Andrew stopped short, turning around to face Shirley. His dark eyes locked onto hers, his tall frame blocking out the rest of the world for that moment.

Shirley kept her head down. Her cheeks were bright red and her hands were shaking a little, her palms slick with cold sweat. She was so nervous it felt like even her heart couldn't keep steady.

"What's... what's wrong?" Andrew's voice was uncertain, a little shaky, too. It was the first time Shirley had ever reached out to hold his hand, and his mind was trying to make sense of it all.

Shirley looked up, meeting his eyes with surprising courage. "My acceptance letter will be here soon. Once it comes, I'm going abroad. At least two years." Her chin trembled but she held his gaze. "While I'm gone... do you think you might fall for someone else?"

They both knew two years was a long time, especially when you were young and life kept changing. Most long-distance relationships didn't make it, and someone like Andrew, who always had girls around him, made it feel even less certain.

"I... I can wait for you," Andrew replied, his heartbeat racing. He stared at her, searching her expression as he asked, "Shirley, what are you really trying to say?"

"I..." Shirley chewed on her lip, trying to push the words out. She'd never said anything this crazy before, and her voice came out so soft he almost didn't catch it. "If you say you'll spend a lifetime chasing me, doesn't it make sense to just... try it, and see where we end up?"

Shirley took a deep breath, squeezing her hands together to stop herself from falling apart. Her voice was low and shaky. “Let's just try. See if... see if it works."

Andrew's eyes widened. Afraid he'd heard her wrong, he was suddenly right at her side, gripping her shoulders, bursting with nervous energy. “Shirley, did you just say... you want us to try?"

She nodded, barely managing to meet his eyes again. "I don't know what will happen. But like you said, we have to try, or we'll never know. If there ever comes a day where you don't like me anymore, just tell me. That's all I ask. Please don't just start acting weird or avoiding me. If it comes to that, I'll be the one to let go."

"I won't." A huge grin split Andrew's face. He pulled her gently into his arms, his voice rough and low. “I could never stop liking you.”

Pressed against the warmth of his chest, Shirley slowly reached up to tug at his sleeve, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Then... let's give it a try."

"I promise, you won't regret this." Andrew held her tight, so full of happiness he almost felt like his heart couldn't hold it all.

From this moment, Shirley was his girlfriend. And one day, he hoped she'd be his wife.

Neither of them realized they were being watched. Dorothy stood just outside the door, catching every word and taking in the entire sweet moment.

Dorothy's hands balled up, her nails digging into her palms. Her perfect makeup did nothing to hide the storm brewing under her skin, her eyes sharp and icy as she stared at Shirley.

So that's her game? Playing innocent, then swooping in the second her guard drops.

Dorothy nearly laughed, but it came

out cold and silent. First Patricia, now Andrew? Clearly, Shirley had been planning this all along. Become the girfriend, then reach right for the

top marry Andrew, move or the

everything Dorothy ever wanted.

With every second, Dorothy's anger only grew.

***

Up at The Blair Estate, on the top floor, Charlotte was jolted awake by the shrill sound of her phone.

Face buried in the blankets, she let out a grumpy little groan and gave Anthony a sleepy kick.

"Just sleep, sweetheart," Anthony

murmured softly. He leaned over to kiss her cheek, pulled the covers back into place around her, then reached for the ringing phone on i nightstand.

on the