Chapter 1 Declan Hawthorne - heir to the Hawthorne empire - had been paralyzed for three years . When he finally recovered , his closest friends threw him a celebration at their private club . Marissa Wynn stood just outside the door , a carefully wrapped gift in her hands . She was about to step inside when she heard voices drifting through the door . " Declan , seriously , you owe Marissa everything . If it weren't for her , you'd never have made it this far . " " Yeah , man . She stuck with you every day - giving you massages , helping with your rehab . She barely slept , afraid you'd have another breakdown in the middle of the night . That kind of loyalty ? You don't forget that . " " She's … a good person , " Declan replied , his voice low and warm . Marissa's fingertips trembled . A soft glow of hope began to rise in her chest . And then- " So when are you marrying her ? " The room fell eerily silent . Marissa froze , hand still hovering in the air . Her heart slammed against her ribs . She held her breath like she was waiting for a verdict . After a long pause , Declan's voice returned - calm , cool , distant . " I've always seen her as a sister . " A beat . " A sister ?! " one of the guys exclaimed . " She's been by your side for three freaking years and you see her as a sister ? Declan , are you still hung up on Celeste ? She ditched you the second things went south . Now she shows up just because you're back on your feet ? Come on , man . You can't be serious . " Declan said nothing . Outside the door , it felt like someone had driven a fist straight through Marissa's chest . Silence had always been the clearest answer . Chapter 1 BookSnap Google Play INSTALL 4.55 % She'd thought - naively - that three years of devotion, three years of late nights , setbacks , and pain , might be enough to reach his heart . But he'd been holding onto someone else all along . Three years ago , Declan had been the golden boy . Top of his class at Westbridge University , heir to a multi - billion - dollar empire , a man of grace , talent , and polish . He could ski , ride , fence - he was the type of man people called " once in a generation . " And Marissa ? She was nothing more than a scholarship student the Hawthornes had sponsored out of charity . The first time she saw him was at an awards ceremony . He stood tall on stage , cold - eyed and poised , like some untouchable marble statue . She had sat all the way in the back , clutching her scholarship envelope , too timid to even clap properly . Back then , Celeste Whitmore stood beside him - stunning , poised , from a family that matched his in wealth and influence . Everyone said they looked like a storybook couple . Then came the accident . Declan's spine was damaged . The doctors said he might never walk again . Celeste didn't even visit . She sent a breakup text and vanished . Overnight , the once - idolized golden boy fell from grace . He spiraled rage , depression , even suicidal thoughts . His parents were helpless , devastated . And that was when Marissa stepped in . She knelt in front of his wheelchair and whispered , " Declan … things will get better . I'll stay with you . " For the next three years , she kept her word . She studied physical therapy techniques , slept only two hours a night , afraid he'd harm himself in the dark . When he smashed a chair over his own legs in a breakdown , she threw herself in front of him , taking the blow herself . Every step of the way , she was there . Quiet . Steady . Unmoving . She became the only person who could calm him . The only one he could fall asleep around . Everyone thought that once he recovered , he would marry her . D બે Chapter 1 BookSnap Google Play UPHINSTALL 4.55 % Marissa thought so too . But not anymore . Now he was healthy . Celeste was back . And the " sister " who had stood by him through it all … it was time for her to leave the stage . Marissa took a breath and pushed open the door . The laughter and chatter inside died instantly . All eyes turned toward her - some guilty , some uncomfortable . " Marissa ? When did you get here ? " one of them asked , trying to sound casual . " Just now . " She smiled , as if she hadn't heard a thing . Walking forward , she handed the gift to Declan . " Congratulations on your recovery . " Declan reached out to take it - but before he could , the door opened again . Celeste stood at the threshold , eyes red - rimmed . " Declan … I heard you were doing better … Just wanted to say congrats . " The room stiffened . " You've got some nerve showing up , " one of Declan's friends muttered . " Back then , you disappeared the moment things got hard . And now you're back like nothing happened ? " Celeste flushed , embarrassed . She shoved the gift into Declan's hands and turned to leave . But Declan caught her wrist . " Since you're coming . Just stay . " The room fell into stunned silence . Everyone looked at Marissa . She stood still , her smile unchanged - but her nails had already dug deep into her palm . Three years . Three years of loyalty , pain , and quiet sacrifice - and all of it was still no match for one tear from Celeste . The rest of the night was suffocating . Chapter 1 4.55 % C DramaBox Google Play INSTALL Declan's friends , clearly upset , went out of their way to ignore Celeste and joke about Marissa and Declan instead . " Marissa , didn't you give Declan massages every day during rehab ? " " Oh yeah . She's basically a pro now . Declan wouldn't even let anyone else touch him ! " Marissa lowered her gaze , pretending not to notice Celeste glaring daggers at her across the room . Declan said nothing , but it was obvious - his attention never strayed from Celeste . Later , someone suggested a game . Celeste lost first . Her punishment ? Ask a guy for his number . She glanced instinctively at Declan , eyes pleading . But Declan just stared at his phone like he didn't hear her . Biting her lip , Celeste stood . " Fine . I'll do it . " Marissa watched her walk toward a nearby booth - and saw her quickly surrounded by several drunken men . One of them grabbed her wrist . " Hey , gorgeous . I'll give you my number - if you let me cop a feel . " " Let go of me ! " Celeste screamed . Declan looked up - and launched himself across the room . He slammed his fist into the guy's face . " Touch her again - and see what happens . " Chaos erupted . " Declan , stop ! That's enough ! " his friends tried to pull him off . Worried about his still - fragile health , Marissa rushed forward . " Declan , don't- " He shoved her aside . " Get out of my way . " She stumbled . Then slipped . Then fell . Chapter 1 4.55 % D DramaBox INSTALL Google Play She tumbled down the stairs , her head slamming against the ground with a sickening crack . Everything went dark . Warm blood trickled down her forehead , painting her vision red . She tried to sit up , pain blinding - but all she saw was Declan carrying Celeste out of the room . He didn't even look back . It felt like something inside her chest tore open , raw and bleeding . And she remembered- Back then , when he'd tried to destroy his legs in a fit of despair , she'd tried to stop him - and ended up with three fractured ribs . " What the hell's wrong with you ? My legs are already useless ! " he'd shouted through tears . " Why do you even care ?! " She had collapsed from the pain , cold sweat soaking her shirt , but still she clung to him . " Because your legs matter , " she whispered . " Because one day , you will walk again . " That day , for the first time , Declan Hawthorne - prideful , broken Declan - had pulled her into his arms and begged , " Don't leave me , Marissa . " Everyone called it a miracle when he finally stood again . But they didn't know . There was no miracle . Only her . Fighting tooth and nail to drag him out of the dark . And now … He was free . And he didn't need her anymore . Her phone rang , sharp and cruel . The screen read : " Mrs. Hawthorne . " She knew exactly what this call was . Sure enough , the voice on the other end was polished , distant . " Marissa , dear , n