Chapter 2

The rescue team pulled me back to shore.

It took hours before their bodies were finally recovered.

I called Adrian over twenty times.

Not once did he answer.

Instead, I saw Vanessa’s new post on her social feed.

In the photo, she sat on his shoulders, arms wrapped around his head, both of them laughing like nothing in the world mattered.

Caption:

“Didn’t win me that medal, so now my ‘son’ is letting me ride him as punishment.”

The comments exploded.

Their friends were having the time of their lives.

Vanessa had always been “one of the guys” to him.

Except that line had been crossed more times than I could count.

When she had cramps, he’d massage her chest without hesitation to ease her discomfort.

When we were long-distance, she had no problem “helping him out.”

Every time I felt uncomfortable, he told me I was the one with a dirty mind.

And eventually, I started believing it.

But now my hands were shaking with rage.

I typed a comment.

“If Adrian enjoys being your dog that much, then I wish you two a lifetime of happiness.”

Less than a minute later, my phone rang.

Adrian.

His voice was sharp, already annoyed.

“Claire, what the hell was that comment? Delete it. Now.

“I treat her like a brother. If you can’t understand that, then keep your mouth shut.”

I closed my eyes briefly.

When I spoke again, my voice was ice.

“Adrian, do you even realize your parents are dead?

“They died because you chose not to save them.

“I’m dealing with their bodies right now. If you have even a shred of conscience left, come see them one last time.”

He let out a laugh.

“Can you stop with the ‘your parents’ nonsense? Mine are perfectly fine.

“There were other rescue teams there. They would’ve been saved.

“Or is this just another excuse to drag me away from Vanessa? Claire, I’m really sick of this.”

He hung up.

Just like that.

I stood there, numb.

His parents had given everything to their country.

They didn’t deserve to die like that.

If he had stayed, they would have lived.

Instead, he walked away to help Vanessa chase a second-class medal, and traded two lives for it.

The Cole family had always been known for its legacy of service.

And yet, it had produced someone like him.

I called Richard Cole.

The moment he heard, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.

After that, everything fell on me.

Handling the bodies. Arranging the funeral.

All of it.

Before cremation, a direct family member had to sign the authorization.

So I went to find Adrian.

I found him in a bar.

Dim lights. Loud music.

Vanessa was pressed close against him.

They were sharing a single French fry, feeding it to each other from opposite ends.

At the last bite, she leaned in, and bit his lip.

Cheers erupted around them.

“Adrian, what’s it like kissing Vanessa? Feeling anything yet?”

He laughed, rubbing his lip.

“Feels like getting bitten by a dog. Nothing special.

“She could strip naked in front of me and I still wouldn’t feel a thing.”

Vanessa glared at him, pretending to be annoyed.

“You’re trash. If you feel nothing, then stop reacting. Who was it calling me in the middle of the night asking for help?”

“Try that again and see what happens.”

They shoved each other, and ended up in another embrace.

Someone finally noticed me.

“…Hey. Claire’s here.”

Adrian turned.

The smile on his face disappeared instantly.

“Claire? What are you doing here?”

I looked at him.

My voice was steady.

Heavy.

“Adrian, your parents are ready for cremation.

“They need your signature.”