From that day on, every evening Mia would tend to Jensen's wounds, and afterward, they would spar and share their hard-earned experiences with each other. Slowly, Jensen's injuries became less frequent, and their bond deepened. They became inseparable, like two halves of a whole. Some even teased them, joking that they resembled a pair of devoted lovers. Mia would always retort, while Jensen remained silent, returning to his room with a distant look in his eyes.Mia knew there was someone else on Jensen's mind; she had seen him staring out the window, lost in thought, his eyes filled with longing. One night, when he had too much to drink, he suddenly embraced her, calling out a different name – Kisa. In that moment, Mia was consumed with jealousy, yet she could not help but wonder what kind of girl Kisa was to have captured Jensen's heart so completely.Three years flew by, and winter returned to the McCray residence compound. The training ground featured a large pond, and during the

Hayes' smile was unrelenting, but it sent a shiver down one's spine. Jensen fixed his gaze on him, his voice steady. "She is just my friend—nothing romantic. I would do the same for any of my friends.""So, you still don't have feelings for her?" Hayes sneered, casting a sly glance at Mia. Her eyes filled with tears, and his smile grew colder."If you don't care for her, then you have no right to take her place in training.""I didn't need his help anyway." Mia choked back tears and confronted Hayes. "He's just butting in. I can handle an exercise like this on my own. I don't need him stepping in."Hayes lowered his eyes, smirking without saying a word. Mia inhaled sharply, pain evident, and turned to walk toward the water. Jensen's lips tightened, and he pleaded with Hayes. "Can she at least get a few days off? She's not well.""Jensen!" Mia interrupted before Hayes could reply. Frustration and resentment in her eyes, she glared at him. "My well-being is none of your concern. Eve

The feeling dissipated in an instant as he heard her murmur a name. He gazed intensely at the woman in his arms, his deep eyes clouded with a dark, chilling aura. 'She was whispering... Jensen's name. Ah, so she is that fond of Jensen? What a shame, the man doesn't share her affection.' He suddenly released her, looking down upon her with contempt. His eyes no longer held the depth of emotion they once did; all that remained was a cold, mocking sneer. He retreated to the window to smoke. A cool breeze blew in, dispelling the heat that had built up within him. On the expansive bed, the woman curled into a small, frail ball, pitiable and weak. He leaned back in his chair, silently observing her, his face expressionless.Mia slept fitfully. When she awoke, the sky was already dark, the room shrouded in pitch black. However, her years of training quickly alerted her to another presence in the room. As she hastily sat up and scanned her surroundings, she caught sight of a tiny ember near t

Fear was etched deeply on Mia's face.Hayes lifted his hand, his slender fingers gently wiping away the tears from her face. He chuckled softly, his voice as tender as if he were comforting a child. "Why are you crying? Are you that afraid of me? You should know that of all people, I would never harm you. I just want you to be my woman and accompany me, that's all."Mia leaned against his chest, her voice trembling and fragile. She said, "I already have someone I like.""Jensen, right?" Mia did not respond. Hayes suddenly laughed mockingly. "Your devotion to him is quite evident. Do you think he can't see your feelings for him? The reason he hasn't reciprocated is simply that he doesn't like you."It was ironic. The woman he liked was in love with another man, and that man did not even like her.Mia bit her lip gently, a pang of pain shooting through her heart.'Though Hayes's words are cruel, they are true. Jensen doesn't like me. What can I do? Once I fall for someone, I'm stub

Jensen's body stiffened, his expression a mix of emotions as he looked at her. "You..."Mia took a deep breath, choking back tears. "The doctor said I can't have children in this lifetime. Do you... do you despise me for it?"Jensen shook his head instinctively, his voice growing softer. "Don't overthink it. Your health can still be improved."Mia smiled, lowering her eyes."See, you clearly don't like me, yet you still comfort me so gently. You make it so easy for me to misunderstand and to...fall for you," she said, slowly walking toward him."Jensen..." She called his name, her hands resting on his shoulders, "Hayes said that if I became his woman, he'd make me the most powerful woman in the McCray family." Jensen looked at her calmly, not saying a word. Mia smiled sadly. "But I didn't agree. Even if he gave me a hundred chances, I wouldn't agree.""You really are a fool," Jensen murmured.Mia shook her head with a smile. "Yes, I am a fool. I can't be with him while you're in