Chapter 4

'Roses?' I glanced down at my phone's wallpaper.

It was just roses growing in our backyard. I thought they looked nice, so I snapped a picture for the screensaver.

But his words reminded me of something. Years ago, when Alex was heartbroken, I bought him a rose.

"Pretty, huh?" I had placed it in his hand.

He had nodded through tears.

I had added, "Let's make a deal. As long as this rose doesn't wilt, you'll stay happy."

From then on, I bought a fresh rose every day from the florist. I'd replace the old one, keeping the rose in the vase vibrant all the time.

I'd forgotten about that old stuff after so many years.

Alex looked down on me, his tone icy. "I'm about to marry Betty. There's no chance for us. Stop trying to win me back."

Ignoring him, I tried to unlock my phone, but the mud on my hands interfered with the fingerprint scanner. I attempted Face ID next, but dirt on my face caused it to fail.

I tried to enter the password, but Betty snatched the phone from me. "Can't even unlock it? I bet this phone was stolen."

I froze, suppressing my rage. "Give me back my phone."

She refused, calling over the server. "This phone belongs to a guest. This woman stole it. Put it in the lost and found, then get a fishing boat to haul her out."

"That's my phone!" I yelled.

"Keep disrupting orders, and we'll call the police." The server held the phone and barked, "Cooperate with us."

A security guard rushed over, but Alex stopped him. "She didn't do it on purpose. For my sake, let it slide."

Betty chimed in, "If we call the police, she'll do at least two years."

I countered, "And do you know how many years you get for defamation?"

The security guard grabbed me and started dragging me out.

Just then, a yacht sped over from afar.

A boy jumped off as soon as it docked and ran toward me, bouncing with energy. I struggled free and crouched to hug him.

Betty suddenly grabbed my hair and threw me to the ground.

The boy freaked out. "Waah! Mom!"

Betty picked him up. "This bad woman isn't your mom. I'll take you to your real mom."

Felix Hines writhed in agony, his arms and legs marked with red streaks from the struggle.

"No, I want my mom!" he cried, his face flushed.

"Let go of my son!" I snarled, charging forward desperately.

The guard held me back, and the surrounding mockery grew sharper.

"She's crazy. How could a woman like her have a kid?"

"Hurry and lock her up. She probably escaped from a psych ward."

Alex came over and pulled me over. "She is here for me. I'll send her off."

He dragged me toward the shore where a fishing boat was ready.

"Let me go! Or you'll regret this!" I warned, struggling.

Suddenly, another yacht raced in, and a tall figure stepped off.

His custom gray suit outlined his fit build. He removed his sunglasses, revealing a pair of sharp eyes.

Everyone greeted him respectfully, "Mr. Hines."

I looked over and teared up.