### **A Truth Revealed Over a Call**
One afternoon, Liam called Ethan's office number, and Evelyn answered.
"Yes, how may I help you?" she asked professionally.
"Evelyn, I want to talk with you," Liam said.
Evelyn hesitated, uncertain. "What do you need to talk about?"
"It's about you and Ethan," Liam responded.
Her uncertainty grew. "What about us? Okay, tell me."
Liam sighed. "I want to talk about the love between you two."
Evelyn stiffened slightly. "Yes? What about it?"
"I know you two are pretending to be lovers," Liam stated.
Evelyn's pulse quickened, but she masked her anxiety. "Okay, if that's what you believe—that we're pretending—did you call just to say that?"
Liam chuckled. "I think Ethan chose you for this because of your boldness. You're even stronger than I imagined."
Evelyn grew impatient. "Liam, please—just say what you need to."
"Alright, I'll get to the point," Liam said. "Ethan, Isla, and I have been childhood friends.
I never realized when I started loving Isla, but I love her deeply. The problem is—I don't know how to tell her.
Ethan was the only one who knew. But suddenly, our families started discussing an engagement between Ethan and Isla. He needed to stop that engagement—for me and my love."
Evelyn listened closely, absorbing every word.
"That's why Ethan made this contract with you," Liam admitted. "I'm sorry, Evelyn. I'm the reason behind all of this.
Ethan is a good person. He doesn't hurt anyone, and he has never spoken badly about any woman. But for me, he lowered himself and created this arrangement with you.
He sacrifices everything for those he cares about. He even gave up his dignity in front of you—for me."
Evelyn took a deep breath. "There's no need to apologize, Liam. But why are you telling me all this? Because you don't want me to see Ethan as a bad person?"
"Yes, that's part of it," Liam admitted. "But also—Ethan feels guilty. When he found out why you accepted his offer, he felt like he used your financial struggles for his own benefit.
He told me everything with guilt in his voice. Since I'm the reason behind it, I wanted to explain everything to you."
Evelyn sighed. "Liam, why would I think of Ethan as a bad person? I accepted his proposal for my own reasons, too.
He didn't force me into this—I agreed willingly because I needed financial help for my brother's surgery.
He doesn't even realize how much his help meant to me. And honestly, I don't know how to explain it to him.
The only thing I feel guilty about is pretending in front of his parents."
Liam chuckled softly. "Don't worry—I've already made a decision to end this soon.
But before I go, I need to ask—why don't you two love each other for real?"
Evelyn's breath hitched.
"I feel something between you two," Liam continued. "That's why this arrangement happened in the first place.
Think about it."
He paused briefly before adding, "And forgive me if I've said anything out of line. Bye, Evelyn. We'll talk later."
Liam ended the call, leaving Evelyn deep in thought.
She returned to her work, but Liam's words lingered in her mind.
---
### **Will Evelyn and Ethan See What's Happening Between Them?**
Liam had planted a seed of doubt—and possibly realization.
Would Evelyn begin to recognize her own feelings?
Would Ethan?
Or would their contract keep them from seeing the truth right in front of them?
---
### **Isla's Firm Stand on Her Future**
At Isla's house, her mother approached her with a familiar concern.
"Is Ethan truly love someone?" she asked, her tone expectant.
Isla sighed. "Yes, Mom, it's real, just as he said. But I have my doubts about him."
She paused briefly before continuing, "Anyway, I'm not accepting your decision about my engagement with him. We don't feel that way about each other—we've decided to remain friends only."
Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Alright, then. I suppose I'll need to find another suitable boy for you."
Isla shook her head in frustration. "Mom, do you have no other work besides matchmaking? Please give me some time. Right now, I'm not ready for marriage—I need to focus on growing my company."
Her mother sighed and turned to her husband, who was sitting nearby, quietly watching their exchange.
"Dear, did you hear what your lovely daughter just said?" she asked, exasperated.
Isla's father chuckled. "Mm, don't force her. When the time is right, she'll marry. Until then, I'll always be on her side."
Her mother threw up her hands in defeat. "Fine! You and your daughter do as you please. Just don't come to me for marriage talk in the future!"
Isla and her father exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter at her reaction.
---
### **Will Isla's Decision Hold?**
Despite her mother's insistence, Isla was firm in her stance.
Would this discussion end here, or would new challenges arise that could make her rethink her priorities?
---
### **A Tense Conversation in the Parking Lot**
As Ethan prepared to leave the office, he noticed Evelyn approaching the parking lot.
"Evelyn, are you heading home?" he asked. "May I drop you off?"
Evelyn hesitated for a moment before getting into the car.
As they started driving, she spoke. "Sir, your friend Liam called me today—through the company number."
Ethan's posture stiffened slightly. "Liam? Why? When did he call you?"
Evelyn noticed the nervousness in his tone but kept her expression neutral.
"It wasn't anything important, sir," she replied calmly. "He wanted to speak with you, but I told him you were busy. He said he'd call later."
Ethan exhaled, visibly relaxing. "If he calls again, just tell him I'll call him later and end the conversation."
Evelyn nodded, thinking to herself as she responded, "Mm… okay, sir."
Though the conversation ended, Ethan's reaction lingered in Evelyn's mind. *Why did he seem so tense when I mentioned Liam's call?*
---
### **What's Behind Ethan's Nervousness?**
Liam had clearly reached out for a reason.
Was there something about their past—about the contract—that Ethan didn't want Evelyn to know?
Would Evelyn uncover the truth soon?
---
Endless love continues...