Jimmy's POV
"Why would you assume I can't refuse her?" I asked, my voice steady and resolute. "Eve, I'm not some naive kid anymore. I understand the distinction between gratitude and love perfectly well.
"Yes, I'm grateful to her. Truth is, everyone in my life has always had an agenda when it comes to me.
Dad used me as leverage against Mom, and Grandpa only saw me as his ideal Hamilton heir.
"But this girl? She wanted absolutely nothing from me.
She rescued me simply because she chose to help."
I glanced at Evelin before continuing, "Meeting you only deepened my appreciation for what she did.
Without her intervention, I would've died that day.
"I never would've had the opportunity to meet you, or understood how profound love could actually be."
"However..." I paused, then spoke each word deliberately, emphasizing my determination, "Beyond gratitude, I'll never develop any other emotions for her, despite her saving my life.
