All Chapters of The Sea She Never Saw: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Third-Person POVWhen Oliver got home, half the "Just Married" decorations were already gone.On the living room table sat the $60,000 watch, the Maybach keys, and the court papers.Sarah sat on the couch."Explain."Oliver's eyes went red."It's our first day of marriage, and you're already doubting me because of what other people said?""Other people?"Sarah picked up her phone.The wedding-day messages were still on the screen.[Nyssa always pulls through. You only get married once.]She looked at him."That money was supposed to save a five-year-old's life."You knew that, and you still took the car.""I didn't force Shirley," Oliver said quickly. "She insisted."She said I had no parents and couldn't look bad in front of your family.""At the wedding, she publicly promised to protect you for the rest of her life."You even made her husband prove there was nothing going on between you."Oliver, who exactly do you want to spend your life with?""We're just close f

The next day, Caroline showed up at Oliver's place with several relatives.She blamed him for everything.If Oliver hadn't gotten married, Shirley never would've bought the car.And without that car, Nyssa might've had a chance.Caroline pounded on the door until Oliver finally opened it."Give me the car keys." She barged into the living room. "And the watch, the house—everything Shirley gave you."Give it all back!"Oliver's face darkened."Shirley gave me those things willingly.""Willingly?" Caroline reached for his watch. "That was our family's money!"My granddaughter died, and you think you get to keep everything and live happily ever after?"Oliver shoved her away."Shirley killed her!"She knew her daughter was dying and still bought me a car. What does that have to do with me?"Caroline stumbled into the wall.The relatives with Caroline immediately pulled out their phones."How dare you shove an old woman?""Without the Hartleys backing you, would you even b

Oliver dressed way more modestly than usual for the property dispute hearing.No watch. Pale face. Like he was the victim.He claimed he had no clue where the money came from."Shirley always treated me like a little brother."The car and watch were wedding gifts."I had no reason to think she couldn't give them to me."Daniel submitted the full transaction records.Besides the Maybach and luxury watch, Shirley had covered Oliver's house down payment, travel costs, wedding deposit, and daily expenses.The total topped $870,000.More importantly, their messages included this exchange.[Will Joe check the account?]Shirley replied, [He doesn't need to know.]Oliver sent a smiley face.[Then I'm relieved.]His face fell as he stared at the screen.Sarah sat across from him.She'd officially filed for divorce.***Third-Person POVAfter the hearing, independent reporters swarmed the courthouse entrance.One asked Oliver if he'd been involved with a married woman for yea

Third-Person POVThe investigation dragged on for more than two months.At first, Shirley insisted she hadn't known Nyssa could get worse that fast.Then the hospital turned over a key piece of evidence.The day Nyssa was being resuscitated, after seven unanswered calls, a nurse tried Shirley again from a hospital phone.When she finally picked up, the doctor spoke to her himself."Your daughter is in severe respiratory failure."If she doesn't get further life support soon, she could die at any time."On the recording, Shirley went silent for a few seconds.Then she asked, "Do I have to pay the $20,000 right now?""Treatment can't wait.""Her father will figure something out."I have something important to do. I can't come back yet."The doctor's voice rose. "Ms. Hartley, your daughter may not make it through the day."A brief silence followed.Then Oliver's voice came from the background."Shirley, the salesman said if we don't pay for the car now, they'll sell it to

Third-Person POVSarah and Oliver's marriage fell apart fast.She turned over their messages from before the wedding, island trip bookings, and wedding videos.Even without proof that Oliver and Shirley had been physically involved, the way they kept crossing boundaries was enough to wreck a marriage that had barely started.Oliver didn't want to split up, but he also refused to return the property.He sold off some wedding supplies and gifts for way less than they were worth.It still wasn't nearly enough to cover what he owed.With nowhere else to go, he went back to Shirley.They met at a restaurant they used to go to all the time.Oliver pulled out his phone and opened her old messages.[No matter what happens, I'll always protect you.][I'll pay for the wedding.][Even if everyone else leaves, I'll still be here.]He slid the phone toward her. "You said all this."Now Sarah's leaving me, and the court's making me pay everything back."You can't just ditch me."Shir