Chapter 7

Margot stared at Cameron in disbelief, her gaze ice cold. "The only thing I did wrong was saving her mother!" Cameron's expression darkened instantly. "Margot, when did you become so cruel and irrational?" Then, he had someone bring out two urns. "I had someone collect what was left of your mother's and sister's ashes. But whether you get them back depends on you." Margot's eyes brimmed with tears. She clenched her teeth as she stared at Cameron. She said, "Even if Vera's mother is uncomfortable, the hospital has doctors and nurses, the most advanced equipment in the country. But you, a colonel, are foolish enough to believe in Vera's deepwater kelp? Cameron, don't you find that ridiculous?" Cameron's expression remained cold and indifferent. "Margot, I won't repeat myself." Margot looked at Cameron with near despair. Something inside her died as she gave in and nodded. "Fine. I'll go." ... Soon, Margot was taken out to sea on a fishing boat. This stretch of water wasn't particularly deep. The deepest point was only 30 feet, but at night, even that was dangerous. Fully suited up, Margot stared at Cameron sitting in the cabin with Vera, sipping imported wine. Her heart was numb. Vera held her wine glass to Cameron's lips. "Cameron, making Dr. Monroe dive in this freezing weather won't cause problems, will it?" Cameron tilted his head back and drained the glass, a slight smile playing at his lips. "When Margot was stressed overseas, she took up diving. She even broke records once. Don't worry." The biting sea wind whipped across Margot's face. She unconsciously clenched her right hand. Cameron seemed to have forgotten that the tendons in her hand had been severed. Bright lights illuminated the water's surface. Margot jumped in, and the icy water instantly engulfed her. The ocean floor at night, even with lights, had a visibility of less than three feet. Margot kept swimming deeper. Only by getting what she needed as quickly as possible could she ensure her safety. She'd just reached the ocean floor, 30 feet deep, when she suddenly saw a school of fish rushing frantically toward her. Before Margot could react, a massive manta ray slammed into her. A sharp pain shot through her abdomen. Ignoring her torn wound, Margot flailed her arms just enough to steady herself. But the next second, Margot saw what was chasing the school of fish. A massive great white shark. Panic shot through her. She was about to swim upward when she caught sight of the deepwater kelp Vera had mentioned, floating just below her feet. Margot glanced at the shark drawing closer. Images of the ashes being trampled underfoot flashed through her mind. She gritted her teeth, dove down sharply to grab the kelp, and shot upward at full speed. But the next second, the shark lunged at her, its jaws gaping wide. Margot didn't dare hesitate. She ripped off her portable oxygen tank and hurled it at the shark, buying herself a few precious seconds. Just as she was about to reach the surface, her wrist exploded in tearing pain. She didn't even have the strength to move her arms anymore. Without oxygen, her mind began to empty. Even her consciousness started to fade. Just as she began sinking toward the shark's gaping maw, the water's surface suddenly erupted. A figure dove frantically toward her. Margot looked at Cameron's panicked face and suddenly found it absurdly funny. If she could go back, she wished she'd never met him.