My hands trembled as I chopped vegetables, my vision swimming with tears. The knife slipped once, nearly slicing my skin, but I kept going. I just wanted it over with.
Helena approached hesitantly. “Seraphina… let me help you.”
I shook my head. “No. It’s fine. You don’t need to.”
She lingered anyway, fidgeting. I turned back to the cutting board, but my grip—already weakened by fever—failed me. The knife slipped again.
This time, it nicked Helena’s finger as she reached for the plate.
She gasped as blood surfaced.
Dominic rushed in instantly, fury blazing in his eyes. Without listening, his hand struck my face again—harder—sending me crashing against the counter.
“You hurt her?” he bellowed. “Are you out of your mind?”
“I didn’t mean to—she reached for—” My voice broke.
Helena whispered weakly, “It’s not her fault, Dominic. Please—”
But his rage drowned her out.
He hit me again. And again.
I lost count. Pain blurred into numbness. I could barely stand.
“Apologize!” he barked.
“No,” I rasped, blood coating my lips. “It wasn’t my fault—”
His expression turned icy.
Then he shoved me with brutal force.
My body flew backward, slamming into the sliding doors that led to the pool.
The water engulfed me instantly.
Cold. Heavy. Suffocating.
I thrashed, gasping, terror clawing through me. I couldn’t swim—not since the cruise. Water meant panic. Water meant death.
I clawed at the surface, choking. “Dominic! Please—help me!”
“Dominic!” Helena cried. “She’s drowning—do something!”
But he didn’t move.
He stood there, gripping Helena’s arm, his voice chillingly calm. “No. Let her drown. She brought this on herself.”
Water flooded my lungs. My body convulsed. Through the blur, I saw Helena clutch his sleeve, shaking her head. “Please, Dominic… don’t let her die.”
She looked concerned. Almost tearful.
But when his attention shifted for just a second, I saw it.
The smile.
Small. Cold. Victorious.
She wanted this.
She wanted me gone.
My strength faded completely as the water dragged me under, pulling me into darkness once more.
The fever hit me like a hammer after the pool. My body shook violently beneath the damp clothes clinging to my skin, chills sinking deep into my bones. Each cough tore at my throat as if shards of glass were lodged inside. My skin burned fiercely, yet I shivered uncontrollably.
And then she appeared.