Chapter 1

The icy seawater engulfed me. The cold cut through my bones as I struggled desperately, clinging to the last shred of hope I had left.

Through the haze, I saw Elijah Jensen burst out of the captain's cabin and dive straight into the sea.

"Elijah! I'm here!" I screamed, waving my arms as hard as I could.

Even though my voice was drowned out by the roaring waves, his eyes found me at once. But the next second, he turned away and swam toward Kristen Langford, who was fighting to stay afloat. His voice was tight with panic as he shouted, "Don't be afraid, Kristen! I'm coming!"

Kristen leaned weakly against his chest, saying softly, "Eli, I'm so cold. A-Am I going to die?"

He frowned and pulled her closer.

"Don't say that. I won't let anything happen to you. I'll get you to a hospital," he replied before carefully lifting Kristen onto a lifeboat.

There was tenderness in his eyes, as if she were something fragile and precious.

With the last of my strength, I swam toward them, my trembling fingers digging into the edge of the lifeboat.

Suddenly, Elijah turned and slapped my hand away.

"Gwendolyn Clark! Are you seriously trying to make this about you right now?" His cold eyes locked on mine. "Drop the act. You can swim just fine. Besides, there are plenty of lifeboats. Go find another one."

I plunged back into the sea, choking on mouthfuls of saltwater until my throat burned.

For a moment, Elijah faltered. He started to reach for me, but Kristen caught his arm and let out a weak groan. "Eli… I don't think I can make it to the hospital. I-I can't breathe…"

All at once, the color drained from Elijah's face.

"You can take another lifeboat later. Kristen can't wait," he said over his shoulder.

Then, he gunned the engine and sped away in the lifeboat.

Amidst the roar of the engine, I coughed up the last of the seawater. I wanted to tell him that I wasn't pretending.

When I fell from the cruise ship, my leg slammed against the hull. It broke on impact, leaving me unable to swim. Even if I hadn't been hurt, the panicked passengers had already taken every lifeboat.

I watched helplessly as Elijah's boat vanished over the horizon, the waves slowly swallowing me whole.

It didn't matter. He had no intention of hearing my side of the story anyway.

I had loved him for three years, but to him, I was just a liar who was good at putting on an act. Then again, how could I ever compare to his childhood friend, who had known him all his life?

The lifeboat had room for four, but Elijah still hadn't pulled me aboard. That was when I understood there had never been room for me in his heart.

I closed my eyes and let the freezing water pull me under.

Moments later, my soul drifted toward Elijah's lifeboat, as if drawn by some invisible force.

Kristen's frail hands clung to his shirt. "Eli… It hurts. I can't breathe."

Elijah clenched and unclenched his fists at the sight of her pale, tear-streaked face.