Something flickered briefly in Dominic’s eyes, but his tone remained emotionless. He tilted his chin toward the swimming pool nearby. “See that pool?”
Hazel blinked, confused.
“Jump in,” he said flatly. “Hold your breath for ten minutes, and I’ll save your mother.”
Her face went pale. For a second, she couldn’t even breathe.
He knew she was terrified of water.
When she was eight, she’d been kidnapped by one of her father’s business rivals and thrown into a well. She’d nearly drowned that night. If her father hadn’t found her in time, she wouldn’t have survived.
Since then, she could barely handle being near water. Baths were the only exception. Even so, the memory of seaweed wrapping around her ankles, dragging her down while she struggled for air, still haunted her to this day.
She swallowed hard, voice trembling. “You know I’m terrified of water, Dominic. If I stay under, I’ll die.”
But he only sneered. “Then you’d better start preparing for your mother’s funeral.”
She stared at him, searching for a hint of mercy, but found nothing. The last of her love for him disintegrated right then and there.
Slowly, she stood up. Her expression was numb, her voice quiet. “Fine. I’ll do it. But you have to keep your promise. If I last ten minutes, you’ll save her.”
Without waiting for an answer, Hazel took a deep breath and dove headfirst into the pool.
Third Person's POV
The moment the icy pool water wrapped around Hazel’s body, the memory of drowning hit her like a vise tightening around her throat. Her chest burned as she fought the urge to breathe, but panic clawed at her mind until she couldn’t hold it anymore.
The second she gasped, water rushed into her mouth, flooding her lungs. She coughed, choked, and instinctively kicked upward, but she didn’t break the surface. Instead, she forced herself deeper, determined not to give up.
Her mother was still waiting. She had to last ten minutes.
Outside the pool, guests gathered at the edge, watching her desperate struggle beneath the water. Some turned away, pity and discomfort written all over their faces.
Caroline, on the other hand, stood off to the side with a faint, satisfied smile curving her lips.
Meanwhile, Dominic’s expression grew darker by the minute. His grip on the armrest tightened until his knuckles went white.
Finally, ten minutes passed.
“Get her out,” he ordered sharply.