Thrown to the Ocean

After a business meeting wrapped up, my brother, Callum Corvin, walked over to my fiancé, Tristan Gage, with a grin. "Did the police call you too? About Selene being dead."Tristan scoffed and slowly lit a cigarette. "Yeah.""She's annoying as hell. I've already agreed to the engagement, and she still isn't satisfied. She just has to make a scene."Callum studied his cold expression and let out a sigh. "Careful, Tristan. If Selene heard you say that, she'll lose it all over again."Tristan snorted, stubbed out the cigarette, and turned to him. "Isn't she dead? Since when can dead people eavesdrop?"The two of them exchanged a look and laughed. The mood between them was light and easy.What they did not know was that my soul was floating right beside them, quietly listening to every word.Tristan picked up his coat from the sofa and headed for the door. "Forget about her. Tonight's Elise's first concert. If we're late, she won't be happy."Callum scoffed and followed him out. "E

After the interview, the organizers arranged a celebratory yacht party by the waterfront. The car had barely pulled away from the concert hall when Tristan's phone rang again. He glanced at the number, frowned slightly, but answered anyway.A clinical voice came through the other end. "Mr. Gage, this is the forensic center. The police DNA comparison results are in, and the deceased has been confirmed as Ms. Selene Corvin."Due to the extended period of time the remains spent submerged in seawater, we have compiled her personal belongings. We need a family member to come collect them."Tristan listened, incredulous. "Are you people still not done with this act?"Callum glanced over with a sneer. "First, the police station; now, the forensic center. Selene's got quite the network."The staff member on the other end went quiet for a few seconds, their tone cooling. "If it's inconvenient for you to come in, you can start by looking at the photographs."Three photos arrived moments la

The moment those words left the captain's mouth, the entire deck fell silent.A second later, the crowd erupted."A murderer?""That's impossible. Everyone here tonight is somebody. How could there be a murderer?""There must be a mistake. This is Ms. Mercer's celebration."Several women had already gone pale, instinctively stepping back and casting wary glances at the people around them. The lively deck turned tense in an instant.Elise swayed slightly, as though the shock had knocked her off balance. Tristan caught her arm immediately. "Don't be scared."Callum stepped in front of her, his cold gaze sweeping the surroundings. "Even if there really is a killer on this ship, we're right here. He wouldn't dare touch you."Elise lifted her head, eyes red, and gave a small nod.The yacht was quickly brought back to shore. Several officers climbed up the gangway, and behind them followed a woman in a maid's uniform.The maid, Rosie Fenton, seized Elise's wrist and held on for dea

Dad said his piece and left the room.Before long, only Tristan and Callum remained in the living room. The two men who had stormed back to the estate, ready to avenge Elise, could now barely stand on their own feet.Callum's face was deathly pale. His lips moved several times before any sound came out. "We were wrong. We were both wrong."Tristan stood frozen, his hands trembling at his sides.Callum raised his eyes to meet Tristan's. They were red all the way through."Selene is really dead. And Elise killed her." His voice broke on the last word. He dropped to his knees and buried his face in his hands, sobbing. "What have we done?"Tristan remained where he stood, his pupils slowly losing focus. The full weight of everything seemed to crash into his mind all at once, delayed but devastating.He now knew I had asked to break off the engagement. I had never once used it to trap him.He was the one who told me he would take care of me for the rest of her life, and he was the o