Chloe's eyes flickered, panic flashing through them. "Take back what I'm owed"-what the hell did Jessica mean by that? Was she planning to shove her into the lake too?
She instinctively tried to yank her hand back. The way Jessica had grabbed her wrist just now-quick, precise, and strong-it wasn't normal. If Jessica really wanted to push her into the water, it'd be a piece of cake. And the worst part? She couldn't swim at all.
Chloe's gaze darted around, searching for a way out. Jessica had her back to the pond, while she was standing right in front-technically, she had the upper hand here.
"Jessica, let me go! I get it now, I blamed you for nothing! I'm not mad anymore, really! Just let go of my hand first!"
"Oh? You're over it that fast? That's not really your style, is it?"
"I know... Alan came to find you. This isn't on you." Chloe stammered, clearly forcing the words out. She wasn't thrilled about saying any of this, but she needed her hand free if she was going to do what she planned.
Jessica finally pulled her gaze back from the distance and loosened her grip on Chloe's wrist.
A dangerous gleam flashed across Chloe's eyes in an instant. "Jessica, go to hell!" she screamed, shoving Jessica with all her strength.
Same move, same expression-just like fourteen years ago. She meant it. She really hated Jessica to the bone.
Why was Jessica born as the precious princess of the Southern family, adored by Alan, while she had to grow up as the pitied orphan, the unwanted cousin everyone looked down on?
Back then, she had already wanted her dead. If only a servant hadn't shown up unexpectedly, she wouldn't have had to pretend to panic and call for help.
But today? Today there was no one around. She had made sure of that-no servants anywhere nearby when she walked in.
Chloe watched as Jessica crashed into the lake, water splashing up and hitting her face. A cold smirk crept up her lips, and then-smack-her palm landed hard on her own cheek. Perfect. Now when people showed up, she'd say Jessica attacked her out of jealousy, and in the scuffle, she slipped and fell in.
Flawless plan. She was actually impressed with her own genius. But... why was Jessica smiling? That smug, knowing grin-what the hell?
Could she actually swim? That look... it was like the grin of someone who already won.
So cold. The moment her body hit the icy water, Jessica's first thought was just that-cold. Maybe she should've picked summer to do this. Damn, it was freezing!
She started to regret making this call. She should've thought of a better way-maybe piss Chloe off enough to make her hit her, or just finish her off herself-instead of reminding Chloe about that drowning incident.
Damn it! Her leg cramped! In water this cold, it felt like cold sweat still broke out. Nobody knew that, apart from her combat training, she'd also taken up swimming over the past four years. No matter the situation, she'd never let herself drown... but this time, things were way off track.
Her leg hurt so bad she couldn't move. Her body kept sinking, water rising past her neck, her chin, her nose-
Her last sight was the smug smile on Chloe's face.
Her heart went ice-cold. Four years ago, she'd pinned her hopes on the wrong person. And now? He hated her so much...
She didn't even dare let her thoughts go further.
Paul, where are you? Please, save me! Water covered her completely. She couldn't make a sound.
Shit! She should've listened and practiced diving properly. A face flashed in her mind-that devilishly good-looking one. Not even her miracle lamp could help her now.
Cold water filled her lungs. It hurt. So bad. And in that moment, she truly believed she was going to die.
Out of nowhere, a pair of arms wrapped around her-like she'd found the one thing that could save her. Clinging on tight, she wrapped herself around him. His icy lips pressed on hers, passing her a breath of air.
Eyes shut, she took in that air like her life depended on it. Because it did. There was still so much she hadn't done, she couldn't die now.
Then came the rush of cool wind-he had pulled her to the surface.
The cold wind slapped her wet body, making her shiver uncontrollably. She choked and coughed, desperate for oxygen. Her arms wrapped tight around his neck, like she was terrified he'd drop her.
"Paul... it's freezing..." she murmured, stuck to him, trying to soak in every bit of warmth.
Suddenly, a strong hand shoved her away, and she slipped under again. Instinctively, her eyes opened-just in time to catch the furious storm on the man's face!
An arm shot out, catching her by the shoulder, stopping her from going under again. His rage finally exploded. "You'd better take a good look at me!"
Alan. It was Alan. She hadn't planned for this-but somehow, in the back of her mind, she had.
"Say it. Who am I?" His grip tightened, so hard it felt like her bones were about to snap.
"You're Alan! You're Alan..." she gasped, body trembling from the cold, her shoulder aching where he held her.
"Alan, let me take Jessica," Paul called from the shore, stretching out a hand.
Jessica instinctively reached for him-but Alan yanked her back with one strong pull.
