Chapter 1
Scarlett's POV
The Texas sun blazed mercilessly over the King family ranch's rodeo arena as thunderous cheers erupted from the packed stands.
I sat astride my Arabian mare, but irritation gnawed at me. Last night's scene of my father and my fiancé Preston Stone discussing our wedding date still haunted my thoughts.
DAMN this arranged marriage! What the hell was I to them anyway? A business asset?
"Scarlett, FOCUS!" Coach Jake bellowed from the sidelines. "The media's watching!"
Media? I snorted. Of course. Preston, that control freak, couldn't wait for the whole world to know I was his property.
In that split second of distraction, my mare suddenly reared up with a piercing whinny, her front hooves clawing at the air!
"Shit!"
I lost my balance and tumbled hard from the saddle, the world spinning wildly before my eyes. Just as I was about to slam into the dirt, a solid body lunged forward and caught me in strong arms.
"I've got you!"
Instinctively, I clutched his shirt, feeling his racing heartbeat against my palms. But the mare's hind hoof struck his ribs with a sickening thud. He grunted in pain, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"Don't let go!" I cried out in terror.
Then everything went black.
In the darkness, memories crashed over me like a tidal wave.
Rain-soaked night. Blinding headlights on the highway.
The deafening crash of twisted metal.
"Scarlett... I love you..." Colt shielded me with his body, his warm blood spattering across my face.
We'd been married for three years—respectful, distant. I thought that was what love looked like, until I found his belongings after the funeral—
Yellowed photographs. Handwritten poems. Ten years of hidden devotion.
"She is Texas's brightest star, and I am but a shadow in the dust. Yet even shadows yearn to touch the warmth of light..."
Ten YEARS! He'd loved me in secret for ten damn years!
From high school when he worked part-time at our ranch, every poem was a bleeding testament to his suppressed feelings!
Why didn't he ever tell me? Why hide his love so deep?
Before tears could fall, I snapped my eyes open.
Staring back at me was a pair of deep brown eyes—young, clear, filled with concern. That face...
Oh my God! This was twenty-two-year-old Colt Wilde!
"You okay, Miss?" he asked with genuine worry.
"This... this can't be possible..." I whispered in shock.
I was reborn! Actually REBORN! Back when Colt was just an ordinary cowboy!
In the ranch's medical room, the sharp smell of antiseptic fully awakened me.
Before I could fully process the miracle of rebirth, Preston burst through the door.
"Honey, you scared me to DEATH!" He rushed to my bedside, reaching for my hand. "I came as soon as I heard. Are you hurt?"
Seeing his fake-ass face ignited the fury from my past life. This goddamn bastard!
I instinctively pulled my hand away.
Preston froze, then asked with feigned concern, "What's wrong? Still shaken up?" He scanned the room. "I heard some cowboy saved you? Where is he? I need to thank him properly."
Remembering that disastrous marriage made my stomach churn. Preston Stone—Texas's youngest oil tycoon, gentleman on the surface, but a soul-devouring demon underneath. He'd systematically destroyed the King family oil empire, then ruthlessly discarded me.
If Colt hadn't helped me reclaim our family business at the crucial moment...
My gaze drifted to the corner.
Colt stood quietly there, having changed into a clean shirt, but his injured ribs made breathing difficult. His face was pale as death.
I knew he was fighting through the pain. My past-life memories reminded me—this man had unbreakable pride.
Preston followed my gaze, his expression darkening. Then he pulled a thick wad of cash from his expensive leather wallet and thrust it toward Colt.
Colt stiffly shook his head. "I don't need it."
Preston sneered and threw the bills at Colt's feet.
"Take it, cowboy. You earned it. You saved my fiancée—consider this your reward."
I watched Colt's jaw clench instantly, his fists slowly tightening. But he said nothing, didn't even glance at the money.
"I don't need your charity, Mr. Stone."
With that, he turned and strode toward the door.
"Wait!" I jumped from the bed, ignoring Preston's protests as I rushed outside.
The setting sun painted the sky crimson as I caught up with Colt on the gravel path leading to the parking area.
His silhouette stood tall and proud against the sunset, like a wounded king.
"Colt Wilde!" I called his name.
He stopped but didn't turn around. His broad shoulders trembled slightly from pain.
"Something else you need, Miss King?" His voice carried exhaustion.
I hurried to face him, a thousand emotions swirling in my chest. Past-life regrets, rebirth shock, and overwhelming gratitude for this man's devotion—all tangled together.
He turned around, his eyes complex—distant, guarded, yet holding a trace of that familiar... longing.
"Let me properly thank my savior," I said with a smile.
Then, throwing caution to the wind, I rose on my tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
Colt jerked back like he'd been struck by lightning, his bronze face flushing crimson, his breathing ragged and chaotic.
"Miss King... what are you doing..."
I stepped closer, closing the distance between us.
"That's your real reward," I smiled. "Your REAL reward."
