Chapter 6

"Thank you," Kaelis said softly before folding the scarf and slipping it back into the paper bag. Her voice was quiet, yet it was enough to hush the lively deck for a fleeting moment. When the cheers resumed, Garrick was already in the center of the dance floor, holding Lyra in his arms as they swayed gracefully. His hand rested lightly on her waist, so tenderly that it was as if he were cradling a priceless treasure. The sea breeze suddenly cut cold. Kaelis turned around and walked toward the stern. She gripped the railing and gazed out at the endless darkness. The moonlight spilled across the restless waves, scattering into shards of silver. It was like the pieces of her broken heart. "Ms. Windryn, why are you out here alone?" Lyra's voice suddenly sounded from behind. Kaelis replied faintly without looking back, "Getting some air." Lyra walked toward her and deliberately flaunted the diamond necklace on her neck. "Garrick gave this to me. Isn't it beautiful?" Kaelis kept her eyes on the sea and said nothing. "How pitiful." Lyra leaned in and whispered in her ear, "You've known him for so many years, yet all you got was a freebie scarf. Isn't it clear by now? Garrick doesn't want you anymore. The woman he loves now is me." "Oh," Kaelis responded calmly. Her response lit a fire of fury in Lyra's eyes. Lyra narrowed her eyes, and her voice carried a hint of venom. "What kind of attitude is that? Are you still clinging to false hope? Fine! Then let me show you who truly matters to him now." She let out a shrill scream and hurled herself into the sea before Kaelis could answer. "Help! Garrick, save me!" Kaelis stood motionlessly, watching detachedly as Lyra thrashed in the waves. She had expected her move, but never imagined that Lyra would go to such extremes. "Kaelis!" Garrick's furious voice erupted from behind. He seized her wrist in a crushing grip before she could even turn around. His grip was so strong that she felt like her bones would snap. "Why did you push Lyra?" His eyes burned with fury. "Are you insane?" "I didn't." She looked at him calmly. "Garrick! Help… Help me…" Lyra's cries grew weaker. He shoved Kaelis aside and barked orders to the bodyguards rushing over. "Watch her!" With that, he jumped into the sea without hesitation. Kaelis watched him cut through the waves desperately toward Lyra from the deck. In the moonlight, his figure was resolute. There wasn't even the slightest trace of hesitation. He was as fearless as he once was when he leapt into the pool to save her. The only difference was that Kaelis was no longer the woman worth risking his life for. Everyone gathered around them when he finally climbed back abroad with Lyra in his arms. Some people handed them towels, while some called for doctors. The scene was utter chaos. "Kaelis!" He carefully handed the soaked Lyra over to the medics before turning around and striding toward her, ready to settle the score. "Even if you're upset about the gift, you had no right to push her! Were you trying to kill her?" Kaelis looked up at Garrick. The man who had once shielded her from every storm was now glaring at her with hatred for another woman. She suddenly found it amusing. The corners of her lips curled into a smile. "I told you. I didn't push her. She jumped!" He sneered. His laugh carved into her heart like a blade. "Do you expect me to believe that?" He turned to the bodyguards and barked, "Lock her in the punishment room! Let her reflect on what she's done!" Kaelis found it absurd when the two towering men dragged her forward. She tried to struggle free, but it was useless. The door to the punishment room slammed shut behind her, and darkness swallowed everything. Her pupils shrank sharply when the blinding light flooded the room without warning. The floors, the walls, and even the ceiling writhed with countless snakes with their forked tongues flicking in and out. Their coiling bodies shimmered under the harsh glare, glinting with a cold sheen.