Chapter 5

The four men were still anxiously checking if Rowena was hurt. A small patch on her arm was red from the burn.

"Rowena, are you alright?"

"Let me take a look!"

"It's a little red. Quick, get the ointment!"

In the end, it was a passing crew member who noticed Karina. He rushed over in a panic and swiftly put out the flames on her dress with a fire extinguisher.

"Ms. Fleming, hang in there!" the crew member shouted in alarm.

Through blurred vision, Karina saw the four men hurrying toward the cabin with Rowena in their arms. They didn't spare her a single glance at all.

By the time she was carried back to her room, she was in too much pain to speak.

Large areas of her skin were burned, and even the slightest movement caused bloody fluid to seep out. The crew member hurried off to find a doctor, leaving her alone in the room.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

"Ms. Fleming, the uninhabited island you purchased requires some additional documents."

"I'll send them to you right now," Karina said through gritted teeth, her voice hoarse from pain. "Please process them as quickly as possible. I'm in a hurry to go to the island."

As soon as she finished speaking, Nicholas' icy voice suddenly came from behind her, "Who were you talking to?"

"No one." Karina hung up and hid her phone under the covers.

Nicholas stood at the doorway, picking up on the strange tension in the air. His brow furrowed slightly. He was about to press further when his gaze suddenly fell on the shocking burns covering her body.

"How did you get burned like this?" He walked over quickly, his voice carrying an unusual hint of panic. "Why didn't you call for me?"

Karina lowered her gaze, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Why didn't she call for him?

Just moments ago, the flames had singed her hair. She writhed and screamed in agony on the deck, yet he didn't even turn his head. So, what good would calling for him have done?

"It's nothing," she said softly. "The doctor will be here soon. You should stay with Rowena. She needs you more."

To her surprise, Nicholas sat on the edge of the bed instead. "She has people looking after her. I'll wait until your wounds are treated."

He gently brushed the stray strands of hair from her forehead, his movements tender, almost like the way he used to be. But Karina simply looked at him calmly. All the light and hope that used to shine in her eyes for him were gone.

Nicholas had already married Rowena, making him her husband now. And there was no way Karina would love a married man.

The moment he secretly married Rowena behind her back, any possibility between them was forever destroyed.

"Does it hurt?" he asked quietly with a frown.

Karina shook her head gently but remained silent.

Of course it hurt! But compared to the pain in her heart, what was a little physical suffering?

The doctor arrived quickly. He treated her burns with great care, each touch sending a wave of pain so sharp it made her break out in cold sweat. Yet, she only bit down hard on her lip without making a sound.

"Nicholas," Rowena called sweetly from outside the door. "Come quickly to see the dolphins! They're so beautiful!"

Nicholas hesitated for a moment but ultimately helped Karina to her feet. "Let's go have a look together."

On the deck, the setting sun painted the sea in shades of gold. A pod of dolphins leaped from the water, tracing graceful arcs through the air.

"Quick, make a wish! They say if you make a wish when you see dolphins, it'll definitely come true!" Rowena pressed her hands together, closing her eyes as she made her wish.

Karina, placed by Nicholas on a deck chair, watched the absurd scene before her eyes. The four men, who had never believed in such things, now closed their eyes with indulgent fondness, looking as devout as if they were praying in church.

She knew their wishes must have been about Rowena.

Slowly, she closed her eyes as well.

Rowena suddenly sidled up to her and asked curiously, "Karina, what did you wish for?"

The four men also turned their attention to her.

Karina looked at them all and replied emphatically, "I wished that from now on, I would never have to see any of the five of you again for the rest of my life."