Abby smiled warmly. "Sister, stop teasing me. Evan doesn't eat spicy food-eating that many peppers at once could kill him. I'm heading back to work today. I can't stay at the hospital every day to take care of him. Just because he ate peppers once doesn't mean I'm

going to give in to him."

Adalee nodded in agreement. "That's right. Don't let Evan use this situation to win you over."

"Sister, he didn't plan this to manipulate me. He genuinely got sick from eating peppers-fever, cough, sore throat-the works. His voice is still hoarse." Despite herself, Abby couldn't help defending Evan.

Adalee sighed. "Look at you. I barely say anything about him, and you're already protecting him. Abby, remember this: in love, the person who falls first loses. Listen to me before Evan truly loves the real you, don't give too much of yourself. Don't let him control the dynamic. You're so strong in every other aspect of your life, yet you melt the moment it comes to Evan."

Abby stuck out her tongue sheepishly. "I get it, Sister. I'll control my emotions and make sure Evan doesn't think I'm falling deeper than he is."

Adalee gently tapped Abby's forehead. "I don't quite believe you. Thankfully, Evan loves you, and the York family has a solid reputation. I doubt he'd stray from their values. But no matter what, you must love yourself first. Give him 50 or 60 percent of your love-never all of it. You need to train your man. All the great men out there? Their partners trained them."

Adalee spoke from experience. Her fiancé had been a playboy, but after falling for her, he gradually changed into the devoted man he was today. She had shaped him into someone reliable.

I aren't even at that stage yet. When we are, I'll handle it. But honestly, I like him the way he is his personality, his commitment. He's already the kind of man who loves with his whole heart. I don't

for who he was now. Changing him

smiled knowingly. "Only you two know how your relationship works. Whether or not you need to change anything is up to

Adalee tightly.

gently pushed

for you. Who else would! treat this

takes

Now, go run a couple

freezing out here."

cold air bit at their skin, but running helped.

ways and returned to their

deliver a meal to Evan before heading to the office. Her workday

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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