Today is our fourth anniversary. I looked at the keys on the table. It was the red Ferrari I had prepared for my husband Jaxon since he had always wanted to have one, then my hand instinctively rested on my stomach.
We would have a baby soon.
Everything was perfect. Or it was—until my child hood best friend Levi stepped into my room without knocking. He had always been with me since we were kids.
“Ysobel,” he said tightly, voice hoarse. “Your husband is married to another woman.”
I blinked. Then laughed, because what else was I supposed to do with a statement that ridiculous?
“Levi, what kind of greeting is that? You’re supposed to say happy anniversary.” I turned back to the mirror, adjusting my earrings. “Is this because you think he’s not good enough for me again? Haven’t we talked about this when I married him? It’s been four years.”
“I mean it,” he said. “Jaxon is married, Ysobel. Married—and to his secretary, Candice. I found the documents. The records. He’s been lying about who he is!"
My heart stilled, but I refused to show it.
“Levi, stop.” I gave him a warning look. “Not today. Not ever. We’re done with this.”
“I’m trying to save you,” he bit out, frustration breaking through his restraint.
“Well, he saved me when I almost died. He loves me, Levi. And why would he even lie? It’s been four years—”
“Yes, four years yet not once did he talk about his family. You don’t even know where he came from. But you gave him your company. You let him handle everything. And he’s using you.”
“You’re saying this,” I whispered, “because you’re jealous.”
His jaw tightened. He didn’t deny it. He didn’t have to.
“Levi, please,” I said softly, “don’t ruin this for me. Stop ruining something good just because you… can’t move on from me.”
“Ysobel—”
“I’m done with this conversation.” I stepped past him, grabbing my coat, refusing to let the tremor in my hands show.
He reached for my arm, but I pulled away before he touched me.
The wind was cold by the pier, but I barely noticed. The yacht bobbed gently, decorated with soft lights and roses. Everything looked peaceful. Safe. I tried to ignore what Levi told me. That can’t be.
I stepped onto the dock, holding my small surprise box. “Happy anniversary, love,” I whispered to the empty air.
Then—
A force.
A shove.
Cold water swallowed me whole.
I kicked, but my limbs turned to anchors, heavy and useless. The trauma I spent years burying snapped its chains and dragged me under with it. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. The cold swallowed me whole.
Darkness pricked at the edges of my vision. And then—through the blur, through the rising panic—I felt the water shift above me. A splash. A body hitting the surface.
Someone jumped in after me.
For a moment I thought it was memory—an echo from four years ago, when a stranger pulled me out of a riptide during a storm. When I choked on seawater and opened my eyes to see the man who would later become my husband, Jaxon.
I remembered the warmth of his hands, the steadiness of his voice. The way he held me when I couldn’t stop shaking. The exact moment I fell for him.
And now—through the dark—those same arms wrapped around me again.
My fading mind clung to that one truth, even as consciousness slipped away—
If he was saving me again… then Levi was wrong. Jaxon loves me!
Faintly—very faintly—I heard voices. Echoes. Not underwater anymore… but somewhere between drifting out of consciousness and being pulled back into it.
“Are you insane, Candice? Why would you push her off the yacht? You could’ve killed her!”
Candice. His secretary. Levi’s accusation pierced through my fading awareness.
Candice answered, voice trembling with fury. “Because I want her dead already! Why can’t you just kill her so we can be together? It’s been four years yet we’re still faking everything!”
My heart stopped.
Jaxon growled, “Because you know I can’t. I still need her money—and the company. Didn’t I tell you to wait? I need to pay my gambling debts. Once I own everything, then I can go back to my family. My father will accept me again.”
Candice laughed bitterly. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? Not because you love her?”
“Of course not,” he snapped. “You know I don’t love her. It’s always been you. I’m just using her. Using her money. Can’t you trust me on this? No more trying to kill her until everything is settled.”
Candice exhaled sharply. “Fine.”
A door slammed.
Silence. And I slipped fully into the dark.
Until I heard the sound of beeping again. I blinked slowly, vision swimming until the room solidified.
A hospital. And sitting beside me—Jaxon.
His face was arranged perfectly: worried husband, devastated man, loving partner. It would’ve fooled anyone.
But not me. Not anymore…
“Ysobel,” he whispered, reaching for my hand. “Are you okay? God, I’m so sorry I was late. I shouldn’t have let you go alone.”
Something inside me cracked quietly—but I didn’t let it show. Not now.
“We still need to talk about the investment signing tomorrow,” he added softly. “You’ll be able to attend, right? We need you there.”
I stared at him. “It might need to be postponed.”
“But we can’t,” he argued instantly, too quickly. “How about I sign it? You can give me the authority—your signature—just for this one.”
“And why would I do that?” My voice was calm.
He blinked. “Because I’m your husband. And we’re moving everything into our joint ownership anyway, right?”
I forced a smile. “I want to rest, Jax.”
He finally backed off, leaned over, and kissed my forehead. “Of course. Rest. I’ll handle everything.”
He left. And the moment the door clicked shut, my fingers reached for my phone. My pulse thundered.
I called Levi. “Tell me what you know about Jaxon.”
