Did I offend you in any way

Eveline came home after Tiffany denied gaslighting her in front of Gabriel. Despite her lack of confidence in herself, she felt compelled to inform her "friend" that she was keeping an eye on her and everything she tried to accomplish behind her back.

Though Eveline made an effort to keep Tiffany on her toes and discourage her from considering using her cunning tricks to ruin her life, she did not mind if Tiffany became suspicious of her comment.

"Young Miss, your orange juice!" Eveline was startled out of her reverie when Susan's voice interrupted her from across the bed.

Eveline, unaware that she had not changed, had been lying on the bed, exhausted, for a while, pondering her thoughts before quickly rising to sit.

Susan kept a close eye on Eveline without speaking, and then she asked,

"Young Miss, are you certain nothing is wrong with you? Should I contact the doctor, in your opinion?"

Eveline blinked in confusion as she turned her head toward Susan.

Susan served as Eveline's nanny after her mother died, but she was also a mother figure. She could tell when Eveline was unhappy or ill, and she had a feeling something was wrong with her little Miss since the morning.

Eveline was so preoccupied with everything that had changed overnight that she overlooked Susan's concern.

Susan had cared for her since she was a child, listening to her thoughts and offering advice—just like a mother would. However, everything changed when Eveline married Gabriel. 

Susan quit her job and left without saying a word. It surprised Eveline, but she kept wondering where Susan had gone, and she never decided to contact her again.

Eveline took a deep breath and dismissed all of her worries before smiling and saying, "Susan, I am fine. I never lied when I said I was afraid of a nightmare," she assures. 

Eveline did not want people to be suspicious of her. So she tried to ensure that everything was fine and that she could continue living her life as usual.

Susan did not linger on the subject for too long before leaving the room.

****

Eveline undressed and stood under the shower, allowing the cold water to flow from her naked body.

Her heart tightened with each passing second, and memories of her past life obscured her vision. 

There was never a day that Eveline attempted to establish her innocence after she wed Gabriel. But regardless of her efforts, he never trusted her. He gave the impression that he had already come to the conclusion that she was the one who had exploited him to get access to his life. However, he was unaware that evening that even she had been given drugs.

Too quick to judge those who had taken advantage of her generosity, Eveline realized that no one could have predicted her death and slammed her hand angrily against the marble wall.

Being killed by her friend and husband was an even worse nightmare. But she would never let anyone step on her again, now that she was back to make up for her mistake.

Eveline quickly showered, changed, and left the bathroom. She then drank the juice Susan had given her earlier and decided to nap.

Eveline had lived through the events that had changed her life so drastically. She therefore took care to avoid going through the same thing that would lead someone to take advantage of her.

With that thought, she closed her eyes and let the sleep succumb to her tired mind.

****

Gabriel returned home after an unsatisfactory day. But before he could enter his room, Belle, his mother, stopped him.

"You have returned."

Belle Winston, in addition to being the head of the Winston family, was instrumental in establishing the Winston Group.

She was not only a loving wife, but also a devoted mother to her sons Gabriel and Daniel.

When Gabriel heard his mother's voice, he stopped in his tracks and looked at her, who motioned for him to come to her.

Gabriel was in no mood to talk, but he was forced to comply with his mother's request and join her on the couch.

"I thought you were supposed to go teach Eveline at the Miller house," Belle explained.

Gabriel's eyes turned cold as he remembered Richard telling him to tutor Eveline at her request. He did not express his rejection at the time, but now he wishes he had.

"Mom, she can hire any tutor for her studies; why should I go teach her? Gabriel expressed his reluctance to see Eveline.

He did not want to see Eveline after how rude she was to him. 

Gabriel's endearing response made Belle laugh. "Yes, she can, but she asked Richard to persuade you," Belle responded. "And you understand that your father cannot refuse her request, so you must go and instruct her, no matter what you say."

Gabriel sighed, wondering why Belle would listen to him when Eveline had his parents firmly under control.

Eveline was the child of Madeline, her closest friend, who died when she was born. Since then, Belle has nurtured and cherished her as if she were her own daughter.

"What are you waiting for, Go get changed. I do not want my daughter to miss her studies." Belle gently pushed Gabriel away, and he sighed before standing up and walking away.

****

Eveline was deep asleep when the nightmare of her death resurfaced in her dreams.

Tiffany pushing her off the balcony and Gabriel's vacant stare were the last things on her mind, keeping her subconsciously awake and causing her to lose her sleep

She gasped as she sat on the bed, followed by a sigh as reality set in.

Eveline believed that everything around her was a mirage and that she had returned to her deathbed. Fortunately, it was just a dream, and nothing had actually changed.

Eveline was preoccupied with organizing her thoughts when she heard a knock on the door and saw Susan enter with some news.

"Young Miss, Young Master Gabriel is waiting for you downstairs," Susan said, causing Eveline to furrow in confusion. But when she remembered her request to Richard, she gaped.

When Eveline expressed her desire to have Gabriel tutor her in her studies, Richard immediately agreed. She hoped that this would help her get to know Gabriel better and gain a better understanding of him. However, Tiffany, another intruder, interrupted her wish when she pleaded with her to allow her to join them because she was also having difficulty understanding some of the chapters.

Eveline's expression darkened as she remembered how Tiffany overshadowed her and began to approach Gabriel. 

"Scoff, how did I not recognize her scheme back then?"

Eveline then asked Susan to bring Gabriel to their study room. 

****

[Downstairs]

"I apologize for causing you any inconvenience, son, but as you are well aware, Eveline ignored my advice to find another tutor." Jonathan said, "I had no idea she would already ask Richard about this"

Gabriel shrugged off his apology with a smile "It is alright, uncle. It would be best if I used this hour to teach Eve as I have nothing else to do."

Jonathan had always admired Gabriel since he was a child. He was not only considerate, but also thoughtful toward Eveline, who was constantly causing him trouble.

Soon Susan joined the two and informed Gabriel about waiting for Eveline in their study room. 

Gabriel quickly excused himself and entered the study, where he discovered Eveline waiting for him.

It wasn't the first time Gabriel visited the Miller House. He spent most of his childhood here with Stefan and Eveline. But after today, he thought it strange to meet Eveline alone in the room.

As soon as Gabriel approached Eveline, she stopped him and said, "I am sorry for the trouble, but you do not have to come here to teach me." 

Gabriel scowled and scoffed in surprise as he heard Eveline's words.

"So, why did you ask my father to convince me to teach you?" he inquired, his tone slightly annoyed.

"It was a mistake, and I do not want to learn anything from you. Therefore, you are not required to come here."

Eveline's scathing remarks enraged Gabriel even more. He could not understand why Eveline was being rude to him, given that she was the one who forced him to come here.

Gabriel took a deep breath to calm down before asking Eve, "Did I offend you in any way? You have been treating me badly since the morning."

Gabriel said what was on his mind.

Eveline had never been this hostile to him before, but her recent behavior had made him wonder if he had done something wrong to deserve such treatment.