Chapter 3

There weren't many people at the swimming center even though it was the weekend. Eve stood beside the pool and watched as Michael walked over with Jules in his arms. "We have a new swimming instructor today," Michael said neutrally, though his eyes carefully swept across Eve's face for a moment. "The previous one is on leave." Eve nodded silently. The swimming instructor walked out wearing large goggles that masked most of her features. But Eve still recognized who it was based on the instructor's dimples and slender figure—Trisha Coleman. Eve looked down and sneered. Still, she pretended to be clueless. "Jules hasn't been very cooperative when it comes to being in the water lately. Please watch after the baby for us." Michael handed Jules to Trisha, then asked Eve in a careful tone, "Why so quiet, Eve?" "I'll let you do what you think is best." Eve turned and went to the side of the pool to rest. All of a sudden, she felt someone shove her from behind. Eve fell into the water before she could react. She instantly felt suffocated and started struggling in the water, given that she couldn't swim. Water flooded Eve's airways. She frantically splashed water around, unable to even cry out for help properly. "Michael… Help…" "Eve!" Michael immediately jumped into the water. But Trisha stopped him and shook her head. "You need to look after the baby, Mike. I'll save her!" Trisha then dove into the swimming pool and swam toward Eve. Right when Eve was slowly losing consciousness, she felt someone grab onto her arm. But the person didn't pull her up. Instead, they forcefully shoved her down further into the pool with the help of the pool's currents. Eve instinctively struggled against the person's grasp. Her nails left long, bloody scratches on the person's arms, but they continued pressing her down into the water. It was only when Eve nearly passed out from lack of oxygen that the person pulled her back up to the surface. Eve collapsed on the floor with her eyes shut. It looked like she had passed out. Michael rushed over but stopped when he noticed the scratches on Trisha's arms. His brows knitted together. "You're hurt?" Trisha shook her head even as her eyes were wet with tears. "It's no big deal. Evie must've been really scared to have accidentally scratched me… I really wanted to leave this world without any scars…" Michael's gaze darkened. He glanced at Eve, who was unconscious, before crouching by Trisha's side and pulling her into his arms. He even kissed Trisha on the forehead. "Don't say stuff like that. Don't worry, you won't scar. I'll take you to the hospital later and have them use their best treatment for your arms." Trisha sniffled in Michael's arms. Eve could hear every word they said even though she was limp on the floor. Her stomach churned, and she finally started coughing violently. Michael quickly pulled away from Trisha and went to help Eve up." Are you alright, Eve?" His tone was so filled with worry that it was as if he hadn't just been intimate with someone else earlier. Eve croaked out, "I'm fine." "This won't do. We need to get you to the hospital." Michael lifted Eve up into his arms. He then said to Trisha, "Bring Jules and come with us." Trisha nodded and followed Michael while carrying Jules. As Eve lay against Michael's chest, she suddenly found the situation quite ridiculous. Michael had just kissed Trisha so lovingly earlier. Yet now, he was pretending to be a devoted husband to her. How disgusting.