Later that evening, the room was quiet. Huldah had ushered the family out, leaving Charls "alone time" with his "fiancée."
Charls sat in the uncomfortable hospital chair, scrolling through emails on his phone with one hand.
"You're working," Eve stated. It wasn't an accusation, just an observation.
"Someone has to pay for this private suite," Charls muttered without looking up.
"You're so responsible," Eve sighed dreamily.
Charls paused. He looked at her. "Eve, stop. You don't have to do... this."
"Do what?"
"Act like I'm a hero. I'm Charls Wiley. I tried to hostile takeover your company three months ago."
Eve waved a hand dismissively. "Foreplay."
Charls dropped his phone. "Excuse me?"
"That was just our way of flirting," Eve explained confidently. "We're both alpha personalities. We express passion through conflict. My therapist would say it's unhealthy, but look at us now."
She gestured between them.
Charls stared at her. Her logic was terrifyingly sound, in a twisted way. She had rewritten their entire history to fit her narrative.
"Right," Charls said dryly. "Flirting."
"Charls," Eve's voice turned serious. "Come sit on the bed. Please? You're so far away."
"I'm fine here."
"Please? My head hurts."
The guilt card. She was playing dirty.
Charls groaned and stood up. He walked over and perched awkwardly on the edge of the mattress, leaving a foot of space between them.
"Closer," Eve commanded.
He scooted an inch closer.
Eve reached out and rested her head on his good shoulder. She let out a long, contented sigh.
Charls stiffened. His muscles were tense, ready to bolt. But she smelled like vanilla and antiseptic. Her hair tickled his neck. Her weight against him felt... grounding.
"I was so scared," Eve whispered. "When I woke up and didn't know where I was... I was terrified. Until I saw you."
Charls felt a pang of guilt in his chest. He was lying to her. He was using her.
"Eve..." he started, his voice softer.
"I know I'm difficult," she continued. "I know I work too much. But I promise, I'm going to be a better wife. I'm going to make you happy."
She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face.
Charls looked into those brown eyes. He saw honesty there. Vulnerability. Things Eve Franks never showed the world.
He realized then that he didn't know her at all. He knew the CEO. He didn't know the woman.
"You're not difficult," Charls found himself saying. "You're... impressive."
Eve smiled. "Kiss me."
Charls panicked. "What?"
"Kiss me. Doctor's orders. To help my memory."
"The doctor definitely did not say that."
"Please?" She pouted.
Charls looked at her lips. They were pale, slightly chapped.
He leaned in slowly. He told himself it was just to keep the cover. Just a peck.
He brushed his lips against hers. It was light, tentative.
Eve hummed and pressed into him, deepening the kiss.
A shockwave went through Charls. It wasn't cold. It wasn't calculated. It was electric. Her lips were soft, yielding.
He pulled back abruptly, breathless. His heart was pounding.
Eve kept her eyes closed, a smile playing on her lips. "See? I told you we had chemistry."
Charls stared at her, terrified. Because she was right.
