Chapter 2

It wasn't long before a strong underwater current swept by, dragging me along with it. With nothing to hold me in place, my corpse began drifting slowly across the cave floor.

Marissa glanced back, and when she realized that my corpse was heading toward the bottomless abyss of a trench nearby, not only did she not speak up about it, but she even kicked her legs faster. The intense currents stirred up by her rapid movements acted like another force pushing at my corpse from behind.

I could do nothing but watch as my body slid toward the trench.

Although James detected some movement behind him, he didn't turn around to look, simply saying through the communicator, "Natalie, don't bother with any tricks. No one is going to save you."

The cold words slammed into my spirit like a physical force, but he wasn't done yet.

"If we don't teach you a lesson this time, you'll never learn how to be more understanding."

And so, he swam off with the others, leaving me further and further behind. Their diving lights grew increasingly dim before vanishing around the corner of a cliff.

As for my corpse, it finally slipped over the edge and began falling into the trench.

Sharp rocky edges lined the trench, so as I sank, my diving suit caught on the rocks and tore open. My back also slammed into a large rock, the sheer force of it enough to break all the ribs of a living person.

In the end, my corpse got stuck in a narrow crack in the rocks. Blood from my cuts seeped into the water, the scent attracting some fish over. They circled my body before taking a few tentative bites at my wounds.

I saw it all happen, the utter despair that swept over me even more unbearable than suffocating to death.

Just then, my spirit was dragged back to James' side, and I happened to see him carefully helping Marissa adjust her regulator.

Those hands of his once held me as I learned how to walk, yet now, I was nothing but a burden to him.

"Jamie, is it really okay for us to leave Nat back there?" Marissa asked with fake concern. "What if the currents are too strong?"

James let out a cold laugh. "A delicate, spoiled heiress like her values her life more than anyone else. I bet she's already used her backup oxygen to sneak back up onto the yacht and is currently enjoying a steak. She simply wants us to go back for her to prove just how important she is."

Nearby, Jackson chimed in ingratiatingly, "Mr. Payton is right. Her spoiled attitude is a result of indulging her too much. She's nothing like you, Ms. Marissa. You're understanding, physically fit, and have a steady head on your shoulders."

James was more than pleased to hear the compliments.

"Natalie can't even hope to compare to Mari. She's nothing but an embarrassment to the Payton family!"

They continued forward, completely oblivious to the fact that my corpse was currently in a deep, dark trench, being eaten by the fishes.

The currents in the cave suddenly churned agitatedly—a sign of impending high tide. If they didn't leave immediately, there was a high possibility that they would be swept away by the chaotic currents.

"Mr. Payton, it's about time that we head back," Jackson said grimly after glancing at his watch.

James nodded and glanced back at the spot where they had left me behind earlier.

Other than some swirling silt, there was nothing.

An imperceptible hint of frustration flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly overtaken by fury.

"See, what did I say? She must have left long ago. Come on, let's head back up to the yacht to settle scores with her. This time, I'm definitely not letting her return home unless she apologizes to Mari on her knees."