Eurydice stood in the middle of the nursery disaster zone, hands on her hips, glaring at the culprit.
Conrad Montague, business tycoon, infuriating fake fiancé, and now—paint-covered menace.
His once-immaculate dress shirt was ruined—streaks of blue, yellow, and pink decorated the expensive fabric like a chaotic masterpiece. His smug smirk made it clear that he had no regrets.
Eurydice, on the other hand?
She was covered from head to toe.
Her shirt was a disaster. Her arms bore battle scars of pastel colors. And worst of all?
There was still a perfect dot of blue paint on the tip of her nose.
She wiped it off aggressively.
“I cannot believe you invaded my workplace,” she grumbled, throwing a rag at him.
Conrad caught it effortlessly. “I made it better.”
“You ruined a perfectly peaceful work session!”
“I made it more exciting.”
Eurydice let out an exasperated groan. “How do people work with you? You’re insufferable.”
Conrad tilted his head slightly. “And yet, you’re still here.”
Eurydice froze for half a second.
Then she scowled, turning her back to him.
“I am choosing to ignore that.”
She picked up a fresh brush, returning her focus to the unfinished section of the mural.
Conrad leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “So… how much longer?”
Eurydice gave him a look. “If you’re asking so you can interrupt me again, you can leave.”
He smirked. “Tempting. But no. Just curious.”
She sighed, focusing back on her work.
“Shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.”
Conrad hummed, watching her movements carefully. “And then?”
Eurydice, still painting, didn’t catch the weight in his voice.
“And then I get paid, go home, and enjoy a peaceful evening without any disturbances from a certain arrogant businessman.”
Conrad made a mock-offended sound.
“That’s hurtful, Santiago.”
She snorted. “You’ll live.”
For a while, he was quiet.
Which was weird.
Conrad was never quiet.
Eurydice tried to focus on the delicate brushstrokes—the way the shades blended perfectly, the soft glow of the sunset hitting the wall just right.
But she could feel his eyes on her.
Studying. Watching.
Like she was something worth paying attention to.
She swallowed, trying to push the thought away.
After a few more minutes of unsettling silence, she sighed.
“Okay,” she muttered. “What?”
Conrad blinked. “What?”
“You’re staring.”
He didn’t even try to deny it.
“Just wondering how you do that.”
Eurydice frowned, pausing mid-brushstroke. “Do what?”
He nodded toward the mural. “That.”
Eurydice glanced at the painting—a dreamy landscape of clouds, stars, and glowing little creatures nestled among the trees.
She hesitated.
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “It’s just… natural. When I paint, I don’t really think. It just happens.”
Conrad studied her for a moment, then smirked. “So, you do have a talent.”
Eurydice rolled her eyes. “Of course I have a talent. What do you think I do, doodle in the margins for fun?”
“Honestly?” Conrad tilted his head, eyes glinting. “I thought you just liked getting paint everywhere.”
Eurydice huffed. “Wow. So rude.”
“You literally flung paint at me first.”
“Because you deserved it.”
Conrad chuckled, shaking his head. “Keep telling yourself that.”
Eurydice narrowed her eyes at him, but for some reason, she wasn’t as annoyed as she wanted to be.
An hour later, Eurydice finally put her brush down.
Done.
She stepped back, wiping her forehead with her wrist as she admired her work.
The nursery was complete—a masterpiece of soft colors and dreamlike scenery.
Just as she was taking a breath, her phone vibrated.
Lana: I’m on my way back! Can’t wait to see it! Ethan’s picking up dinner, so we should be there in 30!
Eurydice smiled, typing back a quick confirmation.
She turned to Conrad. “You should go before the clients get here.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Kicking me out already?”
“Yes.”
Conrad smirked. “You wound me.”
Eurydice placed a hand on her hip. “If you want to stay and have an adorable conversation about nurseries, be my guest.”
His smirk faltered just slightly.
“Pass.”
Eurydice grinned victoriously. “That’s what I thought.”
Conrad sighed, pushing off the wall.
“Fine,” he muttered, heading toward the door.
Just as he left, the front door opened.
Lana walked in, glowing with excitement, with Ethan following behind.
“Oh my God,” she gasped, taking in the mural.
Eurydice grinned. “You like it?”
Lana rushed forward, eyes wide with awe.
“Like it? I love it! It’s—oh, Ethan, look at this! It’s perfect!”
Ethan, who had been quietly observing, nodded approvingly. “Damn. That’s impressive.”
Lana clasped her hands together. “It’s exactly what I imagined—but even better!”
Eurydice beamed, feeling a deep sense of pride.
“That means a lot. I wanted it to feel warm and magical.”
Lana turned, taking Eurydice’s hands in hers.
“You are incredible. Seriously. I’m telling everyone I know about you.”
Eurydice laughed. “I wouldn’t say no to more commissions.”
Then—
Lana’s gaze shifted past Eurydice, landing on Conrad.
“Oh! Who’s this?” she asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Before Eurydice could stop him, Conrad stepped forward, extending a hand to Ethan.
“Conrad Montague,” he said smoothly. “Fiancé.”
Eurydice almost choked.
Lana’s eyes went comically wide. “Fiancé?!”
Ethan raised a brow. “Montague, huh? As in Montague Industries?”
Conrad simply smiled. “The one and only.”
Lana squealed. “I love this! Eurydice, why didn’t you tell me?!”
Eurydice, still processing the betrayal, forced a smile.
“Oh, you know. Slipped my mind.”
Conrad smirked.
She was going to kill him.