I never expected the night to end like this. One minute the garden was full of laughter and music, the next it was Beatrix’s scream cutting through the air.
People rushed toward the lakeshore as she flailed in the dark water. Walter didn’t hesitate—he ripped off his suit and plunged into the lake like some hero in a story. He held her tight, his arms around her as if she were the most fragile thing in the world.
I stood frozen, my heart pounding. By the time he dragged her out onto the damp bank, Beatrix was trembling in his arms, water streaming from her gown. She looked like a doll, so pitiful, and her eyes wide with tears.
“W-walter…” her voice shook. “Why did she do that to me? If I upset you, Rosine, you could’ve just said something. You… you know I’m terrified of water because of those kidnappers who once left me drowning in a pool for fun. Why did you push me?”
The crowd gasped. My lips parted to defend myself, but before I could speak, my father’s sharp voice tore through the night.
“Rosine! How dare you lay a hand on your sister?”
He shoved me hard. My heels slipped against the slick grass at the edge of the lake, and the next thing I knew, the freezing black water swallowed me whole.
I can’t swim.
The cold was merciless, clawing at my chest, dragging me down into the heavy dark. I kicked and thrashed, but the lake pulled me deeper, panic ripping through me. Above, voices blurred together… gasps, whispers, maybe even laughter.
I forced myself upward, coughing as I broke the surface, choking on water. My eyes burned, my chest screamed for air.
And through the blur, I saw her. My father and mother, standing on the bank with their arms folded, glaring at me like I was filth.
“Stop the act, Rosine,” his voice was hard as stone. “You’ve always been a curse on this family. Letting Beatrix be kidnapped wasn’t enough? Now you try to drown her too? We should’ve left you the day you were born.”
The words hit harder than the freezing water.
My gaze darted back to Walter. Surely… surely he wouldn’t just let me die. He knew I couldn’t swim. He might not love me, but I wanted to believe he wasn’t heartless.
But then he opened his mouth.
“Do you even know Beatrix is pregnant?” His voice dripped with anger. “You could’ve killed her and my child. How could you?”
I shook my head frantically, trying to speak, but the lake stole my words. My body shook from the cold, my lungs screamed for air.
Walter’s jaw tightened. “Stay in there tonight. Maybe then you’ll realize what you’ve done.”
And just like that, he carried Beatrix away, her wet hair plastered to his shoulder. She clung to him like she belonged there, casting me one last look of triumph.
The guests drifted off. My parents left without a backward glance. Soon the garden was empty, the night air heavy with silence, broken only by the slow lapping of the lake against the shore.
I kicked weakly, but my arms felt like lead. The water was too heavy, too cold. My body wanted to give up until the darkness crept closer, slow and steady.
And then, suddenly, a splash. Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me up through the black water.
Who was it? Who saved me?
***
When I finally opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the ceiling of a private hospital room. Everything felt heavy, like my body was made of stone. Even breathing hurts.
I turned my head slowly and froze when I saw Walter sitting right there beside me. His hair was a mess, shirt wrinkled, like he hadn’t slept at all.
The second our eyes met, his whole face brightened like he was the most devoted husband alive.
“Rosine, thank God you’re awake,” he said quickly, squeezing my hand. “I’m so sorry I left you last night. I didn’t want to, you know that. But Beatrix wasn’t feeling well and Cali was out of town. I had no choice but to rush her to the hospital. She’s carrying our future heir, sweetheart. I couldn’t risk anything happening to her baby.”
He sighed, lowering his voice like he was being kind. “You understand, don’t you? The family would blame you if something happened to that child. Even your parents wouldn’t forgive you. I did it to protect you too.”
His eyes softened, almost pleading, like he wanted me to nod and accept it all.
I just stared at him. My chest hurt, but I forced myself to keep quiet. I wasn’t giving him the satisfaction of my tears anymore.
For a second, his smile faltered. Then he tried again, brushing his thumb over my hand. “Please don’t stay upset with me. You’re my wife. I care about you. I really do.”
I didn’t answer. I just turned my head toward the window, watching the sky, letting the silence swallow us both.
