Chapter 7 - One Bed, Two Hearts

The countryside estate was impossibly beautiful. Rolling hills framed in soft mist, an elegant villa perched like a crown jewel in the distance. To Evelyn, it looked like a postcard from another life.

One that didn't belong to her.

"This weekend is crucial." Damian's voice cut through the hum of the car engine, calm and controlled as ever.

Evelyn sat stiffly in the backseat beside him, trying not to let her nerves show. "Aren't all your weekends crucial?"

"This one more so. The Zhao family controls key investments in the renewable sector. Securing their support requires convincing them our engagement isn't just a publicity stunt."

Evelyn glanced out the tinted window. "And I assume your grandmother will be there too?"

"She never misses these retreats. She'll expect you to act like a perfect Lu."

Evelyn's stomach tightened. Perfect. Right. She could barely remember to keep her posture straight at the last event.

"Don't overthink it." Damian's voice softened—barely. "Just stay close. Let me lead."

His words shouldn't have felt like a comfort. But somehow… they did.

The villa's staff greeted them with practiced bows. Evelyn did her best to mirror Damian's graceful nods, though she felt like an imposter in her beige trench coat and heels that pinched slightly.

"Mr. Lu, Miss Liang," William greeted them in the foyer, clipboard in hand. "There's been a slight change in accommodations."

Damian's brow ticked. "Explain."

"The estate had fewer suites available than expected. Your room is the West Suite."

"Our room?" Evelyn echoed.

William gave a perfectly polite smile. "The West Suite is the largest. It seemed… practical."

Evelyn's throat went dry.

The West Suite was indeed large—vaulted ceilings, soft lighting, a sweeping view of the hills beyond.

But none of that mattered because there was only one bed.

A king-sized monstrosity draped in ivory silk sheets.

Evelyn froze in the doorway. "This… this can't be right."

Damian's expression didn't change. "It's fine."

"Fine? There's only one bed!"

"We're adults. I trust you won't crawl into my arms in the middle of the night."

Evelyn's cheeks flamed. "As if I'd want to!"

"Good. Then there's no problem." He strode past her, tossing his suit jacket onto a nearby chair.

Evelyn muttered a few choice words under her breath and dragged her suitcase into the corner.

Dinner that evening was a minefield.

The Zhao family was all smiles, their matriarch's sharp eyes scanning Evelyn as if measuring her worth. Damian's grandmother sat nearby, her jade earrings glinting under the chandelier light.

"You're even lovelier in person," Mrs. Zhao said, her tone sweet but probing. "Damian's been so private all these years. How did you two meet?"

Evelyn swallowed. "Through mutual friends," she recited, the rehearsed line tasting like cardboard in her mouth.

"And it was love at first sight?"

Damian's hand found hers under the table, his thumb brushing her knuckles subtly. The gesture sent a confusing jolt of warmth up her arm.

"Yes," he answered smoothly. "She captivated me immediately."

Evelyn forced a shy smile, praying no one could hear how fast her heart was racing.

Back in the West Suite, Evelyn kicked off her heels and collapsed onto the couch.

"I hate this."

"You handled yourself well," Damian said from across the room, loosening his tie.

"I was shaking like a leaf."

"They didn't notice."

Evelyn's gaze darted to him. Damian had removed his jacket and tie, leaving only the crisp white dress shirt. The top buttons were undone, revealing just enough collarbone to make her stomach do a strange flip.

She quickly looked away.

"I'll take the couch," she said.

"You'll take the bed." His tone brooked no argument.

"But—"

"I won't argue over something this trivial. You need the rest more than I do."

Evelyn bit back a retort. Fine. If he wanted to play the noble, brooding CEO, let him.

She lay stiffly under the silk sheets that night, staring at the ceiling.

Through the darkness, she heard Damian settle on the couch.

"You're not as cold as you pretend to be," she said softly, surprising even herself.

Silence.

Then, "And you're not as fragile as you think."

Evelyn turned her head. "That's not an answer."

"Go to sleep, Evelyn."

Cliffhanger:

But sleep didn't come easily. Not with Damian Lu lying only a few feet away—and her body betraying her with every racing heartbeat.