight to the heart of the problem.
"No.I found her attention pleasant and flattering, and I played with fire.But when I realized I might lose Eva, it was like an electric shock.I understood that even if Audrey inflamed my senses, she didn't give me that unique feeling I have with Eva.With Eva, I feel complete.She has this ability to push me to surpass myself, to make me believe that anything is possible.When she looks at me with pride, I feel invincible.Eva makes me better without even trying, just by being herself.She doesn't expect anything from me, she just wants us to build a future together.With Audrey, I don't find any of that.I don't feel that deep connection, that desire to build a future."
"Then why?"Leila replied skeptically, playing idly with her chopsticks.
"In reality, Audrey was just a pretext," I admitted shamefully.
Satoshi, who had remained silent until now, stopped unpacking the dishes.He put a box on the table and stared at me intensely.
"A pretext?What do you mean?"
"I grew up watching my parents tear each other apart, their love turning into poison.Every day, my mother repeated to me that love doesn't last.These words were engraved in me more deeply than I thought.With Eva, I discovered a love so intense, so perfect that it terrified me.From our first arguments, instead of fighting for us, I unconsciously started looking for flaws, preparing for the inevitable failure.Audrey...she represented a kind of escape route, a way to sabotage our relationship before Eva realized I didn't deserve her.It was easier to destroy everything myself than to wait for happiness to slip away.I was so convinced that love couldn't last that I destroyed the most beautiful gift life had given me."
"That's a bit twisted as reasoning, but I understand," Leila admitted, her expression softening."Childhood wounds leave deep scars.With what you've been through, I'm even surprised it didn't blow up in your face sooner."
"So, what are you going to do now?"Satoshi asked, opening a box of gyoza.
"I'm going to ask for her forgiveness, prove to her that I can become a man worthy of her.And I'm going to ask for a second chance."
"In that case, I'm going to buy popcorn," Leila joked, a mischievous smile on her lips."Eva's going to make you crawl, you know!"
"I'm dying to see that," Satoshi added with a smirk.
And my two so-called friends burst out laughing, cackling like hyenas at my expense.Their hilarity echoed in the living room, finally breaking the tension that had settled since the beginning of the evening.
No matter, if Eva agreed to give me a second chance, I would buy them the popcorn myself.A whole case if necessary.
35.He barely sees me
EVA
When I rang Steve's doorbell that Saturday night, he cursed as he opened the door, surprised to see me standing there alone, exhausted, my face streaked with dried tears.
"Eva, for God's sake, what state are you in!"he exclaimed, shock visible on his face."We were all worried sick.Come in," he said, stepping aside to let me pass.
"Who is it?"a female voice called from one of the bedrooms.
"Just a friend.Go to sleep, I'll join you later," Steve replied quickly.
I lowered my eyes, embarrassed to have interrupted his evening.
"I'm sorry to bother you, I didn't know where else to go..."I whispered.
"Eva, you'll always be welcome here," he said softly.
"Thank you..."
At that moment, the dam broke.The tears I had somehow managed to hold back began to flow freely.Steve, without a word, wrapped me in his arms, supporting me as I crumbled under the weight of my pain.
"Eva, I'm here," he murmured gently."I'm here."
He rocked me softly, letting me cry until exhaustion took over.
I woke up the next day in the guest room.A familiar place where I had slept many times with Tristan.The memory of our moments shared here instantly tightened my throat.
I got up, took a quick shower, and joined Steve in the living room, trying to prepare myself to face the day ahead.
"Your girlfriend isn't here?"I asked, glancing toward the bedroom.
