Chapter 1

My fiance, Jeremy Anderson, and I had been together for ten years. We were the perfect couple in everyone's eyes. I once took 99 bullets for him while shielding him from an enemy, and he gave me one of his kidneys to save my life. I had promised him in tears, saying, "In this life, I'll repay you with 99 favors." On the eve of our wedding, we agreed to climb the snowy Sheris Heights. But an avalanche struck, and we had no choice but to take shelter in a local farmer's home. His first love, the expedition leader, was injured while saving him. Somehow, she had swallowed an aphrodisiac, mistaking it for painkillers. My always traditional, seemingly pure fiance hadn't hesitated. Jeremy stripped off his clothes, intending to relieve her discomfort. While everyone waited for me to lose my mind, I merely walked away calmly. I owed Jeremy three more favors, then we would be even. Once that was done, it was time for me to return home and take over the mafia. … Tara Brooks flung Jeremy's boxers into my face before slamming the door shut. The thin wooden panel did nothing to block out the sounds of their moans. My cheeks burned. One of the fellow hikers shot me a sly look and sneered. "I didn't think you were this magnanimous, Ms. Graves. I can't believe you're willingly sharing your fiance. How about we have some fun too…" At that, the rage I had been bottling up finally exploded. I lunged forward and landed a heavy punch square on his face. Just as I was about to unleash more of my fury, Jeremy stopped me. As he dragged me hastily toward the room, his expression was filled with nothing but worry for Tara. "Tara told me to lose my virginity to you before helping her with her condition. That'll do, won't it? I won't be breaking our promise to save our first night for each other." I laughed in disbelief. Jeremy froze before turning to glare at me, annoyance darkening his expression. "Vera Graves, if you hadn't insisted on making such a big deal about our first time, I wouldn't have had to come up with this! Tara was being considerate of your feelings, yet you're so ungrateful!" Tara's tone was apologetic, but the gleam of triumph in her eyes was unmistakable. "I'm sorry, Vera… I don't want this either, but there's no better way now. The drug's taking effect… Forgive me." With that, she tiptoed and kissed Jeremy right in front of me. The passion between them ignited instantly as they clung to each other with shameless abandon. Their gasps and pants filled the air behind me as I turned and walked away numbly. I could feel the crowd's gaze on me—some with pity, others with ridicule. My fists were clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. It was painful, but I hardly noticed. It was half an hour later that Jeremy finally emerged. Even though I had steeled myself, the sight of him covered in marks of passion still sent a sharp pang through my chest. Jeremy looked down at me. His voice was hoarse when he said, "Tara used up her oxygen. Give her your tank first. The drug's effect hasn't worn off much yet. She still needs my help. Surely you can understand?" At once, all eyes turned to me. Laughter rippled through the crowd, and the dull ache in my chest sharpened into a stabbing pain I could no longer ignore. My voice came out hoarse. "Jeremy, would this count as a favor?" He rubbed his temples, looking impatient. He clearly didn't want to agree, but hearing Tara's ragged breathing behind him made him go pale with panic. "Fine!" A bitter smile tugged at my lips as I handed him the last oxygen tank. I watched him rush back to Tara's side, and my world went hazy. There was a time when Jeremy always put me first, just like he was doing with Tara now. I was the heir of the mafia, but I was born with a heart defect. Amid bloody power struggles, I had been hunted down and was gravely injured when I stumbled into Jeremy's house. To save me, Jeremy had drained his own blood to replace mine. In return, I had promised him 99 favors. Before his first love returned, Jeremy had only asked for two favors. One was that I become his girlfriend, and the other was that I marry him. But the moment Tara came back, everything changed. He began breaking his principles for her, hurting me and humiliating me whenever he pleased. But what Jeremy didn't realize was that with two favors left, my debt to him will soon be repaid in full.