Chapter 4: The Hand He Chose

Adrian looked at Serena.

But he said nothing.

Eventually, his eyes turned to Chloe. She met his gaze with a small smile.

"All right, let's continue."

A staff member's voice brought Serena back to herself.

"Ms. Whitmore, this way, please."

"Of course."

Serena returned to her position as if she hadn't heard a thing.

The photographer and stylist had been working for them since morning.

She didn't think it was right to interrupt their work because she was upset.

"I'm sorry. Thank you for waiting."

At her apologetic nod, the photographer hurriedly shook their head.

"Not at all."

Adrian stood beside her.

"A little closer together, please."

One step.

Serena closed the distance as instructed.

Adrian's hand went around her waist.

"That's it. Look this way."

The shutter clicked.

Serena smiled.

She had grown up in a hotel.

Whatever was happening, if she stood before people, she would not make them uncomfortable.

Just as she'd seen her father do so many times.

When the last photograph had been taken, she thanked each member of staff.

"Thank you very much."

"Thank you. You've been wonderful."

Only as she left the deck did she refuse to look at Adrian even once.

A little later, as Serena was heading back to her room, Chloe caught up with her.

"Serena."

She stopped.

Chloe was alone.

"I'm sorry about earlier."

"About what?"

"Daniel. He's never known when to keep his mouth shut."

Chloe's brows slanted apologetically.

"Adrian should really tell him off when he does that."

Serena looked at Chloe in silence.

Those lips had been smiling a moment ago.

Now they turned down in concern.

"Could we talk for a minute?"

"Now?"

"Yes. Someone could come along here."

Chloe pointed down the corridor.

"The marina deck seems to be open. It's lovely down there, so close to the water."

Serena hesitated.

"We can talk here."

"I want to talk privately."

Chloe lowered her voice.

"I want to give you a proper apology for last night."

Serena studied her face.

Now? After everything?

That was her first thought.

But she was tired of hearing vague excuses, too.

"All right."

The marina deck was nothing like the upper decks.

The sea was close.

From this platform at the stern, white water broke just beneath them.

A short distance away, crew members were checking equipment, perhaps preparing for water activities.

Beyond them stood Adrian, Daniel, and their friends.

"Isn't it nice down here?"

Chloe walked toward the railing.

"It's completely different from looking down from above."

"What did you want to say?"

Serena asked.

Chloe turned.

"About last night."

Her voice was quieter now.

"I wasn't trying to rub your face in it."

"I see."

"You don't believe me, do you?"

"What am I supposed to believe?"

For an instant, Chloe's smile vanished.

Then the troubled expression returned.

"I'm not trying to take Adrian away from you."

Serena didn't answer.

"I'm serious. You're the one he's marrying. I know that."

"Then what was last night?"

"I can't help loving him, can I?"

Chloe gave a lonely smile.

"I've held back for seven years."

"Held back?"

"You've always been able to stand beside him openly."

Serena stared at her.

"You're saying this to me?"

"I'm not blaming you."

Chloe shook her head as if in a hurry to reassure her.

"I just hoped you could understand a little—"

Then it happened.

The ship lurched hard.

"Ah!"

Chloe pitched toward the sea.

Serena reached out instinctively.

She caught Chloe's arm.

The next instant,

Chloe's hand clamped around Serena's wrist.

"Ah—!"

So strong.

Pulled forward, Serena's foot slipped. Her waist struck the railing, and her upper body tipped backward over the water.

She tried to catch the deck with the tip of her shoe, but couldn't find her footing.

Her right hand still held Chloe's arm. Chloe's left hand dug into Serena's right wrist.

"Look out!"

Adrian's voice.

Serena looked up to see him running toward them.

"Adrian!"

Chloe stretched out her free right hand.

Serena reached with her left.

Both hands reached for him at once.

For one brief moment,

his gaze moved between them.

Then—

he caught Chloe.

Adrian pulled hard.

As Chloe's body swung back toward him, the fingers digging into Serena's wrist came loose.

Serena's right hand slipped off Chloe's arm, too.

She tried to bring her feet back onto the deck. But her body was already tipping outside the railing.

Adrian was there, beyond her outstretched left hand.

Suddenly, he was getting farther away.

Blue sky.

White hull.

Serena fell into the sea.

Cold.

That was the first thing.

Seawater rushed into her nose and mouth, cutting off her breath.

She couldn't tell which way was up.

Her dress soaked through and tangled around her legs.

She moved her arms desperately.

She could swim.

She knew how to swim.

Her body was so heavy.

At last, her face broke the surface.

"Ah—!"

She coughed.

Looked up.

Figures lined the marina deck.

Adrian was among them.

Chloe was in his arms.

That morning's laughter came back without warning.

"Just don't get any ideas about tossing Serena overboard so you can be with Chloe because you can't break off the engagement, okay?"

It had been a joke.

Everyone had laughed.

Now she really was in the sea.

"Life ring!"

A crew member's shout rang out.

An orange ring hit the water.

Serena reached for it.

Her fingertips slipped the first time.

Again.

This time she caught it.

The rope drew taut, pulling her toward the ship.

When they hauled her onto the deck, her legs wouldn't support her.

A crew member wrapped a large towel around her shoulders.

"Ms. Whitmore, can you breathe all right?"

"Yes."

"We'll take you to the medical center."

"Please… just a moment."

Her voice shook.

Seawater dripped from her hair.

"Chloe, are you all right?"

She heard Adrian.

Serena raised her head.

He held Chloe by both shoulders, searching her face.

"Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine."

Chloe immediately looked at Serena.

"But Serena…"

At last, Adrian turned, too.

"You're okay, aren't you?"

Serena didn't answer.

His shirt was dry.

Chloe's clothes were dry, too.

"Adrian."

"What?"

"You saw my hand, too, didn't you?"

He frowned.

"What?"

"Just now."

She looked at him.

"I was reaching for you, too."

Silence fell for a moment.

"What was I supposed to do?"

Adrian looked away first.

"I couldn't grab both of you in that split second."

Serena said nothing.

"Besides, you can swim."

He went on.

"Chloe can't."

The sea wind swept through Serena's wet clothes.

"I'm so sorry, Serena."

Chloe approached her.

There were even tears in her eyes.

"It's all because I slipped…"

Serena looked at her.

"You were trying to save me, weren't you? Thank you so much."

"That's enough."

"But—"

"Just give me some space."

Holding the towel around her, Serena turned to the crew member.

"Please take me to the medical center."

She said nothing else and began to walk.

She didn't look back.

After a brief examination at the medical center, Serena returned to her room.

Even a hot shower did little to banish the cold lodged deep inside her.

She dried her hair and raised her arm in front of the mirror.

That was when she saw it.

Red marks on her right wrist.

Her hand stopped.

One.

Two.

Three.

Clear marks following the shape of fingers.

Just before she fell.

Where Chloe had gripped her.

Serena touched the marks with her fingertips.

They hurt a little.

After a while, she turned from the mirror.

She went straight to the small safe beside the closet.

Entered the code. The door opened.

Serena took out her passport, slipped it into a small bag, and zipped it shut.