Having grown accustomed to Maeve's straightforward nature...
Andres was becoming increasingly repulsed by Nancy's habit of beating around the bush.
"The only reason I came to meet you today is to hear your explanation about the body double."
Nancy lowered her eyelashes, tears welling up as if she were about to cry again.
Before Andres could show his impatience, she finally gave him an answer.
"I used a stand-in because I heard there was another girl in your life."
"At the time, my health hadn't fully recovered."
"I was terrified of losing our connection, so I had her try to win you back for me."
Andres scoffed.
"Do you honestly believe such a pathetic excuse yourself?"
A flash of hurt crossed Nancy's eyes.
"Do you really think I'm lying to you?"
"If the reason were really that simple," Andres retorted, "don't you think that kind of behavior is terrifying?"
"She had the exact same face, the same voice, and even mimicked your tone almost perfectly."
"Not only that, she knew every detail of our past, which means she did her homework before approaching me."
"To go to such extreme lengths just to salvage a missed connection..."
"That's way too elaborate for the Grover family."
"But I did it because you're worth it," Nancy insisted.
Andres wasn't buying a word of it.
"Nancy, I know exactly who you are."
"You're cold, calculated, and you know how to assess any situation. You're the furthest thing from a love-struck fool."
"Otherwise, you wouldn't have backed away so cleanly when your mother wanted an alliance with the Fulton family."
Nancy shook her head.
"That's not what happened. I left back then because of circumstances beyond my control."
Andres held up a hand, cutting off her excuses.
"I'll be the judge of that."
"Besides, love isn't just a simple 'I love you.' It takes time and mutual understanding to get on the same page."
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