Page 126 of King of Pride

His eyes softened, though the old hurt remained buried beneath them.

Rose swallowed hard, fighting back another wave of tears.

“I don't feel disgusted by you,” she continued. “I feel disgusted by the people who did that to you.”

Her voice trembled as tears gathered in her eyes again.

“How could anyone do that to a little boy?”

“I don’t feel the pain anymore.”

Maverick’s voice was quiet as he carefully wiped the tears from Rose’s cheeks. He held her close until her sobs gradually faded, his hand moving gently over her back.

When she finally calmed down, Rose pulled away and sniffed, still looking at him with tearful eyes.

“I want you to celebrate your birthday with me.” She glanced around the room. “Look. I decorated everything for you, and you didn’t even notice.”

Maverick blinked, then finally looked around.

Only then did he seem to notice the decorations scattered throughout the living room. Balloons, ribbons, and a large birthday banner bearing his name covered the walls. The entire room had been transformed for him.

His eyebrows lifted slightly.

“So that’s why you left the office early?”

Rose nodded, a small smile returning to her face. She slipped an arm around his neck and leaned closer.

“Of course. Birthdays are important. I want you to have at least one day that feels special.” She paused, then smiled mischievously. “And I want you to make a wish.”

“A wish?”

“Yes.” She tapped his chest lightly. “A wish that only a divine being could fulfill, because you can obviously make all your own wishes come true. Someone has to keep you in check—and make sure you always have something left to wish for.”

A faint smile tugged at Maverick’s lips. He gave her a look that made her smile widen before he leaned down and kissed her.

It was brief and soft, but when he pulled away, Rose was still smiling.

Maverick turned toward the cake and reached for the candle.

“Wait.”

He paused and looked back at her.

“You can't blow it out yet.” She pointed at the candle. “Make a wish first.”

Maverick stared at her for a moment before finally indulging her. He drew in a slow breath, brought his hands together, and closed his eyes.

For a few seconds, he remained completely still.

Rose watched him quietly, her expression softening.

‘If wishes really do come true,’ Maverick prayed, ‘then let Rose live until my last breath—and let her spend every one of those years with me.’

His chest tightened with the depth of what he felt for her.

He had never known peace after losing his parents. For years, his life had been nothing but survival, anger, and the determination to reclaim everything that had been stolen from him. He had forgotten what happiness even felt like.

Then Rose had entered his life.