Chapter 7

"Help... someone help!"

The freezing water swallowed me whole, leaving only a sliver of light above. Then that too faded away.

I closed my eyes, my body growing heavier and heavier. I was so tired. So exhausted. I just wanted to sink and sleep.

No... I couldn't. Not yet. I still had one last thing to do. If I didn't finish it, I'd never see Grayson again.

That thought shot through me like a jolt of electricity. My eyes flew open. I dug deep, found something I didn't know I had, and clawed my way up toward the surface.

When I finally dragged myself onto the shore, I was completely spent. Water burned in my chest, my lungs on fire, coughing so hard I thought they'd burst. I clung to the rocks, gasping, feeling like a pathetic, half-drowned rat.

Before I could catch my breath, a dull thud hit my shoulder—then I was kicked back into the water.

On the bank, a row of bodyguards in suits stared down at me, faces blank. "Mr. Evans said you're not allowed back on land until you find the necklace."

I choked on another mouthful of seawater before steadying myself.

So that's how it was. If I didn't find it, they weren't letting me go.

With no other choice, I dove down. Over and over.

Three hours. Countless dives. My fingers were numb and wrinkled, my whole body frozen stiff—but I finally found it. The necklace Nancy had tossed.

When I got back up, I couldn't even feel my own limbs. A guard tossed me a change of clothes and told me to get dressed.

Shaking violently, I took the clothes and stumbled into the restroom.

That's when I heard footsteps. Voices. Familiar ones.

Nancy and her circle of friends.

"Nancy, Evans is absolutely crazy about you. That necklace was worth a fortune, and he just handed it over without blinking. The second you cried, he looked like he'd tear his own heart out for you."

"You used to say you only saw him as a brother, ran off with your ex. Then the ex split the second he heard about your heart condition. Gregory never left. After everything he's done for you, even a stone would crack."

Nancy laughed, a hint of smugness in her voice. "You fell for that too? Men always want what they can't have. As long as I keep Gregory on a string, he'll love me forever. That's way better than actually being with him."

Gasps from her friends. "Wait—so you leaving with your ex was all an act?"

"You've been playing the long game this whole time!"

Nancy chuckled. "Of course. Is there any other man out there who compares to Gregory?"

"That guy was just a prop. I brought him in to make Gregory jealous."

"And look at him now—wasted away, pining for me all these years."

Her friend clapped. "Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."

"Just don't push it too far, Nancy. I heard Gregory's marrying Cynthia to get her heart for you. If that happens, all your scheming goes down the drain."

Nancy's voice turned confident. "I've got it under control."

"Besides, Gregory doesn't give a damn about her. A few days ago, I slapped myself three times, and he had her slapped thirty times. Tonight, I threw that necklace in the ocean, and he threw her in after it without a second thought. She's still down there. I've got plenty of ways to make her life hell. Trust me—that wedding's not happening."

Their voices faded, footsteps retreating until the restroom fell silent again.

I stepped out slowly, my phone in my hand.

The recording app was still running.

So that's what his so-called true love was really like.

I hit stop and stared at the complete file, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. I'd leave this for Gregory. One last gift before I went.