2
for Sarah’s gown was immen-
The embroidery demanded my complete focus; not a single stitch could be out of place. The design
sely complex, and I found myself working day and night, pushing myself to the brink. My eyes were
strain, and a dull ache throbbed in my head.
Suddenly, my
mian’s name.
In the depths of my,sness, I felt a large hand
gently touch my forehead.
vision blurred. The world swam before me, and I collapsed, completely missing
a
web
of
phone screen
red veins from the
I thought I had died, that I had finally returned to my own world. My eyes flew open, and I cried out Jean’s name
“Jean!”
But the eyes I met were not his. They were Damian’s, narrowed with suspicion and a dangerous glint.
“Jean,” he repeated, his voice low. “Who is Jean?”
in
it
up
with Da-
2
rush
joy.
His grip on my wrist tightened, his voice dropping an octave. “Who. Is. Jean?”
My mind raced. I had to think of something. “He’s just… a minor celebrity I used to have a crush on,” I lied, the words feeling clumsy
on my tongue. “I was just dreaming about him.”
It was a pathetic excuse, but after a few seconds of tense silence, Damian seemed to accept it. After all, my love for him was abs-
olute. I had willingly died for him ninety–nine times. How could I possibly have someone else hidden in my heart?
“You certainly have time for fantasies,” he said, releasing my hand. His expression turned cold again.
Just then, the sharp click of high heels echoed from the doorway. Sarah.
- While working
Dan immediately jumped to her m my dress. I came
Her face stiffened when she saw Damian and me together. “Nina, Damian told me you fainted
as soon as I heard. I’m so sorry, this is all my fault.” She lowered her eyes in a show of guilt,
defense.
This has nothing to do with you,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery as he glanced at me. it through.” He let out a cruel laugh. “After all, a worthless life like hers is meant to serve you. If without a second thought.”
Nina agreed to do it. She has to see
told
die, she’d probably do it
His words struck me, but I felt nothing. On the outside, however, I had to feign a look of profound, repressed heartbreak. “Yes, Dam- ian,” I whispered. “Whatever you ask, I will do. I came into this world for you.”
Damian’s pupils constricted. He seemed flustered, unsettled. He grabbed Sarah’s arm and pulled her from the command over his shoulder.
a final
Chapter 1
“Just get the dress done. You don’t have to kill yourself over it.”
That was new. Damian had never cared about my life before.
07 44
I shook my head, clearing the thought. I had to die, and soon. And I had a feeling Sarah would be the one to give me the opportuni- ty. She presented a flawless, angelic facade to the world, but beneath it, she was vicious and selfish. She claimed she and Damian were just like siblings, but she ruthlessly tormented anyone who got close to him.
As I pushed myself up, I realized I wasn’t in my apartment. I was on Damian’s private yacht.
I stepped out of the cabin for a walk and saw Damian and his friends hosting a party on the deck. I made my way to the bow, stari-
ng at the moon and letting the ache of longing for Jean wash over me.
“There you are, Nina.”
Sarah approached me,
wine glass in her hand and a sweet smile on her face. But her eyes were filled with malice.
It seems you’re getting better at this. Damian’s been so gentle with you lately,” she purred. “But it’s foolish to think you can steal him from me. Do you really believe he could ever love you? All I have to do is crook my little finger, and he’ll discard you without a
second thought.”
She slowly backed towards the railing, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “Nina,” she whispered, “what do you think he would
do if he knew you pushed me into the sea out of jealousy? Would he… tear you to pieces?”
Before I could even react, Sarah let out a piercing scream and threw herself over the railing, plummeting into the dark water below.
Damian was there in an instant. He dove into the sea without hesitation, pulling a sputtering Sarah from the waves. Crew membe-
rs lowered a lifeboat, and soon both of them were back on deck.
Sarah slowly came to, her face streaked with tears as she clutched Damian’s sleeve. “Damian, don’t blame Nina,” she sobbed. “She
just… she just loves you so much… I can understand. It’s all my fault.”
Her words hung in the air, and every eye on the deck turned to me.
“I always thought Nina was just a pathetic sycophant, but it turns out she’s a vicious one fo
“How dare she push Sarah overboard? Everyone knows Sarah is the apple of Damian’s
eye.
”
“Who the hell does Nina think she is?”
The whispers turned to accusations. Damian’s gaze, dark and murderous, settled on me. It he always had right before he killed me.
was
a
look I knew well. It was the look
He gave a cold, sharp order. His men seized me and dragged me towards a three–meter–high glass tank
I can’t swim. I thrashed wildly as they threw me in.
on the deck.
Damian stared at me as if I were already dead. “Who gave you the nerve to touch Sarah? It
lately.”
seems I’ve been too lenient with you
The filthy water filled my nose and mouth. My survival instinct kicked in, and I fought my way toward the surface, but Damian orde-
red his men to keep adding more water.
The people around the tank erupted in laughter, the sound a distorted roar in my ears.
Then, I remembered. This was it. This was what I wanted.
If I die, I can see Jean again.
I stopped struggling. My body went limp and sank to the bottom of the tank.
Seeing this, Damian must have thought I was putting on an act. “Nina, stop pretending! You think this will make me let you go?”
Chapter 1
07.45
Seeing this, Damian must have thought I was putting on an act. “Nina, stop pretending! You think this will make me let you go?”
I didn’t move.
“Nina? Nina!”
I remained motionless in the water.
A note of panic entered his voice. “NINA! Drain the water! Drain it now!”
