17.His final talk and Her endless yapping
Eva sits beside him, silent.
She didn’t ask where they were going. He didn’t explain. But somehow—it didn’t feel strange.
The hum of the engine fades as he switches it off.
Neil sits back, his knuckles tight on the steering wheel for a second before he glances sideways at her.
Neil (quietly):
“You didn’t eat the sandwich.”
Eva (without looking at him):
“You didn’t explain why you’re asking me to marry you.”
A long pause. The air is heavy, but not suffocating. Just… uncertain.
Neil sighs.
Neil:
“There are things I can’t talk about yet. Things I’m protecting.”
Eva (soft, but firm):
“And you want me to step into those shadows with you. Blindfolded.”
Neil:
“I want you to trust me.”
She finally turns to him. Eyes locked.
"Wow, you want people to trust you but you ain't trust people.It won't work this way Dr.Morris"
He muted himself after a valid question.
Eva:
“You barely let anyone close. You never even told me where you live. You boss me around at work. And suddenly I’m the person you trust for this?”
Eva (gently):
“You showed up for Ria when I couldn’t. You didn't owe her—or me—anything. But you did.
Thanks for everything but this is huge,I don't know. How can I marry a guy just because he helped me to bring my sister back home.”
Eva swallows hard, her grip tightening.
Neil: "Fake marriage Eva!"
Neil (after a pause):
“I don’t expect you to agree tonight. I know it’s unfair. But I can’t ask anyone else. And I didn’t want to manipulate you with the full truth… because I want this to be your decision. Not guilt. Not obligation.”
Eva (barely above a whisper):
“What if I say no?”
Neil doesn’t flinch. Just turns his gaze forward, to the lake.
Neil:
“Then I’ll figure something else out. I won’t hold it against you.”
Another pause.
The wind rustles through the trees, distant and low.
Eva sighs and leans back in the seat.
Eva:
“Are you always this calm when you’re asking someone to fake-marry you?”
Neil (glances at her, a tiny smirk):
“Only when I think they might say yes.”
Her lips twitch—almost a smile.
Eva:
“You’re impossible.”
Neil:
“I’m patient.”
The moment hangs in the air—neither of them breaking it.
A gentle breeze brushes Eva’s hair into her face. She tucks it back.
Neil (tentative):
“So… that’s a yes?”
Eva (glancing sideways):
“I didn’t say that.”
He nods once. Trying to play it cool. But he doesn’t know what to say next.
How do you ask a woman—one as alive and warm as her—to marry in the most unromantic, necessary way... and still make her feel chosen?
He never did this before. Not with anyone.
Neil Morris, top surgeon. Calm under pressure. Brilliant with a scalpel. Terrible with feelings.
His brows knit, frustrated by his own tongue-tied silence.
That’s when his mind, unbidden, flickers to the one woman who never made him feel he had to say too much—
His mother.
FLASHBACK – MORRIS MANSION – KITCHEN – EVENING – YEARS AGO
14-year-old Neil sits on the kitchen stool, scowling down at a homemade "promposal" card. It's crooked. Awkward. Just like him back then.
Neil (mumbling):
“She’s not going to say yes, Mom.”
Mrs. Morris, graceful and glowing in a soft ivory sweater, turns from the stove with a warm smile. She wipes her hands and moves to sit beside him.
Mrs. Morris:
“Why not?”
Neil (still scowling):
“I’m boring. I talk about books and biology. She likes... baseball and hair glitter.”
She laughs—that melodic, soothing sound that always made everything better.
Mrs. Morris:
“Oh, sweetheart. Impressing a girl is super easy.”
Neil (rolling eyes):
“Yeah, sure. For guys who can talk.”
She gently places her hand on his cheek, turning his face toward hers.
Mrs. Morris (softly):
“No. Not by talking. Not with flowers or glitter either.”
She brushes a stray lock of hair from his forehead.
Mrs. Morris:
“You want to win a girl’s heart?”
“Respect her. Admire her. Accept her, completely, the way she is.”
Neil listens. Really listens. She leans closer.
Mrs. Morris (smiling):
“Do what she likes—not because you’re supposed to, but because her happiness makes you happy. Make her feel safe when she is with you ”
Young Neil (quiet):
“What if I mess it up?”
Mrs. Morris:
“You will.”
(gently taps his chest)
“But if you love her from here... she’ll know.”
Young neil(confused): "But it's just prom"
Mrs.morris laughed "yes it is."
She kisses the crown of his head. The room smells of vanilla.cookies.Love.
Neil (softly):
“You like watching sunsets?”
Eva (glancing at him, surprised):
“Yeah. I like how they feel… slow. Gentle. Like nothing’s rushed.”
He nods.
After a pause, he adds:
Neil:
“Then we’ll take more walks like this. You and me.”
Eva stops walking, brows raised.
Eva:
“You’re planning our future already?”
Neil (awkward):
“No—I mean—not like—just saying… if it’s a yes. Hypothetically.”
Eva (smirking):
“You’re really bad at this, aren’t you?”
He chuckles. That rare, quiet sound that makes her glance at him with faint surprise.
Neil:
“I told you. I don’t know how to convince someone to marry me. Only woman I’ve ever tried to impress was my mom.”
He’s quiet for a second, eyes on the horizon.
Neil (softly):
“She passed away five years ago.”
Eva turns to him. Guilt flickers in her chest.
Eva (gently):
“I’m sorry.”
Neil (nodding):
“She was… everything. Gentle. Strong. She once told me... if I ever liked a girl, I should just make her happy. Respect her. Admire her. Accept her.”
He looks at Eva now. Really looks.
Neil (quiet):
“You’re not easy to ignore, Eva Walter. You walk in with sunshine, mess up my schedule, stain your coat with ketchup, yap at me like I’m your personal machine—and somehow I’m still here, asking you to marry me.”
Eva stares at him, lips parted. She’s never heard him talk like this.
Eva (blinking):
“You’re... being kind of romantic right now.”
Neil:
“God, don’t tell anyone. Especially Ryle.”
She bursts out laughing, and Neil smiles—a real, unguarded smile—as the lake behind them reflects the last blush of sunlight.
He stepped closer, just enough to soften his voice.
Neil:
“I’m not good at this. I don’t know how to ask… the right way.
But I’ll respect you. I’ll make sure you don’t regret it.
Just say yes, Eva. Even if you don’t say it.”
Eva blinked up at him.
The golden rays caught in her lashes. She stared at him for a long moment.
Eva (softly, looking away):
“You better not mess this up, Dr. Morris.
Because I will be your worst mistake if you do.”
He smiled—this time fully.
Neil (relieved): “That sounded a lot like a yes.”
Eva (half-shrugging, pretending to sip her coffee):
“Maybe.”
Eva looks at Neil, brow furrowed in thought, emotions swirling beneath her calm exterior.
Eva (half talking to herself):
“I don’t know... I’d have to convince Ria, my grandparents...my friends”
She suddenly turns to him, realization dawning.
Eva (sharper):
“Wait. You don’t even know my family. And I don’t know yours. How are we supposed to pull this off?”
Neil had a smile this time, she literally said yes without saying it.
Neil doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reaches into the glovebox and pulls out a small notepad, flipping it open. Pages filled with scribbles, timelines, and facts.
Neil (deadpan):
“I know your full name, your family background, where your grandparents live, where you studied, your favorite biscuit flavor,foods and that you only take your coffee two ways—iced or when someone else makes it.”
Eva blinks, stunned.
Eva:
“You’ve been stalking me?”
Neil (dry):
“Researching. Big difference.”
Eva (sarcastic):
“Oh right. Romantic.”
He smirks, eyes never leaving hers.
Neil:
“You think I’d walk into something like this unprepared?”
Eva: "That's not even ten percent of me."
She rolls her eyes but can’t fight the slight tug at the corner of her mouth.
Neil:" Eventually I will understand more."
Eva (quietly, thinking out loud):
“This is ridiculous.”
Neil:
“Yep.”
Eva:
“And reckless.”
Neil:
“Absolutely.”
Eva (finally meeting his gaze):
“Do you even have a plan?”
Neil: "so that's a yes."
His smile went wider showing his dimples again.
Eva: "Oh god this man! PLAN?"
She is in frustration.
Neil (nods):
“Timeline, fake photos, marriage certificate, a background story of how we fell in love, and three cover-ups in case anyone questions it.”
Eva stares.
Eva:
“God, you’re serious.”
Neil (earnest now):
“Dead serious. I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t important.”
Eva (voice small):
“I’m going to have to lie to everyone I love…”
Neil:
“So will I.”
Another pause. And then, softer:
Neil:
“But I’ll protect you. Every step of it.”
Her lips part slightly, breath catching—because for a moment, it didn’t feel fake at all.
Eva (rambling fast):
“Okay, wait—are we having a wedding or just faking one with pictures? Because I’m not doing some gown shopping madness last minute. And what about our friends—like, Lexi and trent? They’ll know. Lexi knows me too well.”
Neil (calmly):
“There’s no real wedding. Just documents. And a few pictures to keep up appearances.”
Eva:
“Where are we living? Separate places? Please say separate. Oh my god, do I have to move in with you? What about Ria? I have tell her first. She is definitely going to kill me And what’s the story—how did we fall in love? Do we need a meet-cute?”
Neil (raising an eyebrow):
“A meet-cute?”
Eva (deadpan):
“Yeah, how we met. These things matter, Neil. What if someone asks? We can't just say 'uh hospital lift’ and call it romantic!”
Neil is just... staring at her now. Watching how animated she is—eyes wide, hands flailing with every question, heart in the right place but absolutely chaotic in delivery.
Eva (still going):
“And wait—who cooks? Do I have to cook? Because no offense but I’m not going to burn toast just to impress your invisible family.
And also, holidays! What if there’s a family gathering?
Do we do matching sweaters? What’s your favorite color—ugh, why don’t I know that? God, this is a mess—”
She pauses finally, catching her breath.
Neil is still staring. To be Frank Admiring.
But now with this soft, almost amused smile.
Like he’s watching a storm he didn’t realize would be so... cute.
Neil (murmuring to himself):
“God. She’s just...”
He exhales through a laugh, leaning his head back.
Neil (half to himself):
“I really have to survive a whole year of this.”
Eva narrows her eyes.
Eva (suspicious):
“What was that?”
Neil (smirking):
“Nothing. Just... mentally preparing myself for the chaos I willingly invited.”
Eva (with fake offense):
“Excuse you. You should be honored. I’m an amazing fake wife.”
Neil:
“Oh, I’m starting to see that. Loud and clear.”
Eva:
“You should thank me instead.”
Neil can’t help but laugh now, that low, rare chuckle.
He looks over at her again. This time, something softer in his gaze.
Something that wasn’t part of the plan.
And in no longer time the car reached Eva's home.
The car slowed to a gentle stop in front of the Walter sisters’ cozy little house. The warm porch light spilled onto the narrow path lined with overgrown potted plants. Neil cut the engine, turning slightly to look at her.
He raised a hand casually in goodbye, the corners of his lips curling.
Neil (smirking):
“Bye, future wife.”
Eva paused mid-step, then turned with a scoff and an amused smile.
Eva (rolling her eyes):
“Bye, fake future husband.”
She walked a few steps away… but then spun around, jogging back to the car with urgency, tapping at the rolled-up window like a sudden emergency had struck.
Neil rolled the window down slowly, amused.
Neil: “Forget something?”
Eva (rushing her words):
“Yes! I forgot to tell you—there’s a long list of conditions. Very long. Non-negotiable. Mandatory.”
Neil (leaning an elbow on the door, eyebrows raised):
“Okay.”
Eva (frowning):
“I can’t remember them all right now. I’ll… I’ll write them down.”
Neil (deadpan, without missing a beat):
“Sure. Write down your list, make it a contract, and I’ll sign it.”
His voice was calm and steady. No stutters. No uncertainty.
It wasn’t just what he said—it was how he said it.
It didn’t sound like the man who, just an hour ago, couldn’t figure out how to ask a woman to marry him. It sounded like someone who had made up his mind. Who knew what he wanted.
Eva caught that.
She saw the quiet strength in his eyes.
And it made her chest flutter.
Where was this confidence when you were awkwardly circling around the proposal? she thought, blinking.
He smirked as if he read her mind.
Neil:
“Goodnight, Eva.”
She gave him a look—half warning, half curious amusement.
Eva (teasingly a warning):
“Don't think you're off the hook. That list is coming. And I have handwriting like a serial killer.”
Neil (with his famous soft smile):
“Looking forward to decoding it.”
She rolled her eyes and turned back toward her door. But the smile that tugged at her lips stayed long after the car had driven off.
Inside the house, Ria peeked from behind the curtain, raising a brow.
Ria:
“Who was that?”
Eva (walking past with a blush):
“A headache.”
Ria: "Then it's Dr. Mechine."
Eva(in almost a frightened way) :
"And I have something to tell you"