Three days later, it was Sally’s birthday.
Mr. Riley was determined to restore Sally’s reputation and had planned a grand birthday party on a luxurious cruise ship just for her. Sally wore a pure white haute couture dress and a small tiara on her head, radiating elegance with every movement, like a spoiled little princess.
Meanwhile, Nora was standing quietly by her side. She felt more like a maid than a daughter.
The hall was full of guests, toasts and laughter, with the atmosphere at its peak. That was when Mr. Riley made his announcement. Sally and Benjamin were officially engaged. Nora, who was uninterested with the news, stepped out onto the deck to enjoy the cool sea breeze.
The birthday girl, who had been surrounded by everyone inside, came out to find Nora.
“Nora,” she called for the first time.
Her voice was cold as she continued, “You’re such an eyesore. Why don’t you stay asleep? That way, I’ll always be the legitimate daughter of the Riley Family.”
Sally’s face twisted with jealousy, a feeling that didn’t match her flawless makeup.
“Mom and Dad don’t love you. Benjamin doesn’t love you. They’re all mine. You have nothing nos, so why are you still in the Riley Family, getting in my way?”
Sally’s words were sharp and she spoke with a controlled bitterness. Nora was left speechless. She had lost everything she once cared about and in that moment, she couldn’t find the words to defend herself.
Without warning, Sally suddenly stepped closer. Before Nora could react, Sally already pushed her off the side of the cruise ship. For a moment, Nora felt weightless. And then her mouth and nose were filled with cold, salty sea water.
The instant she touched the water, she felt the temperature leave her body. She choked, desperately struggling to stay afloat.
“Oh no, Nora jumped into the sea!” Sally’s panicked voice reached Nora’s ears, followed by the sound of footsteps and frantic conversation.
Mr. and Mrs. Riley rushed to the railing, calling out for a lifeguard to jump into the sea and save her.
“This is crazy, Nora! On such an important occasion … ” Sally’s voice trembled with worry, but it was clear she wasn’t concerned about Nora.
In a moment of “inspiration,” she turned to Mr. and Mrs. Riley and said, “Dad, Mom, why don’t you take this opportunity to teach Nora a lesson? After all, she can swim. Why not just wait for the lifeguard to save her later?”
Mr. and Mrs. Riley hesitated. Instead of calling for help, they paused and simply watched as Nora struggled in the sea. From Nora’s perspective, it was clear they had stopped the lifeguard from coming to her aid.
The waves crashed over her again and again, making it harder to breathe. Her strength was running out. Every time the waves hit her, she swam with the last bit of her willpower. But her body was failing her.
Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Riley remained indifferent, watching from the ship. Nora felt herself slipping into despair, with the water surrounding her like an endless abyss. Her eyelids grew heavy and dry and she could no longer fight against the darkness closing in on her.
The waves carried her away and just as she felt she would be swallowed whole, strong arms suddenly lifted her out of the water. Nora gasped for air, using the last of her strength to open her eyes. Standing before her was a man she had only seen in reports before … Sebastian.
When she woke up again, the sharp scent of disinfectant replaced the salty sting of the sea. Nora was in a hospital bed, hooked up to an IV drip. On the bedside drawer was a bottle of pills prescribed by a psychiatrist, meant to erase her memories.
Nora lay in silence for a moment, then called Mrs. Burnett to bring her diary and pen. She wrote the last sentence she would remember.
[My parents don’t really love me.]
Afterward, she took the pill with a sense of finality.
‘Goodbye, Benjamin.’
‘Goodbye, Dad and Mom.’
