"Mom, please... I beg of you, please don't put me through this. Please don't abandon me," I pleaded, my heart aching. The pain is unbearable, too much for me to endure.

"Abigail, my dear, please make me a promise," my mother whispered, gripping my hand tightly. Her voice trembled with weakness. "Promise me that you will be a good girl, promise me you will find strength and independence."

I shook my head, desperation in my eyes. "Please, don't leave me. Stay strong, Mom, I have no one else."

She mustered a smile and gently brushed my tear-streaked cheek. "You are not alone, my love. You will never be alone. You have Brooklyn and Landon, and don't forget Maverick. He will take care of you."

"Please, Mom, I beg you to stop. I can't bear the thought of marrying him," I protested. The last thing I wanted to consider at that moment was that man.

"Yes, you will. He will look after you, my sweeAbirt. Your father and I can no longer be here with you."

I sobbed, tears streaming down my face. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"It's for your own good, my sweeAbirt. Please, do this for me, for your father, and for yourself, Abigail," she whispered, planting a tender kiss on my forehead.

I continued to cry, my tears flowing more intensely. Here I was, in the hospital, watching my mother lying in bed, her body covered in blood. My father had passed away just moments ago, and now I was about to lose my mother too.

"Promise me, my dear, promise me that you will find strength. Being strong runs in our family, Abigail. And remember, Mama and Daddy love you. We will always love you, no matter what, and we will never leave your side. Always remember that," she said, her hands tightly clasped in mine.

No words escaped my lips. I knew she meant it when she said she would never leave my side.

"Her pulse is weakening," I heard the nurse say.

I gazed at my mother's face. Despite the immense pain she was in, she managed to smile, never releasing my hands.

"Mom, I love you so much. Please, don't leave me," I pleaded once more.

She smiled, her eyes slowly closing. "Mama loves you more than anything, my baby. Always remember that."

In an instant, her eyes shut completely. The steady beep of the life support machine filled the room. I could hear the nurse and doctor rushing to her side, attempting to revive her with an AED. I felt the nurse pulling me away from the bed. It was as if my life was being drained from me, slowly fading away.

But I felt nothing. I was too numb to absorb the news.

"Time of death, 19:35," the doctor announced.

And with that, October 20th, 2016 became the day I lost my life entirely.

Abi's POV

Who am I fooling? Life seems to harbor a deep resentment towards me. First, I lost my parents. Then, I found myself utterly alone. And to top it all off, I'm married to Maverick Turner, for heaven's sake!

Don't get me wrong. Maverick is an attractive man, especially when he's dressed in his suit. He exudes a certain magnetic appeal, but he despises my very existence.

Before my parents passed away, they made a promise that I would marry their best friend's son once I turned 22. Unfortunately, I lost them when I was only 20, and being their only child, I was left with no one. Yes, you heard it right. No one else is present in my life. No cousins, no grandparents, no aunts or uncles. It's just me.

Well, at least, that's what I know. Let me explain why.

When my father married my mother, his family vehemently disapproved of her. My paternal grandparents held a strong dislike for my mother, going as far as to oppose their union. When my father defied their wishes and eloped with my mother, they disowned him. Since then, my mother's family has become the only family my father had.

Sadly, my maternal grandparents passed away when I was 15. My mother had only one brother, who also passed away at a young age. So, I no longer have an uncle. As for my mother's extended family, well, I'm not aware of their existence. I have never met them or heard my mother mention them, except for her parents and one beloved aunt who passed away many years ago. My mother came from a small family, so technically, I am left with no one.

Perhaps one day, I will have the opportunity to meet my mother's relatives or even connect with my paternal grandparents? Only time will tell what the future holds.

Fortunately for me, Maverick's parents are incredible, kind-hearted people. I first met them a month before my parents' passing during a family gathering, though they claim I met Maverick when I was younger. Unfortunately, I have no recollection of that encounter.

After my parents' demise, Maverick's parents gladly took me under their wing, knowing I had no one else. Brooklyn, Maverick's mother, happens to be an obstetrician who assisted in delivering me into this world. That was the day my parents and Brooklyn's family became friends. Landon, Maverick's father, is a pediatric doctor.

You may wonder why Maverick himself isn't a doctor or involved in the medical field. Well, Maverick's grandfather built a successful company and was its CEO until his passing when Maverick was only 16. Due to Landon's medical background, the position was passed down to Maverick. However, Maverick never had a genuine interest in pursuing a medical education. Thus, when he turned 22, he assumed control of the company.

Two years after my parents' death, I married Maverick. Let me be honest; it wasn't the wedding I had envisioned. Even though our marriage felt somewhat coerced, I was determined to give it a chance. Unfortunately, Maverick didn't share the same sentiment. He still despises me and barely acknowledges my existence. Our wedding was painfully awkward. He showed no emotion as I walked down the aisle, and his happiness was nowhere to be found. Our first kiss as husband and wife lasted a mere two seconds.

We never went on a honeymoon, never experienced any romantic moments together, and don't even sleep in the same room. Two days after our wedding, he returned to work, consumed by his busy schedule. As a mere high school graduate, I couldn't find a job due to my lack of qualifications.

Being the CEO's wife is far from easy. Maverick attends numerous events, and I am expected to accompany him as his wife. We attend such functions at least once a week. Publicly, we must act as though we are madly in love, holding hands and sharing kisses, all while he despises every fiber of my being.

It has been six months since our wedding, and nothing has managed to break down the impenetrable wall between us. He remains cold and barely spares me a glance. In his eyes, I am practically invisible. I've tried to maintain a civil relationship, to play the role of his wife, but he continues to ignore me.

I guess he truly hates me with every ounce of his being, assuming he even possesses a heart.

"Move, will you?" Maverick's irritated voice jolted me back to reality as he stood behind me, visibly annoyed that I was blocking his path.

Quickly, I stepped aside. "Sorry."

He didn't utter a word as he opened the fridge and retrieved a bottle of juice. This was the first time in a while that he had spoken to me. Yes, he had been ignoring me for countless days.

I gazed at him, studying his tired and stressed features, likely the result of his demanding work. Yet, I couldn't help but find him captivating. How could someone who appeared so burdened manage to retain such allure?

Sensing my gaze upon him, his eyes met mine, and I swiftly averted my gaze.

Clearing my throat, I spoke up. "I prepared dinner. Would you like to eat now?"

Though our conversations were sparse, I still had a duty to care for him and prepare his meals. After all, I am his wife.

"I won't be staying long. I have to leave again," he replied, his gaze avoiding mine.

Confusion knitted my brows. "Again? Where are you off to?"

"Work," he answered curtly.

I sighed and poured myself a glass of juice, taking a sip. It had been four consecutive nights that he hadn't joined me for dinner.

"But it's already 7. Don't you want to rest, at least?" I inquired, observing him as he absentmindedly ran his hand through his hair. Despite everything, he looked remarkably handsome.

"I have better things to do," I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes. It was the most absurd statement I had ever heard. Who rejects the idea of rest? Well, apparently, he does.

"You're overworking yourself. Can't you see how exhausted you look right now? Taking care of your health should take precedence over work," I said, my voice tinged with concern.

"I didn't ask for your care," he snapped, annoyance flickering in his eyes as he finally glanced at me.

My frown deepened. Despite the sham of a marriage we were in, I did care for him, at least to some extent. After all, he was my husband—the man I was bound to spend my life with. And perhaps, just maybe, I cared for him more than I should.

"I won't be returning early tonight. Don't bother waiting for me," he uttered coldly before heading off to work, not even sparing a kiss or a peck on the cheek.

I sighed, watching him leave. This kind of life was incredibly dull. I had nothing to occupy my time, and the house remained eerily quiet despite the presence of four live-in maids.

"Are you alright, Ma'am?" Harper, one of the maids, asked as she entered the kitchen.

"I'm fine, Harper. And please, call me Abi. I've told you before," I replied with a small smile.

She returned the smile and joined me in washing the dishes. Harper, a 46-year-old widow, lost her husband just a year after their marriage—twenty-four years ago. She chose not to remarry, drowning in depression after her husband's death and feeling incapable of providing a stable environment for their child. Harper spent eight months in rehab, slowly regaining stability and remorsefully realizing her mistake in giving up her son for adoption. However, by then, her son had already been adopted by another family, and she had no idea of their whereabouts. The last she heard, they had moved to New York. Harper had never met her son again, burdened with constant self-blame for not being able to raise him. It pained me to witness her agony, and I wished I could help somehow. Harper had become a mother figure to me, caring for me and nursing me back to health whenever I fell ill—unlike Maverick, who displayed no care or concern.

"Harper, what time is Bennett coming here tomorrow?" I inquired, breaking the silence.

"Around 6, Ma'am. Mr. Turner has to leave for work at 7," she responded.

I nodded, contemplating my plans. "Alright. Could you please ask Bennett to drive me into town at 10?"

"Of course, Ma'am," she replied, her tone respectful.

I let out a sigh. "Harper, please, call me Abi. I'm not accustomed to this formal lifestyle. I want you to see me as your friend, not as your superior."

I despised being treated like a superior, especially by someone as kind and wonderful as Harper.

She smiled gently. "Abi, you're very different from Mr. Turner' previous wife."

I snapped my head towards her, astonishment etched on my face. "Wait, what? He was married before?"

Why had I not been informed of this earlier? I had been under the impression that Maverick had never been married.

Harper appeared taken aback by my reaction. "Oh, my apologies. I wasn't supposed to mention that."

"No, please, tell me. Was he married before me?" I pressed, my curiosity piqued.

Harper seemed nervous, her voice shaky. "Not exactly married, but he did have a fiancée, someone who was about to become his wife. However, she..." Her words trailed off as she hesitated to continue.

Before Harper could finish her sentence, Maverick walked into the room.

"Harper, could you please fetch my phone from my room?" he hurriedly asked.

Harper nodded in agreement. "Of course, Sir. I'll be right back."

She rushed upstairs, leaving Maverick and me alone. The revelation of Maverick's previous engagement lingered in my mind, leaving me lost in thought. He had been engaged before me, and yet, he hadn't deemed it necessary to inform me? To my knowledge, Brooklyn had insisted that Maverick had never been married. I had spent the past six months of our marriage completely unaware.

"What's the matter with you?" Maverick's voice broke through my reverie, his gaze fixed upon me.

I snapped out of my thoughts, meeting his gaze. Now he decided to speak to me?

"It's nothing that concerns you," I retorted coldly, averting my eyes from his.

He thought he was the only one capable of being cold, but he was mistaken. Two could play at that game.

"Whatever. I won't be coming back tonight," he declared, delivering a blow that stung me deeply.

He wouldn't be coming back tonight? Where would he stay? Would there be another woman by his side? I shouldn't have cared, but he was my husband, and these questions tormented my mind.

"Here's your phone, Sir," Harper returned, holding Maverick's phone in her hand before handing it to him.

"Thank you, Harper. By the way, I won't be returning tonight, so you can lock up after I leave," Maverick stated, showing no interest in bidding me goodbye.

Silence engulfed the room. I had tried to be civil, to care for him, to be a good wife. Yet, he refused to spare me a glance. He despised me, and that would never change.

Maverick's POV

Exhaustion washed over me as I finally returned home the next morning after a long and chaotic night at work. The desire to sleep overwhelmed me, and I was grateful that it was Saturday and I had no work to attend to. Finally, I could rest and take a break from the demanding job.

"Good morning, Mr. Turner. Your breakfast is ready," Harper greeted me as she caught sight of my arrival.

"Call Abi and ask her to join me. I'll go shower first," I instructed, making my way upstairs to my room.

"I'm sorry, Sir, but Mrs. Turner left earlier this morning," Harper informed me, causing me to pause in my tracks. Left? Where had she gone?

I turned around to face Harper. "Do you know where she went?"

She shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Sir. She only mentioned that she asked Bennett to drive her to town."

I nodded in acknowledgment. "Alright. Call Bennett and inquire about her whereabouts. Let me know once I'm back."

"Will do, Sir."

I entered my room and began undressing, preparing to take a much-needed shower. As the water cascaded over my body, my thoughts started to wander.