"Aryan, how about we make it real… the marriage?"Evan's words caught Aryan completely off guard.
"What are you saying?" Aryan asked, stunned. He had never imagined replacing Marco with anyone else—not yet, maybe not ever.
"I mean it," Evan said, his tone earnest. "If Marco really goes through with marrying that girl… will you marry me instead?"
Aryan blinked, disbelief clouding his face. "Do you even understand what you're asking?"
"I do," Evan nodded. "I like you—no, I love you. And I'm not saying this on a whim. I know it's not the best time, but if I don't say it now, I might never get the chance. I don't want to regret staying silent."
He took a step closer, his voice lower. "If it helps, use me. Use me to make him jealous or to move on—I don't care. I'll do anything to make you happy. Money, power… whatever you want, it's yours."