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Chapter 3 The Gift

Author: Rich Cabbage
On the morning of my third day in the hospital, I was discharged.

I had planned to go home and pick up a few things after I was discharged. But when Elara found out I was leaving, she and Everett showed up to pick me up, acting all mysterious.

She covered my eyes with a silk scarf, her voice full of excitement. "I got you a present to celebrate your discharge."

…

After a twenty-minute drive, Elara took my hand and led me the rest of the way.

The stronger the smell of disinfectant became, the more uneasy I felt.

When she took off the blindfold, I found myself standing on a 33-foot diving platform, with a deep blue pool far below me.

My fear of water hit me with full force. The world spun around me, and my legs went so weak I could barely stand.

Elara put a hand on my shoulder from behind, her tone light. "Tessa, here's to your recovery. Once you jump from here, you'll be reborn. This is the best gift Everett and I could think of."

Everett stood below, looking up at me. His voice came from below, gentle and coaxing. "Tessa, don't be afraid. I'll catch you down here. You have to trust Elara and me. When have we ever hurt you?"

Crying, I shook my head and tried to step back, but Elara kept her hand firmly pressed against my shoulder.

My voice trembled. "It's too high. I really can't do this. Please let me down. Please!"

I remained on the platform for more than ten minutes, trembling uncontrollably, tears streaming down my face.

The team members below began whispering among themselves. Some pulled out their phones to record, while others laughed.

The gentleness on Everett's face finally disappeared. He frowned, impatience spilling into his voice.

"Tessa, are you going to jump or not? Do you have any idea how much thought we've put into trying to help you get over this? Why do you always have to ruin the mood? Why do you always have to embarrass me in front of everyone?"

Before he could finish, I felt a powerful shove from behind.

Elara appeared to pat me encouragingly on the back, but she was actually pushing me hard toward the edge.

I screamed as I fell through the air. The wind filled my ears, and fear overwhelmed me.

The impact when I hit the water made my ears ring. Water rushed at me from all sides and swallowed me whole.

It filled my nose and throat, and my consciousness slowly faded.

I heard Elara screaming from the poolside, Everett shouting for help, and people splashing in the water.

…

When I woke up in the hospital bed again, it was already late at night.

Two people sat side by side at my bedside. She was crying, while he had an arm around her shoulders.

She kept repeating, "I was just trying to help her. I only gave her a little push. I never thought she'd fall."

Everett comforted her in a low voice. "It wasn't your fault. You were only trying to help her. Tessa just wasn't mentally strong enough. She let all our good intentions go to waste."

He looked up when he saw that I was awake. His gaze fell on me, and there was no concern or sympathy in it, only blame and disappointment.

"Tessa, you've really disappointed me."
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  • Drowned by Betrayal   Chapter 10 The Road Ahead

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  • Drowned by Betrayal   Chapter 9 The Last Conversation

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  • Drowned by Betrayal   Chapter 5 The Truth

    Meanwhile, after comforting Elara, Everett returned to my hospital room, only to find the bed empty.The nightstand was completely bare except for my hospital discharge papers.He picked them up and turned them over. On the back was a single line in my handwriting. "Thank you for fifteen years of 'kindness,' but I'd rather do without it."Everett stared at the words for several seconds before pulling out his phone and calling me.A cold automated message came through the receiver. "The number you are calling is currently busy."He called three more times. The same message played every time.He sent me a message on WhatsApp. It stayed on one gray check mark and never delivered.Everett rushed out of the hospital and drove straight to the apartment I had been renting.The landlord was cleaning the place with the door wide open. The apartment was already empty."Ms. Winslow contacted me yesterday to end the lease," the landlord said. "She had the cleaners haul everything away and

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