Chapter 1

When my mother was brought to shore, her body had turned cold, and she was no longer breathing. I hugged her while trembling, and I tried to wake her up, but she did not move at all.

Rina Shaker came over to us, looking annoyed, and kicked my mother's hand, which had fallen to the ground. "Stop the act. Everyone knows your mother is a professional swimmer. That little wave couldn't have drowned her. Your pitiful act won't convince me to give in so easily.

"There is no compromise when it comes to this. Anyone who marries me must be someone who loves me with all their heart and makes me the most important person in their life. You've really disappointed me this time."

My mother still did not react despite Rina kicking her. A flash of uncertainty flashed in Rina's eyes, and she started to walk forward to check on my mother's condition in a fluster when her childhood crush, Eugene Cullen, stopped her.

Eugene turned to look at my mother's pale face and burst out with a chuckle. "Your mother looks pretty healthy, not at all like she's dying." He patted Rina's shoulder and continued as if he were an expert, "I heard that professional swimmers are great at holding their breath. A couple of minutes under the water won't hurt them.

"It's pretty clear that they've planned this to put you on the spot, Rina. It's all a scheme to guilt you into becoming an obedient daughter-in-law after you marry into their family."

Rina paused and stood still with clenched fists. She turned slowly to look at me and said, "Is this true,

Micah?" I was about to reply when she stopped me. "Don't. I won't believe what you say anyway. We should postpone our wedding another six months as punishment. I'll reconsider marrying you after you've learned how to love me properly."

With that, Rina held Eugene's arm and left without looking back.

That was when I felt my mother's finger move. I was filled with hope as I grabbed onto this slim chance of her being alive. I quickly crawled over to Rina, "My mom is still alive! She can still be saved! There aren't any hospitals on this island. Please, can you get a private doctor here to check her condition?"

When Rina did not react, I begged her once more.

"Have you forgotten how she always doted on you? She treats you just like her daughter! When our city was on lockdown because of the flu outbreak, she still insisted on delivering food to you. She would never do anything to hurt you, much less guilt you into being subservient to the family!"

Rina seemed to be convinced, and she paused. She looked at me thoughtfully for a while before agreeing to my pleading. "All right. I'll get you a doctor."

Eugene tried to stop her. "Rina, you don't have to…"

However, Rina stopped him from saying more. "This is the last time I'll believe you. If the doctor arrives and proves that your mother is fine, you'll need to pay the price for lying to me."

I nodded right away. The important thing was that the doctor would be here to save my mother. As for everything else, they were no longer important.

When the doctor hurried toward us with his medical bag, my mother suddenly threw up sea water, and she started coughing violently.