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Cosmo wasn’t really interested in the details of Eloise and Chloe’s conversation. But it was obvious he felt a little uneasy, as if worried that Eloise might have confronted Chloe, especially since Eloise herself was the one who suggested meeting.

“You’re only telling me this now. Does that mean you wouldn’t have said anything if I hadn’t asked?” Cosmo quickly replied, catching her intention right away.

During the past few months of filming together, Eloise often mentioned Chloe. At first, it sounded like casual talk, but later on, it was clear she was trying to read his reactions.

When rumors about him and Chloe spread, Cosmo expected Eloise to bring it up. But not once did she ask. After that, things between them seemed colder for a few weeks.

Now that Eloise was the one who opened up and told him, it only meant she cared. And more than that, she was ready to face Chloe, despite who Chloe was in his past.

“You used to pursue Miss Baylon, and she rejected you so many times. Do you know why?” Eloise asked, calm and direct.

“I do,” Cosmo replied without hesitation. No one knew Chloe better than him, and he understood why she had pulled away.

“So now that she’s trying to come back… not even a little tempted?” Eloise asked, half-teasing, half-curious.

“No,” Cosmo answered firmly. “That’s over. And once something is over, it shouldn’t be revisited.”

Eloise’s hunch was right. Cosmo had no intention of going back to Chloe. But the real question was, how deeply did he love Eloise for him to stand so firmly by that choice?

For most women, the first question is, “Do you love me?” But later, what matters more is, “How much do you love me?”

“Miss Baylon is a smart woman. I think after our conversation, she won’t try this again,” Eloise said.

“So sure?” Cosmo smiled. “Seems like you have more influence over her than I do.”

“Sometimes it’s easier for a woman to dissuade another woman,” Eloise replied with a smile of her own.

Yes, she and Chloe may have looked alike and both carried a quiet demeanor, but they were different when it came to resolve. Chloe only came back because she didn’t want to live with regret. Now that Cosmo had turned her down, she certainly wouldn’t return.

Sasha had gotten used to Eloise being by her side in everything, from meals, to routines, to sleep. So when she learned she was about to be replaced by another assistant, she couldn’t help but feel sad.

“I mean, I get it. You’re married, of course you don’t want to be apart. But this is so sudden, so quick!” Sasha complained. “Whose idea was this?”

If it came from Eloise, Sasha would feel their friendship was being brushed aside. But if it was from Cosmo, it meant he valued Eloise and didn’t want her to be alone. Those were two very different things.

Eloise immediately understood her point, so she quickly gave an excuse. “It was Cosmo’s. Mrs. Dominguez even said we haven’t been together for a while, and that it might affect our relationship, especially if we want to have a baby someday.”

“Wow, you’re really lucky with your husband. Don’t forget me, okay? I’m still your sweet big-sis best friend!” Sasha teased, though there was a trace of sadness in her voice.

“Of course not. Anything good that happens, you’ll be the first person I think of,” Eloise answered sincerely.

The new assistant Cosmo sent was only a little older than them, but clearly experienced, organized, reliable, and efficient. Eloise felt comfortable leaving Sasha in her care. That same night, she flew back to Tagaytay.

The air in Tagaytay was much cooler than in Bicol. The moment she stepped off the plane, a chill hit her, and she hurried to wrap her coat tightly around her body, almost hiding her nose and mouth behind her scarf.

This time, unlike before, Cosmo personally came to fetch her at the airport. It was clear he had been eager to see her.

“Actually, you didn’t have to come. You could’ve just sent the driver,” Eloise said, touched yet worried about her husband’s health.

“I was just in the car. I’m not tired,” Cosmo replied, gently warming her hands in his as he gazed at her.

They spoke every day, but meeting face-to-face was different. The touch, the look, the presence, it all felt different.

Eloise didn’t put up any resistance. He was her husband, after all. Of course it was natural for him to pick her up.

On the drive home, they chatted about the food and sights in Bicol. When they arrived, a delicious dinner prepared by Teresa was already waiting for them.

It had been a while since Eloise last tasted Teresa’s cooking, so she finished half a bowl of rice and a whole bowl of hot soup.

The air outside was still cold, so instead of going out, she and Cosmo only took two short rounds around the garden after dinner.

Back in their room, Eloise called Sasha and they chatted for about ten minutes. Afterward, she helped Cosmo get ready for bed.

Even in their bedroom, Cosmo was playful and easygoing, lazy at times, but cheerful, often breaking into laughter.

After almost two hours of tender moments, Eloise was so tired that she no longer moved from the bed. Wrapped beneath the soft, warm blanket, embraced by the man she loved, she felt safe and comfortable.

“Will you come with me to the office tomorrow?” Cosmo asked as he gently brushed his fingers against hers.

“Why should I go with you to the office?” Eloise replied, her voice soft, tinged with affection and innocence, like that of a young maiden.

“So you won’t get bored at home. You don’t need to do anything. Just being there with me will keep me from getting restless,” he explained.

Eloise laughed. “That makes no difference. I’d still be bored, whether at home or in your office.”

Cosmo looked at her seriously. “It’s not the same. If you’re at home, I won’t see you. But if you’re at the office, I’ll see you all the time.”

Their eyes met. Eloise felt the tenderness and depth in his gaze. She blushed a little and teased, “Are you being clingy? That’s not like you.”

Cosmo smiled and kissed her. “So, will you come?”

Eloise dodged playfully and answered, “No. I’d rather rest at home.”

Now that Sasha had a replacement, Eloise had more freedom and other things to do. If she spent all her time in Cosmo’s office, people might start thinking she couldn’t be apart from him.

Cosmo sighed and smiled. “Alright, I won’t force you.”

He switched off the light, lay down beside her, and pulled her close. “Let’s sleep.”

Eloise was truly exhausted. She replied faintly and quickly drifted off in his arms.

The next day, after dropping Cosmo at the office, Eloise stopped by her old apartment to gather some things she wanted to bring to their home.

By the afternoon, Tania called and invited her out. Once Eloise had finished packing, she headed to a well-known restaurant famous for its afternoon tea.

When she arrived, she found Tania with several wealthy ladies. Tania introduced her one by one, openly mentioning her connection with Cosmo.

Now that her marriage with Cosmo was public, Eloise no longer had to hide. She greeted them politely, smiling as she took the seat beside Tania.

“At first, I thought it was just gossip, but it turns out to be true, Cosmo really got married. And there wasn’t a single word or rumor before it happened,” one of the women commented.

“Exactly! He's a Dominguez, and yet he suddenly marries without a grand wedding?” another one added.

Tania’s expression didn’t change. She remained smiling, her voice calm. “Cosmo simply doesn’t like too much fuss. And as his mother, his happiness matters to me more than publicity. I don’t want to make things difficult for him by forcing what he doesn’t want.”

“So Cosmo himself chose Eloise?” the first lady asked, clearly surprised.

Tania smiled knowingly. “Of course. What else? Do you think I forced him? I know my son, he makes his own decisions. I could never push him into something he didn’t want.”

The woman nodded slowly, though her eyes still studied Eloise with curiosity. “I’ve heard of the Lopez family. But when did Cosmo and this young lady become close? How did their relationship start?”

Eloise only smiled quietly, unfazed by the probing look.

“They were schoolmates at the university,” Tania answered smoothly, prepared for the question. “And Eloise was one of the well-known ‘gifted students.’ She was accepted into Tagaytay University at a very young age.”