Chapter 1: Even If It's Hatred

Maggie Adam was dead, killed in a premeditated explosion. She hadn't anticipated that her husband, Nathael Harris—a man she had despised for years—would sacrifice his life to save her. Her soul hovered, staring blankly at the blood-covered man, one arm severely injured. Nathael, supporting himself with one hand, his eyes bloodshot, crawled determinedly toward her shattered body.

"Maggie!" he exclaimed, his voice hoarse and desperate.

"Nathael…" Maggie's voice was barely audible. His subordinates rushed in, their distress evident. Witnessing Nathael's condition, they wept.

"Sir, Madam… has already passed away."

Nathael was rushed to the hospital; his condition repeatedly declared critical. Maggie stood dazed by the operating table, noticing the corner of her clothes clutched tightly in his hand. A surge of emotion overwhelmed her. She couldn't comprehend why this man, whom she had deceived, ruined, used, and betrayed countless times, would sacrifice himself for her. She felt a flicker of relief that she had pushed him away at the last moment. The surgery lasted over twenty hours; Nathael's life was saved, but his left arm was amputated.

A month later, Nathael was discharged. Maggie stared blankly at the man in the suit, his left sleeve empty. It pained her. For years, she had despised him. Adopted by the Camerons as a child, she'd fallen in love with Joseph, their eldest son. As childhood sweethearts, they'd discussed marriage.

But during that time, she had been assaulted by Nathael.

To avenge herself and repay the Camerons, she repeatedly manipulated and framed Nathael, ruining his projects and reputation. Perhaps it was karma; he had someone blind and disfigure her. He even humiliated her by marrying her. On their wedding night, she laughed, uttering a malicious curse:

"Nathael, one day I will drag you down to hell with me!" Unexpectedly, her words became a prophecy. Maggie had long realized she'd hated the wrong person but feared confronting the truth, so she avoided it.

Regardless, Nathael tolerated her stubbornness. It wasn't until Joseph strapped explosives to her that she finally stopped deceiving herself. Yes, she had hated the wrong person! She had trusted the Camerons and misunderstood Nathael, becoming an accomplice to their villainy, indirectly causing her family's death and repeatedly hurting Nathael, who had always been by her side. Regrettably, she could no longer apologize.

"Bring them to me."

"Yes."

The man's icy tone snapped Maggie back to reality. Shortly after, a disheveled pair was thrown in, bound tightly. Maggie was stunned before recognizing the disheveled woman—Sierra, the beloved Cameron daughter—and the tortured Joseph. They knelt, banging their heads and begging for mercy.

"Nathael, spare us! We won't fight anymore!"

"We were wrong! Please, spare us!"

"Spare?" Nathael sneered, a dagger pressed against Sierra's face, his phoenix eyes mad. "If I spare you, who will spare her?"

Sensing what was coming, Sierra struggled frantically. "No! No!"

"Mr. Harris, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have scarred Maggie's face! I shouldn't have blinded her! I loved you so much! Why did you marry her instead?!"

Nathael laughed coldly, raising his knife and slashing. A flash of cold light; a bloody ear fell. Sierra screamed, her face contorted in pain. Maggie felt as if struck by lightning. She'd never imagined Sierra, whom she'd considered a sister, was the one who had harmed her; she'd always blamed Nathael.

Maggie laughed at herself, feeling like a fool. The memory of her treatment of Nathael suffocated her.

"Love me?" Nathael asked, a sinister smile on his face. He gripped her chin, saying, "Let me see how much you love me." He lifted the dagger and slashed deeply across Sierra's face, repeatedly, until he gouged out her eyes. Sierra collapsed, barely alive. Joseph huddled, terrified.

Nathael smiled, walked to Joseph, and severed an arm, tossing it away. He looked demonic. "This is what you owe me. But what you owe her, you can never repay!"

Maggie's eyes were empty. How could he ever repay? The vows, the devotion, her life…

"Nathael! Kill me!" Joseph writhed, laughing hysterically. "Does it matter what you did for her? She'd still choose me! You're her sworn enemy!"

His words struck Nathael deeply. The smile faded, his eyes cold. He said stubbornly, "Even if it's hatred, I still hold a place in her heart."

Tears welled in Maggie's eyes. "Nathael, you fool!"

Nathael glanced coldly at Joseph. "You're dog food." Fierce barking echoed; bloodthirsty Tibetan Mastiffs surged toward the door. Maggie's heart tightened; she didn't want him to kill. But she didn't know that the moment he'd seen her die, he'd given up his own life.

"No…" Joseph's pupils narrowed, but it was too late. The mastiffs lunged.