Chapter 1

A sudden, devastating car accident left Nicole Watson hanging by a thread. Her kidney had ruptured, and her only hope for survival was an immediate transplant. Desperate to find a matching kidney donor, her fiance, Maverick Pitt, exhausted every connection and resource at his disposal. He even offered a billion-dollar reward, willing to pay any price to save her. In those days, the city's elite buzzed with tales of his devotion, hailing him as a man of rare, unwavering loyalty. Finally, his persistence paid off—a matching donor had been found. The surgery was a success. But when Nicole finally drifted back to consciousness after a long stretch of hazy unconsciousness, the first thing she saw was a pair of marriage certificates. Their stark ivory color felt jarring against the hospital white. The groom was Maverick. The bride, however, was Chloe Tucker, the woman who had spent the last decade chasing him. "Nicky, I searched the entire city. Chloe was the only match," Maverick said, his voice heavy with guilt. "She didn't want the money. Her only condition was that I marry her. I had no choice." He continued, his defense growing more desperate. "I'm only giving her a title, I promise. My heart, my love—everything I have still belongs to you." Nicole lay in the hospital bed, the revelation hitting her like a physical blow. She opened her mouth, wanting to demand an explanation, to shout her rage, but her throat felt tight, trapping the words in her chest. Could she even blame him? No. He had done it to save her life. In the end, her agony and grievances dissolved into silent tears that traced bitter paths down her cheeks. Maverick leaned down and kissed those tears away, his touch gentle and brimming with affection. "Don't cry, Nicky. I promise you, nothing is going to change." However, despite his promise, everything was quietly changing. During their first month living under the same roof, Chloe accidentally tumbled down the stairs and bled heavily. Without a second thought, Maverick grabbed Nicole—who had barely recovered herself—and dragged her to the hospital to donate blood. "She saved your life once. We can't just ignore that debt. It's only a little blood, Nicky. It won't hurt you," he argued. The second time came when Nicole and Chloe were trapped together in a stalled elevator. When the doors were finally pried open, Maverick carried a trembling Chloe out first without a moment's hesitation. "She has severe claustrophobia. Her situation is more critical. Just hang in there, Nicky." The third incident happened when Nicole accompanied Maverick to his study. They walked in to find Chloe disheveled, clutching Maverick's prayer beads—the one he never let out of his sight—and slipping them beneath her skirt. Her eyes were glazed with obsessive desire, her body writhing. Maverick exploded. Veins pulsed at his temples as he roared for security to drag Chloe out and lock her in her room. Though Nicole was repulsed by Chloe's behavior, seeing Maverick's violent reaction actually helped suppress the gnawing doubts she had been harboring. "He still hates Chloe. Doesn't he?" she told herself. Shortly after, Nicole realized she had left something behind. She doubled back to the study, only to witness a scene that made her blood run cold. Maverick was holding the same beads, which were still damp from Chloe. Then, with an expression of almost reverent devotion, he slowly lowered his head and pressed a lingering kiss to them. Nicole clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. She couldn't believe her eyes. Wasn't he a germaphobe? Didn't he despise Chloe more than anyone in the world? How could he possibly do that? Just then, a knock at the door broke the trance. The butler, Dennis Jones, walked in. Maverick snapped back to his usual self in an instant. With practiced ease, he swept the prayer beads into his desk drawer. Dennis stood in silence for a long moment, studying Maverick's hardened profile. Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Pitt… have you… fallen for Ms. Tucker?" A deathly silence fell over the study. Nicole held her breath. Her heart hammered against her ribs so violently she thought it might burst from her chest. Then, Maverick's voice broke through, low and laced with an inner conflict he didn't seem to fully understand himself. "I don't know… I used to find her so repulsive," he muttered. "But she's loved me for ten whole years. Ever since I did her a small favor back in high school, she's followed me like a shadow." He began to recount memories. "When I was cold to her, she didn't seem to care. When I lashed out at her, she'd still show up the next morning with breakfast. I even went out of my way to be affectionate with Nicole right in front of her to drive her away, but she'd just walk away with red eyes, only to come back the next day, as stubbornly devoted as ever." He paused, his breath hitching. "And this time, she was even willing to give up a kidney just because I asked, all for a legal title that carries no real weight. I think… without even realizing it… I've fallen for her." He was in love with Chloe? The words that followed became a distant hum. Nicole felt a chill shoot from her feet to her skull, leaving her entire body numb and frozen. Dennis let out a long sigh. "And what about Ms. Watson? You went through hell and back to win her heart." Maverick fell silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice held the weary honesty of a man finally shedding his mask. "Nicky is exceptional. She's stunning, and she's been the most radiant presence in any room since we were kids. Winning her used to be my greatest ambition." He sighed. "But for years, I've had to cater to her every whim. I'm constantly walking on eggshells, trying to read her mind. She's like a goddess on a pedestal I'm forced to look up to. But even the most perfect goddess becomes exhausting when you have to worship her every single day." "Now, when I look at Nicole, all I can think about is Chloe. I think about how careful she is with me, and how she's always supported me from the shadows. My heart…" he paused, finally admitting the truth. "It belongs entirely to Chloe now. I'm only playing the devoted lover for Nicole out of habit and duty." "But luckily…" A hint of relief and satisfaction crept into his voice. "The best decision I ever made was marrying Chloe. Now, the woman I truly love can stay by my side, legally and rightfully, for the rest of our lives."