Chapter 1

Elara and I, we were inseparable, the deadliest duo our special ops team had ever seen.

Until one mission, I drew the short straw to pose as her husband. But then someone sabotaged us, and our staged marriage became frighteningly real.

She blamed me for stealing the role of husband, a title meant for the man she truly loved.

I blamed her for marrying me out of pure spite, when she clearly didn't love me.

For five years, we were at each other's throats, practically wishing for the other's demise.

Until our old enemy, Ms. Obsidian, came seeking revenge. She cornered me on a luxury yacht, holding a gun to my head. "You die, or he dies, Elara. Your choice."

The moment the shot rang out, Elara lunged forward. She threw herself in front of me, tackling Ms. Obsidian, dragging her into the raging sea with her, taking her down with her.

As they plunged, I heard her last words: "If there's a next life, let's just be partners, okay? No more being husband and wife."

I watched, numb, as the sea churned with crimson ripples, then swallowed them whole.

The next second, the bomb beneath my seat reached zero.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back. Back to the day we drew lots.

I was a step ahead this time. I snatched the two mission slips. "No need to draw. I'll go undercover alone."

This time, I'd make sure she got her happy ending. I wouldn't be a roadblock to their love anymore.