After hanging up, I returned to the home I had shared with Adrian for three years.
I began quietly erasing every trace of my life there.
I threw away every gift he had ever given me. The paintings, the jewelry, the luxury items I had once treasured—now they were nothing but proof of my own foolishness.
I deleted every photo of him from my phone.
I packed the few belongings I had brought with me into a suitcase.
Adrian probably thought my request for divorce was just a tantrum. To make it up to me, he started coming home more often.
He would hold me from behind like he used to and ask how my day had been.
He would bring back my favorite desserts and set them in front of me.
He would even set aside an entire day's work just to sit with me and watch old movies.
The more he did, the more disgusted I felt.
I moved like a puppet without emotions. Whatever he said, I followed—no resistance, no response.
My silence seemed to unsettle him.
"Serena, are you still upset with me?" He pulled me into his arms, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "I only sent you to detention so you could calm down. It was meant to teach you a lesson. If you behave, I'll take you out somewhere nice. Alright?"
He didn't wait for my answer. Instead, he dragged me straight onto a yacht that was about to set sail.
A lively party was already underway on board.
Perfume lingered in the air, glasses clinked, and laughter flowed easily.
Adrian led me through the crowd. Everyone raised their glasses to greet him—then turned those same eyes on me, filled with curiosity and disdain.
I pulled my hand free and walked out onto the deck alone.
The sea breeze tangled my hair and scattered the heaviness in my chest.
Behind me, the sharp click of heels echoed.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"Serena, you really don't know when to disappear, do you?" Vivian came up beside me, holding a glass of champagne. "Do you really think acting pitiful will make Adrian look at you twice? You're ugly and pathetic. You're not even qualified to be my replacement. Adrian will divorce you soon and marry me. You'd better have the decency to walk away on your own."
I kept my eyes on the distant horizon and ignored her.
"What, lost your voice?" Seeing no response, she grew bolder and shoved me. "I'm talking to you!"
This time, I didn't hold back.
I caught her wrist mid-shove, twisted it, and pinned her against the railing.
"Vivian, you'd better stop provoking me." I looked at her, my voice cold. "Or I won't be responsible for what I do next."
"You think you can touch me?" A flicker of panic crossed her face before arrogance returned. "Go ahead. Try it. Adrian will never let you off."
She suddenly cried out, "Help! Serena's gone crazy! She's trying to push me into the water!"
At that moment, the yacht lurched. My footing slipped, and my body tilted, about to fall into the sea.
Vivian screamed and tried to pull away, but I held on tight.
In the end, we both plunged into the sea.
The freezing water swallowed us whole. All we could do was struggle and gasp for air.
Adrian noticed the commotion almost immediately. When he saw who was in the water, his pupils shrank sharply.
Without hesitation, he dove in and swam toward us as fast as he could.
I drifted in and out of awareness, rising and sinking in the water. When I saw Adrian coming toward me, I thought—finally—there was hope.
But the next second, he swam right past me—straight toward Vivian, farther away.
He caught hold of Vivian and pulled her toward the yacht with all his strength.
From start to finish, he never once looked back at me.
Cold seawater rushed into my mouth and nose, stealing my breath. My limbs slowly went numb.
The water washed over my face again and again, stripping away the heavy foundation and pushing aside the sticky fringe.
Just as I was about to stop struggling and sink beneath the surface—
I saw Adrian, nearly pulling Vivian onto the yacht, suddenly pause as if sensing something, then turn his head sharply.
My body drifted in the vast ocean like a piece of debris.
His pupils contracted, shock and disbelief flashing across his face.
For a split second, it seemed he had seen Serena's face in the water transform into something unfamiliar—yet breathtakingly beautiful.
But it was only an instant.
He turned back, intending to get Vivian safely aboard first—then come back for Serena.
The moment he climbed back onto the yacht, my consciousness slipped into endless darkness.
I felt myself sinking… deeper and deeper.
Until a pair of strong arms caught me and held me steady.
