Page 32 of The Billionaire’s Betrayal (Billionaires of Paris #2)

TRISTAN

Last night, when Audrey had undressed in front of me, I had been petrified, overwhelmed by desire as violent as it was forbidden.

She had always had the art of inflaming my senses and turning my brain inside out.

In her presence, I felt more alive, rediscovering the intoxicating sensations of first attractions.

The pull she exerted pushed me to contemplate the worst follies.

Near her, I forgot everything: my responsibilities, my goals, and even the promises made to the woman who shared my life.

During a terrible moment of weakness, I had even envisioned a different future where Eva would no longer be part of it.

This thought now chilled me with horror. How could I have even considered it?

It was only when Audrey's hand touched me to undress me that lucidity caught up with me brutally, like a bucket of ice water.

"No," I told her, pushing her away gently but firmly.

My hands trembled slightly as I picked up her dress, handing it to her without looking at her.

The tension in the room was palpable, electric.

I was disconcerted, helpless. I had to both fight my desire and take care not to hurt Audrey.

How do you reject the favors of a woman offering herself to you?

How do you push her away without breaking her?

Then Eva's image imposed itself, stronger than anything.

If I had to choose between hurting one or the other, my choice had been made long ago.

Eva would always be my priority. She had always been, even if my recent actions sometimes suggested otherwise.

I needed to end this ambiguous situation.

I had no choice. I refused to be one of those men who look in the mirror in the morning knowing they're living a lie, who kiss their partner at night while still carrying another's perfume on their skin.

"No," I said firmly, my voice regaining all its assurance. "I'm sorry, Audrey. This will never be an option."

The tension in my shoulders finally released. For the first time since this dangerous attraction had begun, I felt at peace with my decision and proud to have resisted temptation. Deep down, I knew I had just taken a decisive step.

From this episode, I had learned a crucial lesson: I needed to talk to Eva.

Things had gone too far. I had no right to keep silent while another woman was trying to seduce me.

True, I had pushed Audrey away, but not before yielding to a certain attraction.

All these small betrayals accumulated had tainted my relationship with Eva.

She deserved my honesty, my confessions.

Without that, the lies would continue to rot our relationship from the inside.

Eva deserved the truth, even if she would hate me for it. The idea that she might leave me terrified me, but keeping her in the dark any longer would be cowardly and unworthy of what we had built together.

I knew I was taking an enormous risk by talking to her, but delaying this moment would only hurt her more.

The thought that Eva would have her heart broken upon learning of my repeated betrayals tied my stomach in knots.

She didn't deserve the pain I was about to inflict.

But it was time I tried to become the man she deserved.