Chapter 2

My original plan was to take Aimee to the other side of the deserted island, but I did not expect to bump into Kacey and Saddler, who had been wandering around blindly.

When she saw me, Kacey was stunned. She shrieked, “Jared?! How are you still…”

She realized that it was not the right sentiment to express and quickly shut up.

I still caught the disappointment in her voice.

I glared at her. “What this? Were you going to ask how I’m still alive?”

Kacey stiffened. She tried to muddle through with an explanation. “No, I was saying… I didn’t mean it when I didn’t save you…”

Stone-faced, I lifted a hand to cut her off.

“Stop talking. I don’t want to hear your excuses.”

Saddler frowned in irritation. His voice was disdainful as he said, “How lucky you are to be alive. You’re such a plague on this world.”

Saddler had never been pleasant to me even once.

Kacey looked unsure. She knew that she could not convince me, so she changed targets to Aimee, who was standing behind me.

When she saw that Aimee was still alive, she was first taken aback and then happy. She rushed forward and bent down before Aimee.

“Are you alright, Aimee? Your clothes are still wet. Are you cold?”

Aimee looked up at me when she saw how gentle Kacey was being with her. I knew that she was looking to me for guidance.

I did not want Aimee to have any further interactions with Kacey, but I could not help but relent at Aimee’s saddened gaze.

After all, Aimee was still a child who needed a mother’s love.

The four of us found a temporary place to stay.

I sat to one side and calmly watched as Kacey looked after Aimee.

Aimee did not say a word. She simply let Kacey chatter on.

When Kacey finally sensed how awkward things were, Aimee spoke up. “Mom… Why didn’t you save Dad earlier? Why did you kick me into the sea?”

Faced with Aimee’s innocent gaze, Kacey was at a loss for words.

Before Kacey could find a suitable excuse, Aimee added, “Did you know I nearly died?”

Kacey’s face became mottled as she was put on the spot.

“Aimee, let me explain. I didn’t intentionally push you off the ship. My foot slipped. I’m sorry. Is that okay?”

Aimee looked into Kacey’s eyes, thinking about something. She did not respond to Kacey.

In the end, I got up and led Aimee away.

Before we could go very far, an argument broke out behind us.

Saddler’s expression had been dark since he saw us, and his temper finally broke through.

“Look at how things are now! He’s not even dead! The cat’s out of the bag, isn’t it? Why are you being so nice to them now?”

Kacey was sheepish. But she came up with a new plan on the spot. “We can get money if he’s dead. But since he’s not dead, he can help us survive on this island.”

Saddler’s expression was still gloomy as he listened to Kacey praise my capabilities.

“Well, you seem happy that he isn’t dead.”

Kacey rushed to explain.

“Jared goes out camping all the time. He has wilderness survival skills. We’ll be in a good spot if we’re with him! With just the two of us, it’ll be tough to survive! We can think of something else for the insurance thing.”

Even though he was unhappy, Saddler could not refute Kacey’s logic.

After all, Saddler could barely keep himself alive when living in civilization, much less a deserted island where it was only the four of us.

If he wanted to survive, he would have to rely on others.

The breeze carried their discussion over to my ears.

I was already hurt, but I still felt the fresh cut of another wound.

In the past, I would have thought Kacey felt some affection for me. But it seemed that she had only ever wanted to use me for her own gain.