Chapter 1

In my bravest and most foolish year,I spent 99 days making the man I was obsessed with—the“Ice God”and captain of the New York hockey team,Damian Knight—finally fall for me.

Back then,I was the team's intern physical therapist,in charge of his conditioning.

At night,I was his lover.

Until the day I stood outside his mansion's wine cellar and overheard him laughing with his teammates.

“Damian,I heard you broke your season's celibacy for that little intern?Weren't you waiting for Chloe to come back?Giving up just like that?”

Damian sipped his whiskey,the ice clinking in the glass.His voice was just as cold.

“She's just an intern.Is she even worthy?The moment Chloe's back in New York,I'm proposing to her.”

The cellar erupted in laughter.

“Great!Hey,Captain,when you're done with her,let the rest of us have a taste.I hear she's good at taking care of people.”

A contemptuous smirk played on Damian's lips.“Whatever.Do what you want.”

I instinctively touched my still-flat stomach and vanished from his world that very night.

Five years later,at a grand New York charity gala,Damian Knight was about to bid on a legendary blue sapphire necklace called“The Queen's Heart”for his recently returned love,Chloe.

But a clear child's voice cut through the room:

“Sorry,my mommy likes that necklace.My bid is…no limit!”

…

The entire hall fell silent.

Damian,fiddling with an expensive watch on his wrist,shot a cold glare at the little boy standing on a chair.His tone was sharp.“Kid,do you even know what'no limit'means?Where are your parents?”

The little boy,Leo,put his hands on his hips and tilted his head up proudly.“Don't you dare mention that idiot who took too many pucks to the head!It's bad luck!”

The auctioneer on stage looked troubled.“Young man,the starting bid is five million dollars.Are you sure you want to participate?”

Guests started whispering.

“Whose kid is this?Talks big.If his dad knew he was bluffing here,he'd probably have a heart attack!”

For some reason,Damian's nose itched,and he let out a loud sneeze.

Chloe Vanderbilt frowned,walked over,and shoved Leo off the chair.“Where did this brat come from?No manners at all!This is a charity gala,not your playground!”

Caught off guard,Leo screamed as he fell backward.“Mommy,save me!”

The instant before he hit the floor,I pushed through the crowd and rushed toward him.

The heel of my stiletto snapped,and I fell hard,shielding the child with my arms.

Thankfully,I held Leo tightly,and he was unharmed.

When I stood up with him in my arms,a flash of shock crossed Damian's eternally calm blue eyes.His signature icy voice wavered for the first time.“Ava?What are you doing here?”