Page 127 of King of Pride

There had been a time when he couldn't approach her because of Zoe’s accident and the coma that followed. When everything in his life had seemed to fall apart, he hadn't believed he would ever feel whole again.

But now, with her beside him, he finally understood how much he had needed her.

He had brought her into his home thinking marriage would simply give him the one thing he wanted most.

Instead, she had become something far more dangerous.

She had become the person he couldn't imagine living without.

The thought of losing her was enough to make something feral twist inside his chest. He didn't know how to explain it, and he didn't want to. He only knew that he wanted her beside him for the rest of his life.

Maverick opened his eyes and blew out the candle.

Rose immediately smiled.

“Happy birthday, Maverick.”

She cut a piece of cake and held it out to him, waiting until he took a bite before speaking again.

“I really hope you live a happy life,” she said softly. “I hope you never have to experience any kind of sadness again.”

Maverick's gaze settled on her.

“Even though it's not my birthday, I'm still going to make a small wish for you.” Her voice trembled slightly, but she continued. “I hope you get everything you want in life. And I hope you live a life so happy that no one can ever take it away from you again.”

Something shifted in Maverick's expression.

His eyes softened, and for a moment, Rose thought she saw something painfully vulnerable beneath all that control.

The thought of someone having treated this man—this man she knew now, this man who could be so gentle with her—as though he were nothing more than a monster broke something inside her.

She couldn't hold herself back anymore.

Rose threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

Maverick immediately wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest until there was no space between them.

They stayed like that for several seconds.

Then, against her hair, he whispered the words he had kept buried for so long.

“I love you, Rose.”

Rose froze in surprise.

Maverick was the one who pulled back first. He kept his hands around her waist as he leaned back just enough to look at her, his eyes searching her face.

For a moment, Rose could only stare at him.

Maverick held her gaze, his expression unusually open and sincere. A hint of uncertainty flickered in his eyes, as though he was waiting to see how she would react.

“I’m in love with you,” he repeated, his voice softer this time.

A smile slowly spread across Rose’s face.

She didn't make him wait any longer. Leaning forward, she wrapped her arms around him again and whispered against his ear, “I love you too, Maverick.”

His arms immediately tightened around her, pulling her closer as a genuine smile finally broke across his face.