Chapter 18

Maverick and Chloe arrived at the resort and checked into the most expensive overwater villa. The facilities were flawless; the service impeccable. Chloe was swept up in the luxury, giddy with happiness. Dinner was a romantic, candlelit meal prepared by a three-star Michelin chef. Facing the exquisite dishes, Chloe could only offer comments like, "This tastes great," or "That looks so pretty," before burying herself in the food. Maverick cut into his steak, but it tasted bland to him. Once again, he thought of Nicole. She was a true foodie. She would savor every bite, analyzing the ingredients and the chef's technique. Sometimes she would playfully steal a piece of food right off his plate, her eyes watering from the spice while she stubbornly insisted it was delicious. Their meals had always been full of laughter. Now, the only sounds at the table were the faint clink of silverware and Chloe's satisfied chewing. The silence felt suffocating. In the evening, the sunset painted the