Chapter 6
As soon as the words left his mouth, the ballroom fell silent for a moment–then erupted into shocked whispers.”
“Did I hear that right? Mr. Sterling just left his entire estate to Miss Josephine?“?
““He publicly announced Josephine gets everything. Doesn’t that mean he’s not leaving a single penny for his eldest daughter?“%
“I’ve heard the Sterlings always favored the younger daughter, but seeing it play out like this… why, though?“%
In a quiet corner, Daphne listened to the gossip swirling around her, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.
.Why?
Yes, she wanted to know that too.
Why was it that, though both daughters, her parents could show such blatant favoritism??
Suddenly, she felt a tightness in her chest. She stood and slipped out of the ballroom, escaping onto the deck. Out here, the sea stretched endlessly beneath a soft breeze, easing some of the heaviness inside her.
She leaned against the railing, Jost in thought, gazing at the boundless ocean. But behind her, the sharp click of high heels broke the stillness.
“What are you doing out here all alone, sis?”
The familiar, mocking voice snapped her from her reverie. Daphne turned around, saying nothing in response to Josephine’s question.
Josephine didn’t seem to care. She sauntered closer, tilting her chin up as she looked Daphne over from head to toe, her eyes full of condescension.%
Don’t you think it’s pathetic?” Josephine drawled. “When we were kids, you tried so hard to win over Mom and Dad, but they only ever loved me. Now that we’re grown, they won’t even leave you a dime. You chased after my husband, but he never loved you either. Nestor did, but he’s dead now. Honestly, Daphne, with no one left to love you, what’s the point of you even being alive?“%
Daphne couldn’t understand it. Ali her life, Josephine had taken everything: their parents‘ affection, her fiancé Leonardo, even her late husband Nestor… Everyone loved Josephine. Why wasn’t that enough? Why did she still need to flaunt her victories, to torment Daphne at every turn??
The thought was so sharp, she finally blurted it out. Josephine didn’t even bother to pretend, her lips curling into a smirk.
“Why? Because you annoy me. I never wanted a big sister. I want you gone. But you just won’t die, so I guess I’ll have to handle it myself.”
With that, Josephine shoved her, hard.
“Goodbye, Daphne!“2
Caught off guard, Daphne stumbled backward, losing her balance.}
Behind her was nothing but open sea.
Panicking, she grasped wildly for something–anything–to stop her fall. By sheer luck, she managed to grab Josephine’s wrist, pulling her along into the water.% Two loud splashes and frantic cries for help drew the entire ballroom’s attention. Shouts of alarm echoed across the deck.”
“Someone’s overboard!”
The icy water closed over Daphne’s head. She couldn’t swim. Every time she managed to break the surface, a wave dragged her farther out.
Darkness and suffocation clawed at her mind, leaving only the desperate instinct to survive.
“Help.. help!” she gasped whenever she caught a breath.
At last, as she surfaced again, she heard two more splashes nearby.%
Even through the stinging saltwater, she could just make out who had jumped in: Nestor and Geoffrey.
For a fleeting moment, hope flickered. She thought she was saved. But then she saw both men swimming toward Josephine.!!
Back on deck, Queenie Sterling’s voice rang out, frantic and shrill.
“Forget her–save Josephine! Please, just save Josephine!“%
Despair crashed over Daphne like another wave Seawater filled her lungs, and the cold sapped her strength. As the next wave broke, she slipped beneath the surface, unable to fight any longer
Eventually, a lifeguard from the ship pulled her out
When Daphine opened her eyes again, she was in a hospital bed &
Unlike Josephine, who was surrounded by people fussing over her, Daphne’s bedside was empty.
A doctor came in to eneck on her, flipping through her charts
After a moment, he sighed heavily “You just had a miscarriage, and now you’ve nearly drowned. If you don’t start taking better care of yourself, you’re going to be left with lasting damage”
