Chapter 1

Vanessa York gently traced the photograph on the headstone, her fingers trembling slightly. The person resting here was Matthias Hawke, Alexander Hawke's older brother and the only man she had ever truly loved. Five years ago, in the height of their love, Matthias died in a car crash while trying to protect her. He was covered in blood, barely clinging to life. Yet, he still used his final breath to whisper, "Nessa, please don't cry… There's something I need to ask you. Alex... he's cold and careless. He doesn't know how to take care of himself. Watch over him for me for at least five years... okay?" Vanessa knew he wasn't really asking her to take care of Alexander. Instead, he was afraid she wouldn't be able to continue living. So, he used this as a reason for her to keep going, hoping she would find a purpose to live again during those five years. She had listened to his words, gone to Alexander's side, and become his personal secretary, shielding him from all dangers and handling all his troubles. But now that the five years were up, her feelings remained unchanged. She was ready to join Matthias. She looked down at the headstone and whispered, "Matthias, without you, this world is too lonely for me. Just wait a little longer, and I'll be with you soon." Suddenly, her phone buzzed and pulled her out of the moment. It was Kevin Yates, Alexander's friend. He sounded urgent as he said, "Vanessa! You need to get to the racetrack now! Alex has lost his mind! He's willing to risk his life for one of Lucille's challenges!" Vanessa's eyes widened. She stood up immediately and ran outside. Lucille Watson was the woman Alexander had been pursuing for two whole years. She claimed she wanted to test Alexander's sincerity and demanded he complete 100 tasks before she would agree to his courtship. However, most of the things she asked for were dangerous and ridiculous. He had gone skydiving, deep-sea diving, and even head-to-head with a pro fighter just for Lucille's sake. By the time Vanessa reached the racetrack, Alexander was already shrugging off his suit jacket, ready to change into a racing suit. Meanwhile, his friends were trying to talk him out of it. One said, "Alex, have you lost your mind? The leg you broke skydiving for Lucille last month just healed, and now you want to risk your life again?" "Exactly! You're the most eligible bachelor of Aenfield. Countless socialites and heiresses are lining up for your attention, but you're still hung up on Lucille?" Another chimed in, "If nothing else, even Vanessa is better than her, right? She's poured her heart and soul into you all these years. Are you really that blind?" Alexander froze for a moment, a flicker of emotion flashing in his eyes. When he looked up again, he saw Vanessa standing just a few feet away, her face pale. "I don't like women who throw themselves at me," he said coldly, his voice casual yet cruel, "especially the clingy, desperate kind." Vanessa stood in the distance, her heart aching painfully. It was as if someone had grabbed it and twisted it hard. Despite the pain, she still walked straight up to him and snatched the racing suit. Without a word, she quickly put it on. Alexander narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing?" Vanessa lowered her gaze, her long lashes casting shadows on her face. "I'm not letting you get hurt. I'll go in your place." Seeing this, Kevin immediately urged, "Alexander, let Vanessa go! If something happens to you, how will you be with Lucille?" Alexander was about to speak when he saw Vanessa opening the car door and getting in. He was shocked and instinctively reached out to stop her, but she was already too far ahead. "Vanessa!" he shouted coldly, his voice carrying an unquestionable commanding tone. Yet, she only nodded at him through the car window, her expression as calm as if she were just completing an ordinary task. With the roar of the engine, the race car shot out. Alexander stood in place, a corner of his suit jacket lifted by the fierce wind. He stared at the race car speeding around the track, his eyes growing darker and darker. He couldn't believe that she was willing to risk her life just to keep him safe. On the track, Vanessa's race car scraped against the barriers several times, and the sparks from metal friction were particularly striking in the night. The spectators on the sidelines gasped in shock, but she never once eased up on the throttle. When she finally crossed the finish line, there was a loud bang. Her car's front end was completely crushed under the crash, and the airbags deployed. As Vanessa struggled to push open the car door, blood trickled from her forehead down her pale cheek. Then, she staggered over to Alexander and handed him the trophy, mumbling, "I... won..." Before he could reply, her body gave out and collapsed like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Alexander caught her without thinking. She felt impossibly light in his arms, like she could vanish at any moment. He looked down at her closed eyes, and an unfamiliar emotion rose in his chest. "Vanessa!" he called her name, not even noticing how strained he sounded. Before falling into darkness, Vanessa's lips curved into a slight smile. She always loved hearing him say her name because it sounded just like the person in her memories.