Chapter 5

The guests around them whispered quietly, their eyes darting back and forth between Amity and Cynthia. “My goodness, I've never seen the person who was hit apologize first...” “Mr. Rodriguez really spoils Miss Cynthia, doesn't he?” “This marriage is already dead in name only. Who can't see that?” Amity stood in the middle of the crowd, her fingernails digging deeply into her palms, yet she felt no pain. Cynthia raised her chin triumphantly: “I accept your apology.” She pretended to be magnanimous as she linked her arm through Amity’s. “Professor, since you’re here, why don’t you join us?” Before Amity could refuse, Cynthia’s best friend had already pulled out a lottery box with a smile: “Let’s play a game! Everyone draws a number, and whoever draws a 6 has to accept a punishment!” In the first round of drawing, Amity unfolded the paper expressionlessly— Number 6. “Wow! It's Professor White!” A girl in a pink dress covered her mouth dramatically, “The punishment is to eat three tubes of mustard!” Amity took it expressionlessly and swallowed it one bite at a time. The spicy taste instantly filled her nasal passages, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, and her stomach cramped as if it were on fire. Laughter erupted around her. “Wow, the teacher is awesome!” “Come again!Come again!” In the second round of drawing, she drew 6 again. “This time, you have to bark like a dog three times~” the girl in the pink dress said with a smile. Amity’s face turned pale instantly. “This is too much,” she said, her voice trembling. “Change it.” “Once you enter the game, you must dare to lose.” Cynthia blinked. “You have to follow the rules when playing games.” Lawrence walked over and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder: “Amity, don’t be a killjoy. It’s just a game. Don’t ruin Cynthia’s birthday.” Amity looked at his handsome face so close to hers, her heart aching as if it were being torn apart. “Woof…” The first bark was almost forced out between her teeth. “Woof… woof…” Each bark felt like a knife, slicing away at her dignity. Whispers and suppressed laughter filled the air. Amity bit her lip so hard she tasted blood. The third round, as expected, was her turn again. “This time, you have to finish all the alcohol on the table~” A row of strong spirits was placed in front of her, and Amity's stomach began to cramp. “I can't drink it,” she said hoarsely. “Don't be like that, professor,” Cynthia's friend teased, “We've already played till now, it'd be such a bore not to play now!” Lawrence sat beside Cynthia, carefully peeling grapes for her. He looked up at the remark: “Amity, don't be stubborn.” Amity picked up the glass and downed one after another. The alcohol burned her throat, and her stomach ached as if being twisted by a knife. By the eighth glass, she couldn't take it anymore and spat out a mouthful of blood. “Ugh—” The bright red blood splattered on the white tablecloth, which was a shocking sight. “I... I have to go...” She staggered to her feet, her vision going dark in waves. “Don't go,” Cynthia frowned, “We're having so much fun!” Amity broke free from her grasp and stumbled out. The sea breeze on the deck was icy cold. She leaned on the railing, gasping for breath. The pain in her stomach made her bend over, and she coughed up another mouthful of blood. Her vision went black, and she accidentally bumped into the railing, sending her tumbling over the edge. “Plop!” The icy seawater engulfed her instantly. Amity couldn't swim. The salty seawater filled her mouth and nose, and the suffocating sensation overwhelmed her. She struggled desperately in the water, vaguely seeing figures moving on the deck. “Help ...” She saw Lawrence rush to the railing, and was about to jump down, but then she heard someone shout, “Mr. Rodriguez! Cynthia fainted due to an allergic reaction to something she ate!” Lawrence’s figure froze. The next moment, he turned and left. In Amity’s final moments of consciousness, she saw Lawrence carrying Cynthia away in a hurry. Saltwater flooded her lungs, and darkness completely engulfed her.