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Chapter 9
“Maverick, don’t die! Please don’t die!”
“We haven’t gotten married yet! We haven’t had our honeymoon! We haven’t had kids!”
I sobbed and chased the stretcher, stumbling and screaming as they rushed him into the ER.
My white dress was soaked in Maverick’s blood-just like that day at the mall, only a thousand times worse.
It felt like time looping back-back to that day my period came like a hemorrhage.
Only this time, I felt even more helpless. Even more destroyed.
The operating room doors slammed shut. I collapsed into a chair, tears pouring down my face.
My parents came.
Friends and relatives came.
Maverick’s parents came too.
“I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry…”
I cried as I apologized to his parents, my voice breaking.
If something happened to Maverick, even dying wouldn’t be enough to make up for it!
Maverick’s mom was crying.
Maverick’s dad was holding back tears, but he gave me a smile.
“Silly girl. This isn’t your fault.”
“What kind of man can’t protect his woman? My son’s a REAL man.”
“He’s gonna pull through. I know he will.”
But their words didn’t help. Not even a little.
I wouldn’t smile again-couldn’t-until I saw him walk out of that operating room in one piece!
Now, all I could do was wait. And wait. And wait-
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Until the door finally opened.
“Patient’s stable. Luckily no major organs were hit…”
I stopped hearing after that. All I knew was he was alive!
I rushed to the gurney as they wheeled him out.
He wasn’t awake yet. The anesthesia was still wearing off. His eyes could barely crack open. But his lips were moving, mumbling something.
I leaned in close.
Then I heard it-
“Is my wife okay?”
Idiot!
We’re not even married yet!
I started crying and laughing at the same time.
All four parents just stood there, completely confused.
Soon they moved him to a recovery room.
And the anesthesia wore off.
Wrapped head to toe in bandages, grinned at me like an idiot.
But every time he smiled, it tugged on his injuries, and he’d suck in a sharp breath.
Then he’d smile again.
Wince. Smile. Wince. Smile,
I couldn’t take it anymore.
“What are you smiling about?”
“I finally got to protect you…”
His voice was still weak.
“I kept thinking… maybe the reason you wouldn’t accept me before was because I was too weak back in school. You
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Chapter 9
had to protect me back then… So you weren’t interested.”
“After all, women are attracted to strength… right?”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I’m not talking nonsense… I’m proving to you now-I CAN protect you!”
He tried to reach for my hand but couldn’t quite make it.
So I leaned over and placed my hand in his.
“Nina, did I finally reignite the spark?”
I nodded softly.
I squeezed his hand tighter.
“But more than fireworks and passion? I want slow mornings and quiet nights-with you.”
“When can I get out of here?”
“Why are you in such a rush?”
“We have to get our marriage license, don’t we?”
So-at Maverick’s insistence, we got our marriage license the day he was discharged.
And three months later, we had our wedding.
Everything was beautiful.
But right during the vows, Lincoln came bursting in like a lunatic.
“STOP! YOU CAN’T DO THIS! I WON’T LET YOU!”
He shoved through the crowd and threw himself at my feet, grabbing the hem of my wedding dress and sobbing.
“Nina, please! I’m begging you! I was wrong about everything! EVERYTHING!”
“Chelsea was a snake! A corporate spy sent by my competitors! She stole all my clients! She sabotaged my contracts! I have to pay millions in penalties!”
“I’m ruined! I’ve lost everything! I’m bankrupt!”
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He was a wreck-snot and tears everywhere.
“Nina, you’re all I have left!”
“Will you help me get back on my feet? Please?”
He looked at me with desperate, dying-animal eyes.
I just shook my head firmly.
“Lincoln, you threw me away when you had everything.”
“Now that you have nothing? You’re not my problem anymore.”
“Go. You’re ancient history. My future? It’s with my husband.”
Lincoln tried to say something else, but Maverick stepped in front of me.
“You’re not welcome here.”
“You piece of shit! Stealing my woman! She’s just my leftovers anyway-damaged goods!”
Lincoln lunged at Maverick like a madman.
Maverick had just recovered from his injuries. I instinctively moved to protect him.
But my cousin was faster. He rushed forward and decked Lincoln with one punch.
Then he turned to Maverick with a cheeky grin.
“Save your strength for tonight, bro. I’ll handle this garbage!”
Oh god!
I rolled my eyes so hard!
Just like this, we had our dream wedding. Honeymoon in Rio. Got back, found out I was pregnant.
Before you say I’m overachieving-this was all Maverick.
Guy was on a mission every night to prove he wasn’t gay and that his body had fully recovered.
His words, not mine.
What could I do?
Chapter 9
Let him prove it.
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