Chapter 1

One thing Nova Sterling regretted most in life was falling in love with her uncle. When Nova was ten, she met Ewan Shaw for the first time. Standing tall, he held her orphaned self in his arms and promised to protect her for the rest of his life. When she was bullied in school at 15, it was Ewan who appeared and made her bullies kneel and apologize. When she was 18, Ewan was critically injured during a failed mission. Nova ignored the doctors' warnings and went ahead with donating part of her liver to save him. That was also the day she stole a kiss, only to be caught when he opened his eyes. Instead of the sweetness she'd expected, only shock and distance were found in his gaze. Later, when Ewan's beloved, Wynter Linwood, fell critically ill, Nova was the only compatible kidney donor. The ever-so-cold and aloof Ewan went to Nova and promised that he'd give her anything she wanted if she was willing to donate her kidney. Nova responded with silence as her refusal, and Wynter died on the operating table. Ewan didn't shed a single tear as if nothing had happened. But on the seventh day after Wynter's death, he publicized Nova's diary, which was filled with the secret dreams of a teenage girl. He nailed her to the pillar of shame and branded her as the teenage girl who loved her uncle. On Nova's birthday, Ewan drugged and kidnapped her. When she was assaulted, he stood by indifferently and spat, "I'll never touch you. Don't even think about it. You disgust me." In the end, he poured a basin of cold water over her as she hovered between life and death and brought her back to consciousness. Amid her daze, she saw him approaching with a knife. The knife was raised high as his cold voice rang in her ear. "This is what you owe Wynter." When Nova opened her eyes again, she was back on the day of his kidney donation request. … "Please, I'm begging you. The kidney may mean nothing to you, but Wynter will die without it. "If you agree to donate, I'll do anything to meet your demands." Ewan's desperate voice rang in Nova's ears and snapped her back to reality. She'd been reborn. In Nova's past life, she'd refused him that day and ended up suffering a tragic life worse than death. She'd lost part of her liver for Ewan, and her body could never take the risk of losing another kidney. Yet now, Nova had figured out everything in this new life. She would die anyway if she refused, so she might as well give him the kidney to repay him for taking care of her for 11 years. After that, they'd call it even. With that thought, she clenched her fists and firmly replied, "I'll do it." Ewan's unfinished words caught in his throat, while the doctor standing aside paled. "Are you sure, Ms. Sterling? We don't usually recommend multiple organ donations. It significantly increases surgical risks and might even lead to death." Nova nodded resolutely. Of course, she knew the risks. But to break free from Ewan, it was worth it even if it meant dying. It was only after witnessing her sign the agreement that Ewan relaxed. He'd feared she was lying and was surprised to see her sign so decisively. As the thought crossed his mind, his gaze toward her softened slightly. "Since you've agreed to the donation, I'll keep my promise. Name your price." "I have only one condition—to cut all ties with the Shaws. From this day on, I'm no longer one of you." Ewan frowned at her request. "Are you serious?" He'd assumed she would use the donation as leverage to force him to marry her, but her request was to cut ties with him. Nova met his gaze and coldly replied, "Yes." He stared at her suspiciously before his expression fell. Then, he warned, "Don't play your little games, Nova. Cutting ties with the Shaws doesn't mean I'll ever be with you. "We can never get together. There's only one person I've ever loved, and that's Wynter, not you." Nova's eyelashes trembled faintly as she murmured, "Got it." The pain of her past life remained vivid in her mind, and she knew exactly how deeply he loved Wynter. So, in this life, she'd never love him again. All she wanted was to stay as far away from him as possible. Ewan was stunned for a bit at her response. He looked at her, his gaze lingering on her face. Something about Nova felt different now, but he couldn't quite put a finger on it. Just as he was about to speak, Wynter's voice came from the ward. He instinctively rushed in. The look in Nova's eyes dimmed slightly, but she followed. Wynter's eyes were red as she coughed and said, "Ewan, don't make things difficult for Ms. Sterling. I know she doesn't like me, and I understand even if she refuses to donate." She was about to continue when Ewan gripped her hand tightly. His tone was full of joy as he exclaimed, "Nova agreed to the donation! You're going to be okay!" Wynter's words came to an abrupt halt. She turned to Nova in shock before her eyes turned bloodshot. "Did she make you promise to marry her in return?" Before Ewan could respond, she raised her hand and slapped Nova hard across the face, leaving a red handprint. Clutching her chest and breathing agitatedly, she screamed, "Nova, you have no shame! He's your uncle, so how could you do something so low? "Ewan, if you marry her, I'd rather die right now!" Wynter was obviously overwhelmed with emotion, and Ewan couldn't bother to spare a glance at the injured Nova. Instead, he held Wynter tightly in his arms and murmured, "My heart has always belonged to you, Wynter. I'll only marry you and not anyone else. She shouldn't dream about it." Nova clutched her burning cheek and smiled bitterly. She knew better than to keep watching. As Nova walked away, she overheard their conversation. "She's donated part of her liver for you. Will it be dangerous if she gives up her kidney for me, too?" Nova's steps faltered, and a flicker of hope rose in her chest as she waited for Ewan's reply. But in the next instant, her hope was shattered completely. "Wynter, you know that I don't care if anyone else lives or dies. As long as you get better, that's all that matters." After leaving the ward, Nova took a few seconds to calm herself before making a call. "Hello, Ms. Bennett. I've decided to join the Project Westfort."