Chapter 1

Five years ago, at the peak of their romance, Isabelle Lawrence had died in a car accident while trying to protect Alexander Reynolds.

Covered in blood, she used her last breath to tell him, "Don't cry, Alex… There's something I need to entrust to you. It's my sister… She's cold and distant, and she doesn't know how to take care of herself… Could you help me take care of her for at least… five years?"

Alexander knew that she didn't truly need him to take care of Louise Lawrence. She was just worried he would lose the will to live, so she was making that request as a way to anchor him. She was hoping he would find a new reason to keep going within those five years.

He honored Isabelle and stayed by Louise's side, becoming her secretary. He shielded her from all danger and handled every problem that came her way.

However, even after five years, he hadn't changed his mind. He wanted to be with Isabelle.

Looking down at the headstone, he murmured, "This world means nothing to me without you, Isabelle. Just wait a little longer… I'll come find you soon."

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden buzzing of his phone.

It was Louise's best friend, Cynthia Wood. Her voice was laced with panic as she exclaimed, "Alexander! You need to come to the race track right now! Louise is out of her mind. She's risking her life just to pass some test Charles set for her!"

Alexander's eyes widened. He immediately got up and started running.

Charles Seaton was the man Louise had been pursuing for two whole years. He had demanded she complete 100 tasks before he would accept her feelings, claiming he wanted to test her sincerity.

However, most of the things he asked Louise to do were dangerous and absurd, like skydiving, deep-sea diving, and now, a car race that put her life at risk.

When Alexander got to the race track, Louise was taking off her coat, about to slip into a racing suit.

Louise's friends had gathered around her, trying to stop her.

"Are you crazy, Louise? You broke your leg last month skydiving for Charles, and it only just healed. Why are you putting your life on the line again?" Cynthia asked.

Another exclaimed, "Exactly! You're such a well-known socialite among the Northford elite. There are wealthy heirs lining up for a chance with you. Why are you so hell-bent on pursuing Charles?"

"Even Alexander is a better choice! Have you really not noticed that he's been fully devoting himself to you all these years?" someone added.

Louise paused, an indecipherable look flickering across her eyes. She looked up, and her gaze locked onto Alexander's pale face as he stood nearby.

"I don't like people who throw themselves at me," she replied in a low tone, her voice laced with cruel indifference. "Especially those who refuse to take a hint and keep bothering me."

Alexander stood a short way off, feeling his heart clench. Despite that, he strode over, picked up a racing suit and put it on.

Louise narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing?"

Alexander glanced down at her, his long eyelashes casting a shadow across his face. "You can't afford to get injured. I'll race on your behalf."

Upon seeing that, Cynthia pleaded, "Just let Alexander do it, Louise. How will you ever be with Charles if something happens to you now?"

Before Louise could reply, she caught sight of Alexander swiftly opening the car door and slipping into the driver's seat.

Her pupils shrank. She instinctively reached out to stop him, but her fingers closed around nothing.

"Alexander!" she barked icily. Her voice carried a commanding tone that left no room for argument.

Alexander, however, only responded with a faint nod through the car window. His expression was calm, as if he were simply about to complete a routine task.

With the roar of the engine, the race car shot forward like a bullet.

Louise stood where she was, the sudden gust of wind lifting the hem of her dress. She kept her eyes fixed on the car as it tore across the track, her gaze darkening with every passing second.

Alexander was risking his life just to keep her safe.

On the track, his car grazed the guardrails again and again. The sparks spraying off the metal were harsh against the dark night.

Even with the spectators crying out in shock, he maintained his breakneck speed the whole time.

As he finally crossed the finish line, there was a deafening crash. The front of his car was completely crumpled, and the airbags deployed.

With great difficulty, Alexander managed to push the door open. Blood was trickling from his temple, tracing a path down his pale cheek.

He staggered toward Louise and gave her the medal. "I… won…"

Before he could finish speaking, his body slumped forward, limp like a puppet with its strings cut.

Louise instinctively reached out and caught him. He felt impossibly light in her arms, as if he might vanish into thin air at any moment.

She stared down at Alexander's tightly closed eyes, an unfamiliar emotion surging within her.

"Alexander!" she called out, her voice filled with tension that she hadn't even realized was there.

Just before his vision faded away, Alexander's lips curled into a subtle smile.

He loved hearing her call his name. Her voice sounded just like that of the woman in his memories.