Waves of Fate

The lifeboat had only two seats left.

My hands were clammy, and my heart pounded with rising panic.

Without thinking, I grabbed Ethan Gibson’s wrist. “Please, don’t leave me,” I whispered.

He jerked his hand away, shooting me an annoyed look.

There she was—Aria York, the girl of his dreams—standing beside him with a perfectly practiced worried expression.

“Aria can’t swim. I need to get her to safety first. Wendy, this isn’t the time to pick fights over nothing. You’re not really jealous, are you?” he chided.

His words hit me like a bucket of ice water. Jealous?

His voice turned icy, almost scolding. “What else do you want from me? Isn’t it enough that I gave you my life jacket? You can swim, can’t you?”

“I... I can’t. Not really. I’m pregnant, and I’m scared...” My voice broke as I tried to explain, my plea barely audible.

He dismissed me with a wave. “That’s enough! You’re always making a scene, and now you’re lying too? Grow up, Wendy. Why are you putting on such an act?”

Aria remained silent, watching the drama unfold. Instead of intervening, she gently took Ethan’s hand and murmured, “Let’s not fight, Ethan. I can wait here a bit longer. Take Wendy first.”

“No way. It’s not safe for you here.” Ethan pulled Aria close, his expression full of tender concern that shattered what was left of my heart. “Come with me. I’ll keep you safe.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Before I could muster the strength, he was already leading Aria to the lifeboat, never once glancing back.

Left behind, I felt the cold seawater lapping at my ankles, the chill seeping deeper into my bones.

I touched my belly instinctively, tears mingling with the saltwater, blurring my vision.

The person on the boat glanced back at me, their eyes flickering with a hint of sympathy.

“Maybe you should give her a hand?” someone suggested to Ethan.

Ethan shook his head, his tone cool and detached. “Forget it. She’s faking it.”

A heavy silence followed. Nobody said another word.

The lifeboat drifted away, taking my last shred of hope with it.

I scrambled into my life jacket, struggling to keep my panic at bay. If no one would save me, I had to save myself.

The tide was rising fast, making the shoreline rocks slick and treacherous.

I took a deep breath, but my thoughts were a jumbled mess. All my survival instincts felt useless.

Desperation drove me toward higher ground, clinging to the faint hope of rescue.

However, luck wasn’t on my side. Out of nowhere, a massive wave slammed into me, sweeping me off my feet.

I crashed into the sea, the icy water flooding my mouth and throat with its salty sting, leaving me gasping for breath.

“Don’t freak out. Just stay calm...” I repeated to myself, clawing for control.

I tried to swim away from the jagged rocks, but my belly slammed into one, its sharp edge slicing through me like a knife.

Pain exploded through my body as blood billowed into the water, turning it crimson around me.

I sucked in a sharp breath, my body limp and floating.

Once upon a time, I had been Ethan’s “one and only.”

I still remember the summer day he wandered the streets to find me a simple seashell necklace for our first anniversary. “It’ll bring you luck,” he said, smiling as he placed it around my neck with affection and warmth.

I had cherished that necklace, clutching it like a precious treasure, believing it symbolized our love and the memories we shared.

However, on another day, I saw Ethan pick out a dazzling diamond necklace for Aria. It cost a small fortune, and he clasped it around her neck himself, chuckling as he said, “Only the best for you.”

I used to believe in the innocence of our shell necklace, thinking it represented our love and shared moments.

Now, I see the truth. It was just me, holding on to a dream that only I believed in.

To him, that necklace—and I—were insignificant. Not even worth a second thought.