Despite his overwhelming anxiety, he had to ask, "How are you going to thank him for this?"

Emily hadn't expected this to be the root of his distress at all.

However, she completely understood where he was coming from. If there were a female equivalent of Andrew lurking around Tristan, she'd be furious.

There was no denying Andrew had gone above and beyond this time. He was still in the operating room. She owed him her life, and she absolutely needed to express her gratitude.

The problem was, she had no idea how to go about it. The man had practically everything; he lacked absolutely nothing.

She was completely honest with him, offering a soothing pat to his arm. "Don't stress over it. I know where to draw the line. What you're worried about isn't going to happen."

Tristan looked up at her, his lips parting. For a split second, he was on the verge of asking about the ring Andrew had mentioned.

But after a moment of hesitation, cowardice won out. He swallowed the question.

"You might know where the line is, but he doesn't," Tristan countered bitterly.

He rested his forehead against her shoulder again, keeping the burning jealousy in his eyes hidden from view. "Knowing him, what if he leverages this to ask for something completely out of line?"

And what if... what if you say yes?

Just entertaining the possibility felt like a boulder crushing his chest, making it hard to breathe.

Of course, he didn't voice that particular fear.

Saying something like that would instantly breed resentment between them. That kind of crack in a relationship didn't just disappear; it grew and splintered until the foundation completely crumbled.

Emily continued to stroke his shoulder, acutely aware of his insecurity.

"He can ask for whatever he wants, but that doesn't mean I have to say yes. You need to trust me. If he crosses the line, I'll shut him down immediately. You have my word."

He remained silent, his lips pressed tight.

Wanting to lighten the mood, Emily teased, "Even if this demands a lifelong

commitment to my savior..."

She paused dramatically.

Tristan's body visibly tensed, and his head snapped up as he waited for the rest of her sentence.

Emily couldn't hold back a laugh. "Even if I had to give myself to the man who rescued me, I've got you. don'DI? You saved me too. Andrew wouldn't even be first in line."

His eyes immediately lit up, a brilliant glimmer returning to his gaze.

"Then I want you to be mine for the rest of your life."

She smiled softly and poked him in the forehead. "I'm already your girlfriend. What more do you want?"

Tristan leaned in, his tone suddenly urgent. "That's not enough."

Amused, she raised an eyebrow. "What else is there?"

His mind was solely fixated on the damned ring Andrew had bragged about.

If he was the one who slipped a ring onto her finger, Andrew wouldn't stand a chance.

His breathing quickened. "Girlfriend isn't enough."

Emily looked at him affectionately. "Alright then, tell me. How do you want me to repay my hero?"

Once a thought took root, it was practically impossible to weed out.

Tristan suddenly shot up from the bed, leaving Emily utterly confused. "What are you doing?"

He gripped her shoulders tight, the urgency practically vibrating off him. "Wait right here. I'll be back in a second."

With that, he made a beeline for the

door, completely disregarding the array of bruises, smeared

colorf

pintment, and assorted injuries plastering his body.

Yet, even battered and bruised, Tristan was undeniably gorgeous The cuts and scrapes only added a

rugged, reckless edge to e

his o mcredibly handsome face.