Nathan frowned, and confusion showed clearly on his face. "What are you talking about?"

He had no idea Rosalyn had been pregnant five years ago. He thought she was just overwhelmed, thus speaking without thinking.

"So you really care about Andrew that much?" Nathan asked sharply. "Tell me, how far does that love go?"

The question caught Rosalyn off guard. She froze, unsure how to answer. Did love still matter at all? She'd gone through too much, and her heart was shattered. Now, all she wanted was a quiet life. A home that felt warm. She wanted to marry Andrew and live a peaceful life together.

She was so close to having it. Then, Nathan reappeared and messed everything up.

The doorbell suddenly rang.

Rosalyn flinched.

Nathan didn't think twice. He turned and walked toward the door.

Panic hit her hard. She rushed forward and grabbed him from behind, holding on tight.

Her arms wrapped around his waist, and his hands came down over hers.

"Nathan, please! Don't tell him I'm here. I'm begging you." Her whole body trembled against him, and tears kept falling down her face.

Something in his chest tightened, like a quick stab he couldn't ignore. His voice dropped. "Alright."

The moment she heard his answer, Rosalyn rushed to gather her clothes and shoes. She then slipped into the bathroom and shut the door behind her.

She didn't notice one of the earrings Andrew gifted her slipping off and landing on the carpet.

"Mr. Harvey, sorry for bothering you at this hour," Andrew said.

Nathan pulled a blank face. "Spare me such talks. Just out with what you came to say."

Nathan's blunt words made Andrew's face burn.

"Why are you still standing there?" Nathan added, his voice flat. "Come inside."

As Nathan spoke, he shifted his foot slightly, and something small caught the light on the carpet.

An earring lay there, glowing under the chandelier. The light bounced off it and made it stand out even more.

Andrew recognized it right away. He had picked that earring himself. Beneath his suit, his muscles tightened. He didn't show it on his face, though. Instead, he lowered his gaze and stepped forward, pressing his shoe down over it.

Nathan noticed everything Andrew did. He watched, and the look in his eyes turned sharp with mockery. Years ago, Rosalyn had taken a huge breakup fee and disappeared without a word, only to be with such a loser.

Nathan leaned back on the sofa. His robe hung loose, showing the hickeys on his chest without any attempt to hide them. He watched Andrew struggle to hide his anger and embarrassment.

"Mr. Harvey, I came to ask if you've seen my fiancée," Andrew said. "She was supposed to drop off some documents, but I haven't been able to reach her."

Nathan raised a brow. "Your fiancée?"

"Yes. Rosalyn Carter."

Nathan gave a slow nod. "You only came looking for her now? If something had gone wrong, Miss Carter might've..."

He left the sentence unfinished, but the meaning hit just the same. Andrew's face grew even redder.

Nathan seemed to lose interest after that. He reached for the documents on the table and flipped through them without much care. "Mr. Murray, did you always ask your fiancée to meet with male business partners on your behalf?"

The question didn't sit right with Andrew, but he still forced a polite smile. "I had an important meeting and couldn't step away. So I asked her to deliver the files for me. That's on me. It won't happen again."

Even as he spoke, his eyes kept drifting toward the bathroom door. Through the faint outline, he could make out the shape of someone standing inside. Could it be...

Andrew said, "Mr. Harvey, now that the documents are with you, I hope you can look them over soon. This project's getting a lot of attention, and I don't want someone else to take it instead."

A low chuckle slipped out of Nathan. "Since when did the Harvey Group ever worry about losing to anyone? If something slips out of my hands, I'll take it back myself. That includes people. You get what I'm saying?"

The meaning behind his words didn't need to be spelled out.

Andrew felt the pressure in Nathan's gaze, and the smile on his face stiffened.

Andrew said, "Since the documents are delivered, and my fiancée isn't here, I'll take my leave, Mr. Harvey."

Nathan gave no reply, as if Andrew were not even present.

Turning around, Andrew gazed at the bathroom door for a few seconds before finally walking out.

Once Andrew left, Nathan walked over and tapped on the bathroom door. "You can come out. He's gone."

Rosalyn threw her clothes back on in a hurry and didn't even bother fixing her hair. She felt a moment of relief, but it didn't last. The way she looked at Nathan still carried caution, and there was clear hatred behind it.

He let out a short scoff when he saw her expression. "I helped you out, and that's the face you give me? Rosalyn, you should think carefully about how you'll explain this when you go back. Do you really think he didn't notice what happened here, or do you believe he just doesn't recognize your scent?"

Rosalyn stiffened and responded coldly, "He's nothing like you. He won't see me that way."

"You really don't understand him. For fifty million, even if he walked in and saw everything, he'd act as if nothing had happened. You think he couldn't have sent someone else to deliver those documents?"

"Nathan Harvey!" Rosalyn snapped, anger rising fast. "Not everyone's as disgusting as you!"

"Disgusting?" Nathan reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his face calm. "Your fiancé comes from a respectable family, doesn't he? Both parents are university professors. What do you think happens if they find out about your past? The nights you spent with me. Everything you learned in my bed. Do you think they would still welcome you into that family?"

His words struck her hard. A sharp pain throbbed at her temples, and her whole body started to shake.

She bit her lips until she tasted blood. When she spoke, her voice was low. "Nathan, what do you want from me?"

"Go and tell them everything."

"Go tell Andrew the truth. Tell him you used to sell yourself. Tell him I kept you for three years. Tell him your first time was with me. And the money he's using now? That came from what you earned in my bed. If you can't say it, then end things with him. Don't make me wait too long, Rosalyn. I don't have that kind of patience."

Rain came down the second Rosalyn stepped outside. Old memories kept coming back, one after another. Five years had passed, but it still felt like she hadn't gotten out of it.

Her phone kept ringing and dragged her back to the reality. She saw Andrew's name and picked up.

"Where are you?" Andrew asked urgently.

She hesitated before answering, "Sorry, I forgot to tell you earlier. My friend just went through a breakup, so I went out with her for a drink. Just wait for me at home. I'll be back soon."

"Alright."

After the call ended, the uneasy feeling didn't go away. It got worse. She went to the mall right away and bought new clothes. The ones Nathan had touched went straight into the trash.

Later, when she met Andrew, she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. "Sorry for making you worry with those missed calls."

Andrew said nothing at first. He just stared at her, his expression hard to read. "Is that what you were wearing when you left this morning?"

The question threw her off. He usually didn't care about such details. Half the time, he wouldn't even notice what she wore.

"I ran into a homeless guy earlier. He grabbed my dress, and it got dirty. I just bought a new one and changed." Her voice came out steadily, but her heart was pounding hard.

"Really?" Andrew asked, a faint smile on his face. The way he looked at her made it obvious. He didn't believe her at all.

Nathan's threats kept ringing in her ears. At that moment, she didn't want to hide her past anymore. She wanted to tell Andrew everything.

"Andrew, I..." Rosalyn made up her mind to tell him everything, but before she could continue, his phone suddenly rang.

The sharp sound cut through the moment. Her eyes dropped to the screen, and the name "Nathan Harvey" made her freeze.

Without wasting time, Andrew picked up and turned on the speaker.

Nathan's voice rang out. "I've already signed the contract. Come by tomorrow morning to collect it, Mr. Murray. And your fiancée handled everything well. She's highly capable. It's not often you come across someone like her."

Each word hit Rosalyn like a shock. Her thoughts began to spiral, and she could barely steady herself. She pressed her fingers into her palm until it hurt, bracing for whatever Nathan might say next.

But the call ended just like that. Nathan didn't push things further.

A quiet breath slipped out of her as the tension eased, though it didn't last long. Her phone lit up.

She turned slightly and checked it. It was a message from Nathan. "My patience is limited, Miss Carter. You should understand that better than anyone."

Her brows tightened as she deleted it without a second thought.

When she turned around and faced Andrew again, his eyes were already on her.

She slipped her phone behind her back and shifted the topic. "Your parents. When are they coming?"

She figured that since she was going to say everything, she had to be honest about all of it before the wedding. Keeping it hidden wouldn't change anything because Nathan would make sure her past came out anyway, and that wouldn't be fair to Andrew or his family.

Andrew clenched his jaw before speaking. "Honey, Mr. Harvey just praised you. You've helped me more than you know."

His fingers brushed along her neck, slow and deliberate. "Once you're done trying on the wedding dresses tomorrow, I'll set up a meeting with them."

A small nod from her followed. "Okay."

Meanwhile, tension filled the hotel room.

"Who exactly is she?" Julia Sutton stepped forward and threw a stack of photos onto the table.

Without rushing, Nathan adjusted the belt of his robe. Only then did his attention shift toward the scattered images. In every shot, two figures stayed pressed close, leaving no room for doubt.

Nathan raised an eyebrow. Traces of Rosalyn still lingered in the room, but the evidence of their encounters had already reached Julia.

"Your father approached my family to propose this marriage arrangement between us. You should at least act like it matters. I paid five million to keep these photos from spreading. If I hadn't, they'd already be everywhere by now. If you can't control yourself, then learn how to keep her hidden. I don't want to deal with this kind of trouble again," Julia said, crossing her arms without softening her tone.

Her eyes stayed on the photos longer than needed. Even in the photos, the woman's figure stood out in a way that drew attention without effort.

Nathan reached out and gathered the photos in one sweep. "Where are the negatives?"

A short laugh slipped from her lips. "Gone. Looks like you do care about your reputation."

No response came from him.

Julia said, "Don't show up late for the wedding dress fitting tomorrow."

Before stepping out, she glanced around the room, her nose scrunching as if the place offended her. Rumors from the paparazzi echoed in her mind, stories about how long their time together had lasted.

The door shut behind her. From the other side, her voice carried faintly. "Shameless."

For five years, Julia had carried the title of Nathan's fiancée.

At that time, Nathan hadn't taken control of the Harvey family yet. His mother's expectations still held him in place, and his overbearing cousin constantly pressed down on him.

Only by gaining the Sutton family's backing could Nathan truly secure his place as the successor.

Fortunately for Nathan, Julia cared only about the authority he held within the Harvey family. She showed no urgency to rush into marriage, and he was more than willing to let the matter drift.

As a result, the wedding kept getting delayed. One year turned into another until five years had quietly passed.

If Rosalyn had never shown up again, Nathan's life would've continued along the path that had already been laid out for him.

Yet, the last thing Nathan expected was to run into Rosalyn at the bridal boutique the very next day.

"I want that dress," Julia said. Her eyes swept briefly over Rosalyn before settling on the wedding gown Andrew was holding.

Rosalyn lowered her gaze slightly. She recognized the woman as the Sutton family's daughter and Nathan's fiancée, also the reason she and Nathan had parted ways five years ago.

Five years ago, Rosalyn had envied Julia. But now, upon seeing her again, that old feeling had vanished.

"It's fine," Rosalyn said gently as she tugged at Andrew's sleeve. "We can just look for a different one."

Andrew responded, "Why should we? Just because she wants it, that means we have to give it up?"

Rosalyn paused, unsure what he truly meant. "It's only a wedding dress. I'm the one who'll wear it, and I really don't mind. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?"

A trace of irritation crossed Andrew's face.

Hoping to calm things down, Rosalyn spoke with quiet patience. "I'm serious. It really doesn't matter."

Before the situation could grow tense, the sales assistant quickly stepped forward with another dress. "The two gowns are almost the same. The only difference is the neckline. Once they're worn, they look nearly identical. Both of you could try them on."

Feeling awkward, Rosalyn took the dress and walked toward the fitting room.

Moments after she slipped out of her clothes, she realized something was missing. A few accessories hadn't been brought in with her. She quickly sent Andrew a message, asking him to let the sales assistant deliver them.

Not long afterward, someone knocked on the door. Rosalyn opened it without thinking. The next instant, Nathan stepped inside, bringing a rush of cold air with him.

"This is a bridal shop," Rosalyn said in a hushed voice, her brows knitting together. "The fitting rooms might not have cameras, but the hallway outside definitely does."

"You told me you would be honest with Andrew. Yet here you are, trying on a wedding dress. Tell me. Does he know anything about what happened between us?" Nathan's voice was cold, his usually emotionless eyes now holding a trace of anger.

"It's not like what you think... I just haven't found the chance to tell him yet."

Before she could say anything else, another knock sounded against the door.

Andrew's voice came from the other side. "I brought the hair accessories."

The handle began to turn.

Rosalyn opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her eyes widened as she stared at Nathan, who still stood close against her.

Instead of stepping away, Nathan turned his back to her. One hand rested on the door handle while he looked over his shoulder with a faint, provoking smile.

He had always been skilled at pushing her patience to the limit.

"Wait!" Rosalyn blurted out, closing the door without hesitation.

The dull thud was like a needle, piercing the fragile facade they maintained.

"Rosalyn?" Andrew pushed from outside. "Is everything alright in there?"

"I'm fine," she answered quickly, her breathing uneven. "Just... still putting the dress on."

A laugh came from the other side of the door. "Why so shy?"

Andrew's tone was mild, lacking warmth or any particular emotion, but it made Rosalyn feel strangely uneasy. That sensation grew stronger when she lifted her gaze and saw Nathan's face.

Moments earlier, he had worn a smirk, but now, it had vanished. His eyes held a dark glint that was unsettling.

Rosalyn bit down on her teeth and pulled the door open just enough to slip out.

The zipper on the back of her dress still hung loose. She turned around and lowered her head slightly. "Andrew, could you help me zip this up?"

Andrew agreed and stepped forward without hesitation. Yet, his eyes slowly shifted away from her back and toward the dressing room she'd just stepped out of.

The door was slightly ajar. Through the narrow opening, a faint shadow seemed to move inside.

Andrew slowed his actions. His breathing became quiet as he held himself still.

"Is it finished?" Rosalyn asked. Anxiety pushed her to leave as soon as possible.

"It's done." Andrew pulled the zipper up in one swift motion, almost catching Rosalyn's skin.

Rosalyn flinched slightly but kept silent. After a glance at her reflection in the mirror, she spoke. "Andrew, this dress feels a little tight on me. Let's look for another one, shall we?"

Instead of answering, Andrew turned his gaze toward another fitting room nearby. At that moment, the door opened.

Julia stepped out wearing a wedding dress that looked almost identical to Rosalyn's.