Start Over Without You

Everyone in Sparrowville said that Margaret Chapman was the happiest woman in town. Gavin Hartley showered her with gifts—a sapphire ring, an asteroid after her name—treating her like she was the center of his universe.

Margaret had always believed it, too. Until the day she accidentally discovered the woman he had been hiding in his villa.

For ten years, he had kept her there—his childhood sweetheart. After she lost herself to schizophrenia, she had said, "Margaret is me." And so, for nearly seven years, Gavin had courted Margaret and cherished her, playing out a love story that had never truly been hers.

Margaret's heart crumbled to ash after she found out the truth. She left without looking back, moving to a country thousands of miles away. But she never imagined that Gavin would lose himself to rage, his eyes burning red as he nearly tore Sparrowville apart.

"Where the hell is Margaret?!"

"I promise you, I'll give you my identity."

The autumn wind howled, sweeping up a blanket of fallen leaves. After saying those words, Margaret Chapman crushed the glowing tip of her cigarette, her voice cold and detached.

"You won't forget the deal you made with me, right?"

On the other end of the line, a low chuckle rang out. "Sure, no problem. Now, about my identity—"

"I don't want it," Margaret interrupted, her tone even. "If Gavin asks, just tell him I'm dead—if he asks, that is."

She hung up the phone, and moments later, Gavin Hartley's distinctive Maybach pulled up right in front of her. Behind it, a swarm of press cars followed closely.

The man stepped out, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit and a black trench coat. His sharp eyes softened to an almost unbearable tenderness as they met Margaret's gaze.

He walked over and wrapped his coat around her fragile frame, shielding her from the chill. The crowd gasped in admiration.

"Mr. Hartley really softens up whenever he's with Ms. Chapman. She must be so lucky."

"Do you remember Mr. Hartley's birthday gift from last year? A limited edition sapphire ring worth a fortune. I'm so jealous!"

"That's nothing! Mr. Hartley would give up his life for Ms. Chapman! When her mother was diagnosed with uremia, he immediately went to get tested for a kidney match. The way he looked, he seemed ready to donate a kidney right away!"

"Yeah! Although the match didn't work out, I heard he even traveled to several countries just to find a kidney for her mother!"

-

"Isn't it cold?" Gavin's soft voice pulled Margaret back from her wandering thoughts.

"Weren't you supposed to wait for me at the hospital?"

Gavin swiftly removed his own coat and draped it over her shoulders. He was gentle, tender beyond measure.

Margaret hugged the coat tightly around herself. She wanted to smile, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't.

Because, at that moment, she had come to her senses.

A week ago, she had suddenly realized that Gavin had