Page 37 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
The tension in my voice surprised even me.
Her expression hardened instantly.
"At the gym."
That’s when I noticed her bag and damp hair.Her explanation should have reassured me, but irrational jealousy had already taken hold.
"Since when do you stay this late?"
The question slipped out, heavy with unspoken accusations I regretted the moment I said them.Images of Eva with another man invaded my mind, tormenting me.
"Since you never get home before nine," she shot back, her icy tone reminding me of my own behavior.
The words left my mouth—mean, unfair.
"Funny, this sudden interest in working out."
I regretted them instantly, but it was too late.They hung in the air between us, poisoning the already fragile space we shared.
Her eyes filled with exhaustion, disillusionment.
"Really?"she said bitterly."You’re confusing me with someone else."
She suddenly seemed so resigned, as if she had already given up on us.
Fear gripped me.Was I losing her?The thought of Eva choosing someone else sent a cold dread through me.But was I even capable of winning her back?Or was it already too late?
Dinner that night was pure torture.We sat across from each other, yet we felt miles apart.I kept searching for a glance, a sign, an opening where I could slip in an apology, but Eva just ate in silence, her face unreadable.
And I stayed quiet, unable to find the right words.Not because they didn’t exist, but because I knew they wouldn’t be enough anymore.
That evening was a wake-up call.The mere thought of Eva being with another man had driven me insane.That raw, visceral jealousy made me realize just how much I was ruining everything.My desire for Audrey was threatening to destroy the most precious thing I had.
The next day, I put Satoshi’s advice into action.No more one-on-one meetings with Audrey, no more lingering conversations, no more dangerous complicity.I maintained a strict, almost cold professional distance.For business trips, I made sure never to be alone with her.
I had too much to lose.Eva was my anchor, my light.I couldn’t let a fleeting attraction destroy everything.That’s how I ended up flying to Norway with Steve.
Snow fell lazily over Oslo, turning the city into a picture-perfect winter postcard.After a long day of negotiations, Steve and I were heading back to our hotel when he suddenly stopped, captivated by the twinkling lights of the Christmas market.
"Hey, what do you think about checking it out?I heard it’s incredible."
Fatigue weighed on me, but the thought of finding something for Eva gave me a second wind.
"Why not?I could use a gift for Eva."
The market was a wonderland of lights and scents.The crisp air carried the aroma of mulled wine and gingerbread, while wooden stalls overflowed with shimmering ornaments.Steve pulled out his phone, capturing the magical scene.
"Hey, Tristan, give me a smile!"
He snapped a picture and sent it to Eva.Her response was immediate.
EVA:No way!You went to a Christmas market without me?!
Her message made us burst into laughter.I could almost hear her playfully outraged tone, picture her adorable pout.Eva and her obsession with Christmas markets… Just the thought of it warmed my heart more than the spiced wine in my hands.
At a stand selling wool accessories, I stopped, drawn to a scarf in shades of gray and blue.The fabric was unbelievably soft beneath my fingers.
"I think I’ll get this for Eva."
