Loving You All Over Again

Chapter 1 Die For Her

In the dead of night, the mental hospital in Ravin City, Yuresland, loomed like a haunted fortress.

From Room 1103 came the familiar sound of a woman's anguished screams, her tortured cries echoing through the halls like a damned soul trapped between worlds.

The sickly glow of fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across a woman chained to the wall, her white dress in tatters. The aftermath of electric shock therapy left her barely breathing. Track marks dotted her bony arms, visible through the ragged sleeves.

She was barely recognizable as Aurora Sage, once the toast of high society, her radiant beauty now extinguished.

"Stay back," she whimpered, cowering against the wall, her vacant eyes darting around the room in terror. "Don't hurt me again."

A nurse sauntered over, her lips curled in a cruel smile as she crouched down, patting Aurora's pallid cheek. "Look at you now, Aurora. Remember when you had every man in the city eating out of your hand? Now they can't even stomach the sight of you."

She slowly peeled off her surgical mask, revealing a face that made Aurora's blood run cold.

"Naomi," Aurora rasped, her eyes widening in recognition of her cousin beneath the nurse's uniform.

Naomi Price's perfectly painted lips twisted into a sneer. "Yeah, it's me. Go ahead and hate me—you should." Her elegant appearance belied the venom in her voice, her eyes sharp as knives.

She continued, "What made you so special? I've kept you locked away for a decade, yet Maverick still tears the country apart looking for you. He's become obsessed, you know. He's pushing me to the edge, all because he can't let you go!"

At the mention of Maverick's name, Aurora's clouded mind briefly cleared. She doubted Naomi's words. A decade ago, he had been Yuresland's most noble and wealthy bachelor, the man her grandfather had chosen as her future husband – and the one person she'd sworn never to marry.

"Don't believe me?" Naomi's laugh held an edge of madness. "Oh, you still don't know who saved you, do you? It was Maverick. And Scott, your supposed precious savior? He's alive because of Maverick's kidney. The very man you despised most gave his kidney to Scott, all for your sake!

"And how did you repay him? You humiliated him and nearly destroyed his family. You thought he was responsible for your grandfather's death? Wrong. It was me and Scott all along."

Naomi's words hit Aurora like physical blows. The weight of this revelation sent waves of guilt crashing through her. "You're lying," she whispered, even in her confused state.

Naomi's laughter rang out with unhinged malice. She gripped Aurora's chin, her voice dripping with dark mockery. "You brought this all upon yourself! Everything that belonged to the Sage family should have been mine. You were just in my way."

The brutal truth shattered what remained of Aurora's composure. A decade of misplaced hatred and blame crashed down around her.

Back then, driven by a misguided sense of gratitude for Scott Watson's supposed life-saving act, she had impulsively broken off her engagement to Maverick Parker. But marrying Scott had only marked the beginning of her nightmare.

Her family's fortune was stolen, her reputation destroyed, her ability to bear children taken from her—all because she had trusted the wrong people and blamed the wrong man. The realization of her terrible mistake consumed her with guilt and regret that threatened to drive her truly mad.

"Do you have any idea how happy I've been these last ten years?" Naomi's voice rose with manic energy. "Scott, the Sage fortune, the social status—it was all mine. I was the woman everyone envied. But Maverick ruined it all!"

Naomi's cold fingers traced down Aurora's cheek, her sinister intent bursting to the surface. "Want to see him? Don't worry. He'll be joining you very soon."

"What do you want?" Aurora thrashed, desperate to break free, but there was no escape.

Naomi's face twisted into a cruel smile as she doused the entire room with gasoline. Her eyes glowed with murderous intent. "Your devoted hero is on his way right now, running straight into our little trap. He's so desperate to save you, he's willing to die for it!"

She let out a dark laugh as she recklessly set the curtains ablaze. "Go join your loved ones in hell. You drove me to this!"

"You're insane!" Aurora yelled in terror.

With a triumphant gleam in her eyes, Naomi turned to leave without another word - she wasn't foolish enough to die here too. But Aurora managed to snag her legs with the chain.

"I'll kill you!" Aurora screamed with all her remaining strength, even as the flames began to lick at her dress. The pain didn't matter as long as she could drag Naomi down with her.

They grappled in the growing inferno, Naomi's face contorting with terror as she realized she couldn't escape. "Let go, you crazy bitch! Let go!" She grabbed a nearby scalpel and slashed wildly at the crazed woman who refused to let her go.

Aurora watched as the flames engulfed Naomi, transforming her into a human torch. Death held no fear for Aurora now. Her only regret was that it would take another lifetime to repay her debts to her family and to Maverick.

Suddenly, the window exploded inward in a shower of glass. A powerful kick sent the burning form of Naomi flying deeper into the flames.

Through the smoke and fire stepped a figure in a black coat, his presence commanding even in the chaos. Maverick's eyes locked onto Aurora, deep and fathomless, blazing red with barely contained fury.

"Get out of here," Aurora begged, her voice breaking. "Don't throw your life away for me. I'm not worth it."

A terrible crack split the air as a burning beam broke free above them. Maverick moved without hesitation, crying out "Watch out!" as he covered her body with his own.

The impact drove them both to the floor. The beam had struck him viciously, slamming into the back of his head and crushing down on his shoulders. Blood from his head wound dripped onto her cheeks.

He fought to keep his eyes open, drinking in the sight of her. In all his dreams of finding her again, he had never imagined this bitter reunion.

The vibrant woman he had loved for twenty years had been reduced to this broken shell, chained and bleeding, still trying to save him even as the flames closed in.

"You idiot," Aurora sobbed, feeling his strength failing. "Why... why would you..."

His handsome features blurred as smoke filled her lungs. Her consciousness fading, the sound of his labored breathing grew distant as the fire claimed them both, united at last in their final moments.

Chapter 2 Starting Over

"Breaking news: Aurora Sage, heiress to Edge Technology, has been successfully rescued from her kidnappers. Sources report that the victim was sexually assaulted, with her family paying a staggering 100 million dollar ransom.

"At just twenty years old, Aurora is Ravin City's premier socialite, our very own princess. But who would marry our fallen goddess now that she's been so thoroughly ruined?" one reporter intoned.

The morning news broadcasts were dominated by Aurora's story, with every channel carrying live coverage of the shocking headlines.

In her private suite atop the hospital, Aurora sat by the window in a plain hospital gown, watching traffic flowing below. The reality of her situation felt like a dream. She had been given an impossible second chance—thrown back in time to age twenty, to this very moment in her hospital room.

In her previous life, this kidnapping had been the beginning of her downfall, transforming her from society's darling into its greatest scandal, her reputation forever ruined.

Everyone had convinced her that Maverick had orchestrated it all, furious at her breaking their engagement. She'd carried that hatred until her dying breath, only to learn he'd been her savior all along.

Aurora's thoughts swirled inward, trying to figure out the true mastermind. She doubted Naomi could have possessed that kind of power or influence at just twenty years old back then.

At the click of the door, she sensed someone approaching with deadly intent. As a cool breeze swept through the floor-to-ceiling window beside her, a violent force struck from behind—someone was trying to push her into empty air. Fifty-eight stories up, such a fall would leave nothing to identify.

Aurora's survival instincts kicked in. She gripped the windowsill with one hand while catching her attacker's wrist with the other, using the momentum to spin around and pin the attacker by the throat, dangling the figure over the precipice.

"Aurora, stop! Look at me!" Naomi's voice cracked with terror as she realized her position, the vertigo making her hysteric. "It's me. What are you doing?"

Their eyes met, and Aurora's grip tightened with murderous intent as she recognized her cousin. She couldn't forget the decade of torture in the mental hospital, couldn't forget how her family had been destroyed.

"You couldn't stand seeing me alive, could you?" Aurora's voice was ice-cold. "It must kill you to see me back safe and sound."

The door burst open as her auntie Evelyn Price rushed in with a horrified scream, followed by Aurora's father, Elias Sage, and two security guards.

"Good heavens! Aurora, what are you doing?" Evelyn cried out.

Naomi seized the opportunity to play victim, tears streaming down her face as she called out, "Mom! Mom, help me! Aurora's gone crazy!"

Elias waved the guards back, approaching his daughter carefully. "Easy now, sweetheart. What are you doing? Let her go. You're safe here."

At her father's gentle tug, Aurora's resolve crumbled. She released Naomi and turned to stare at him—alive again, when in her past life he had died with his hair turned white from worry, his heart broken by her choices.

"Dad," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

It was all her fault—blindly falling for Scott, breaking off her engagement with Maverick, breaking her father's heart... none of this would have happened if she hadn't been so willful.

"You're safe now. No one can hurt you anymore," Elias soothed, devastated by the changes in his once-vibrant daughter.

Aurora's eyes welled up with tears. "Dad, I'm sorry. I was wrong not to listen to you. I won't disappoint you again!" Her words carried the weight of regret.

Elias was taken aback by this sudden maturity. "You mean that? Then end things with Scott. I don't care if he played hero. I won't have a schemer for a son-in-law!"

"Consider it done, Dad," she replied.

From Evelyn's protective embrace, Naomi exchanged a worried glance with her mother. Aurora's behavior seemed to indicate a mind broken by trauma. Her easy abandonment of her supposed savior made no sense at all.

Elias's expression turned stern. "Just promise me no more dangerous stunts like hanging people out windows. Do you know how dangerous that was? What if something had happened?"

"She tried to kill me, Dad," Aurora said quietly, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked up at her father's commanding presence. "She pushed me toward the window when she thought I wasn't paying attention."

"That's not true!" Naomi clutched her heart, her tear-stained face a picture of injured innocence. "Uncle, I saw her on the windowsill and thought she was going to kill herself. I was trying to save her!"

Aurora watched Naomi's insincere performance with contempt. Her eyes, usually bright as starlight, were now filled with an icy gleam. "Why would I want to end my own life?"

Naomi felt a chill run down her spine and choked up, "You've been pampered all your life, and now your reputation is in ruins. I'm afraid you might not be able to handle it and do something drastic."

Aurora smirked and said, "Why would I throw away my life after fighting so hard to keep it? That would destroy Dad." Her voice dripped with contempt. "Or was that your plan - drive me to suicide so you could inherit everything? Maybe you even arranged the kidnapping."

Naomi choked back a sob, her composure cracking. "How can you say such things? We all know Maverick did this because you humiliated him—falling for your bodyguard, breaking your engagement. You've nearly ruined the Sage family!"

"Enough, Naomi!" Evelyn cut in smoothly, ever the concerned aunt. "She's been through too much already."

She turned to Aurora with practiced sympathy. "Aurora, we're your family. We'd never hurt you."

Aurora's gaze turned skeptical. She'd once believed in Evelyn's maternal act, especially after losing her own mother. Her father had taken in his late wife's sister and niece out of kindness.

But in her past life, Evelyn had poisoned her father against her while Naomi had imprisoned and ultimately burned her alive.

Aurora turned to her father, searching his face with desperate intensity. "Do you really think the Parkers did this? That I somehow deserved it for being willful?"

Chapter 3 Rising Above The Ashes

Elias let out a sigh. "The Parkers are our only real enemies," he said wearily. "Going against them means the end of everything we've built. But after what they did to you..." His hands clenched into fists. "I'll spend my last breath getting justice."

"It wasn't Maverick," Aurora interrupted, her voice steady. She stood straighter, meeting her father's eyes. "And I wasn't violated."

The truth she'd been too ashamed to speak in her past life rang clear in the hospital room.

Though bruises marked her slender calves and rope burns circled her wrists, she had protected what mattered most—because someone had given everything to keep her safe.

Stunned silence followed her declaration. Her father stared at her, mouth slightly open. At the edge of her vision, she caught Naomi's face twisting with barely concealed shock.

Naomi's thoughts swirled with confusion. 'How could this be possible? Twenty hours with those thugs, and she emerged untouched?' she wondered.

"I want an official medical examination," Aurora continued firmly. "The public deserves to know the truth."

Before her time travel, shame had sealed her lips, letting rumors destroy not only her reputation but her father's spirit. She wouldn't make that mistake again.

Tears of relief welled in Elias's eyes, though concern creased his brow. "Why put yourself through more scrutiny?"

She replied, "Because I won't let our family's reputation be tarnished by lies." This time around, she would live with her head held high.

Elias squeezed her shoulder. "I'll bring in the best doctor tomorrow."

Despite his usually stern demeanor, he swelled with pride at his daughter's resilience. He had been worried she wouldn't bounce back, but seeing her grow up overnight and hearing her brave words, his heart went out to her.

"Thank you, Dad," she said quietly.

"But if not the Parkers, then who?" He shook his head. As CEO of Edge Technology, Yuresland's largest tech company, he knew few would dare target his only child. "Who else has that kind of power?"

Aurora's gaze slid meaningfully to Naomi, making her shift uncomfortably.

"Dad, give me time. I'll uncover the truth," Aurora said.

"Absolutely not." Elias's tone brooked no argument. "Let me handle this. You focus on recovery. The guards are right outside if you need anything."

She nodded and allowed herself one more moment in her father's embrace before letting him go, though she had no intention of staying on the sidelines.

Elias felt a weight lift off his shoulders and led Evelyn and Naomi out of the hospital room. After everyone had left, Naomi slipped back in.

She clutched Aurora's hand with manufactured concern. "I didn't mean to upset you earlier. I was just shocked you'd think I could hurt you. Are you sure you want to be alone?"

Aurora withdrew her hand without sparing Naomi a glance. "Yes, I'm quite sure."

"What happened in there?" Naomi pressed. "Why defend the Parkers? And how can you be so cold to Scott? He saved your life, and now he's in intensive care. Don't you have a heart?"

"He's my bodyguard. Protection is his job." Aurora's tone was arctic.

"But you swore you'd only marry him. This is perfect. Use his heroic rescue to win your dad's approval." Naomi's hands tightened into fists. She couldn't believe Aurora could be so cruel and say something so callous.

"I was naive. Some bodyguard he turned out to be." A bitter smile touched Aurora's lips. "Don't worry, his medical bills are covered."

In her past life, believing Scott as her savior had led her to push for his acceptance into the Sage family—a mistake that had cost everything.

Naomi stared at her in disbelief. "When did you become so heartless about love?"

Naomi was stunned by Aurora's sudden coldness. Before the kidnapping, Aurora had been completely infatuated with Scott. Now, even after he had "saved" her, she showed no gratitude or affection. Instead, she was determined to cut all ties with him.

"If you're so concerned, he's all yours." Aurora noted Naomi's every reaction with clinical detachment. "Now leave. I need rest."

After Naomi was kicked out, her face darkened behind the closed door, her eyes burning with hatred. She looked ready to tear Aurora apart.

Alone at last, Aurora let her mask slip. Her reflection in the window flickered against the city lights as a decade of suppressed hatred surged through her veins.

The kidnapping was still hazy—she'd been drugged, waking only after her rescue. But one memory remained crystal clear: someone taking a bullet meant for her.

She'd been manipulated into believing Scott was her savior while despising Maverick, the man who had truly protected her and had ultimately died for her. That untouchable man who stood at the pinnacle of society had sacrificed everything in her name.

Desperate to know his fate in this timeline, she quickly freshened up, using makeup to mask her pallor before changing into clothes from the closet.

When she emerged in sunglasses and heels, her footsteps echoing against the marble, the guards couldn't help but stare.

Everyone expected the boss's sheltered princess to be crushed by trauma. Instead, she seemed to radiate an even fiercer strength.

"Miss Sage, we can't let you leave," one guard stepped forward.

Aurora arched an eyebrow. "Try to stop me?"

"No, but we're responsible for your safety," he replied.

"You're fired," she cut him off coolly. "Follow me and I'll report you for harassment."

She strode past them, spine straight and head high. Her natural authority left them paralyzed long enough for her to disappear around the corner. By the time they recovered, she was already gone.

Chapter 4 Finding You Again

Aurora slipped out the hospital's back entrance, careful to avoid the media swarm. Her destination was clear: Cloud Island, Maverick's private sanctuary. Few knew of its existence, but she and Maverick had grown up together until she turned eighteen, before everything fell apart.

The shoreline's security was impenetrable. Nothing moved without Maverick's explicit permission.

As she approached through the darkness, the guards' expressions shifted from alert to shock. Word traveled quickly up the chain of command, and soon Howard Webb, Maverick's right-hand man, appeared at the dock, his face tight with barely contained anger.

"Haven't you caused enough trouble?" Howard said, his voice cold. "Why make him suffer more?"

Aurora's stomach dropped. "What's wrong with him?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"He's barely alive, no thanks to you," Howard replied, his lip curled in disgust. "Go home, Miss Sage. You gave up your place here when you broke the engagement."

"I have to see him," she insisted, her voice shaking, her heart clenching painfully. "If you turn me away, I'll throw away the life he saved."

Howard studied her for a long moment. "So you know it was him," he said finally. "At least you have that much sense left." His fists clenched as he conceded. "Fine. But hurt him again, and you won't leave this island alive."

Despite his strong reluctance, Howard had no choice but to agree. His boss called for this woman through the whole surgery. She was still his everything.

After Aurora followed Howard up the island road, the estate loomed before them, grand and imposing. They walked in silence through long corridors until they reached Maverick's room. Black-suited guards flanked the door while a team of international doctors hovered nearby, ready at a moment's notice.

Howard took a covered tray from a hovering servant and passed it to Aurora. "He hasn't touched food since regaining consciousness. Make sure he eats, then leave. Don't try playing any tricks."

Aurora stepped into the room, her heart thundering. Amber wall sconces cast a soft glow, their light competing with the steady blink of medical monitors. Maverick lay still, IV lines snaking into his hand, his brows furrowed even in sleep, his lips bloodless.

The sight of him, this invincible man brought low for her sake, made her chest ache. She'd repaid his sacrifice by breaking their engagement for Scott, of all people. Her fingers reached out, almost of their own accord, to touch his face.

Maverick was in a restless sleep. In this new timeline, he'd been fighting death daily since saving her, haunted by dreams of her previous life's torment in the flames.

He'd sworn to keep her close this time, regardless of her hatred, to never again let her supposed loved ones destroy her. Every moment apart was torture, dreading what might befall her.

The scent of her perfume teased his senses. His eyes snapped open, one hand shooting out to grasp her jaw as he pulled her onto the bed, the other hitting the lights.

For a moment, he thought he was still dreaming, but there she was, her delicate face inches from his, clear eyes brimming with tears, skin glowing with youth. The sight pierced his carefully constructed walls.

"Aurora?" His voice cracked. "How..."

Blood welled where he'd torn out his IV, but he barely noticed, his eyes rimmed red as he held her, desperate to confirm she was real in his arms. In his previous life, he'd died first, never knowing if she'd survived.

"You idiot." Aurora choked on the words, her fists beating against his chest. "Why did you risk yourself like this? Did you think playing the mysterious hero would make me grateful?"

He grimaced, muscles tensing beneath her assault. "Who told you I saved you?" he asked, his voice laced with pain.

"Stop lying. Let me go," she said, tears spilling down her cheeks as she tried to pull away, stung by his coldness.

His arms locked around her. "Never," he whispered, the single word holding volumes.

Only then did she notice the bandages covering his chest and shoulder, now staining red from their struggle. "You're bleeding," she said, her voice laced with concern. "Let me get the doctor."

She scrambled to get up, but he grabbed her wrist, holding her in place.

"Who gave you permission to come?" he asked, his voice cold. "Just wanted to see me weak?"

"No," she said. "I came to apologize."

He backed her against the wall, pinning her hands above her head. "For what?" His cold, pale lips were pressed against her cheek, his deep voice rumbling in her ears.

She fought through her trembling, trying to catch a glimpse of his face, but she couldn't break free. "For getting you hurt," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "For breaking our engagement."

"Playing nice now?" His eyes stormed with emotion as he gripped her chin, turning her to face him. "Thought you couldn't stand the sight of me."

She had loathed him in her past life, and wouldn't even look his way. The contrast between then and now must be jarring.

Aurora's tear-filled eyes met his as she grasped his arms. "I don't want to break it anymore," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "If I say I want to marry you... would you still have me?"

The words took all her courage, but she meant them. His blood shed for her was a debt of honor she would spend her life repaying.

Maverick went still. His hands tightened on her waist as his intense gaze bore into her. "Do you understand what you're offering?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Chapter 5 No Walking Away

Pain pierced through Aurora's heart at his question. "Breaking our engagement was a mistake," she said softly, her quiet voice cutting through him like a winter wind.

Maverick's fingers tightened around her wrist. "Let me guess. Your precious bodyguard dumped you?" he asked, his tone laced with sarcasm.

She met his haunting gaze, her chest tight with guilt and concern. "Would you still want me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

His expression remained cold, though the veins standing out in his clenched fist betrayed his tension.

Reality crashed over Aurora. Of course, her reputation lay in ruins and someone like Maverick could never accept a disgraced socialite like her.

His silence made her squirm. "I get it," she whispered, straightening her spine. "Just take care of yourself. I'll go."

His control snapped. In one fluid motion, he had her pinned against the wall, his body caging her in. "Don't even think about regretting this," he growled, his eyes burning into hers as he braced his arms on either side of her head. "You've lost your chance to walk away, Aurora."

'The nerve of this woman to stir me up and try to leave as if nothing had happened,' he thought furiously. The urge to shake her warred with his need to keep her close.

"Please," she begged, afraid to push him away and worsen his injuries. "You need to let go."

"Having second thoughts already?" he asked. "Words can't be so easily taken back." Pain bleached his face white, but he refused to yield.

Aurora couldn't bring herself to refuse, pleading, "Please, let me go. You need to get to the bed... you're hurt!"

He refused to budge. "Answer me first. Are you planning to run?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.

Guilt flooded her like acid. "No," she replied, tears spilling from beneath her lashes.

Something shifted in his expression. The color drained from his face as fresh blood darkened his bandages. Still, his grip never wavered.

"Maverick!" She caught him as he swayed, panic clawing at her throat. "God, don't do this to me."

Blood seeped from his wounds, quite a shocking sight.

"Takes more than this to kill me," he ground out, frustration evident beneath the pain.

She didn't wait for more. Pushing past him, she ran barefoot to the door. "Doctor! We need help in here!" she called out.

"Aurora, don't you dare leave!" Maverick rasped, his face pale, eyes red, voice hoarse. He was furious, desperate to pull her back.

The medical team and Howard rushed in, only to freeze at the sight before them. Blood soaked through the bedding where Maverick's wounds had reopened. He lay there, eyes shut tight in agony, barely able to move, a far cry from the invincible man they had always known.

Howard's rage exploded. He physically forced Aurora from the room as doctors in sterile gear swarmed the bed. The grim set of their mouths spoke volumes.

"Was this your plan?" Howard snarled, backed by a wall of black-suited security. "To finish what the kidnappers started? We spent twenty-four hours just keeping him alive. Did you know there's still a bullet lodged by his heart?"

"What?" The words hit her like physical blows. "A bullet... by his heart?" she repeated, her voice laced with shock. She was haunted by the image of Maverick covered in blood, a chill running down her spine.

"It's none of your concern anymore. Get out and stay out, you manipulative witch!" Howard snapped.

He didn't hesitate to show Aurora the door, but she planted her feet, desperate to wait for Maverick to wake, to ensure he'd survive.

But one woman stood no chance against an island full of people who saw her as the enemy. They forced her out before she could even check his condition.

A bullet near Maverick's heart. The revelation echoed through her mind like a death sentence. She could only pray Maverick would pull through. Even if this second chance proved just a dream, she'd trade anything for his survival.

Aurora returned to her hospital looking like she'd walked through a war zone. Chaos greeted her outside her VIP room, her father's fury cutting through the closed door.

"What the hell are you all doing? You can't even protect one person. I swear, if anything happens to Aurora, you'll all pay!" Elias shouted.

Evelyn's placating tones followed. "She's not a child anymore, she'll be fine."

"Fine? She has no idea what dangers are out there. Do you know how worried we've been?" Elias shot back.

"Uncle." Naomi's voice dripped with false concern. "What if she's done something desperate? I mean, even if she was... violated... we'd support her. But now everyone online knows about her upcoming examination, and she vanishes? This only feeds the rumors."

"Who's running away?" Aurora's voice sliced through their speculation.

All eyes turned to find her in the doorway—bloodied, disheveled, but standing tall with steel in her spine.