20
Adrian’s scream tore through the air.
“Vanessa! What are you doing?!”
Ignoring the chaos, I looked out over the ocean. Bella thrashed and pretended to struggle, trying to milk every ounce of sympathy. Smiling softly, I gave her a small nod of gratitude, spread my arms, and jumped into the water.
11:12 AM
<
Bella, shocked, stopped struggling for a moment, then clenched her teeth and screamed louder, calling for help. Adrian was the first to reach the water, but, predictably, he went straight for her, swimming right past me.
From the shore, Jonah, unable to swim, leaned over the edge, screaming, “Save Mom! I want my mom! Don’t let her die!”
It was Ethan who dived in after me, catching hold of me just as I was sinking beneath the waves. By the time he’d pulled me to the surface, Adrian had already dragged Bella to safety onshore. Through the blur of seawater, I could still make out Bella’s triumphant smirk.
7
Jonah was crying hysterically, beating his fists against Adrian and demanding to know why he hadn’t saved me first. Adrian shrugged, his expression indifferent as he folded his arms.
“What do you know? Your mother got jealous and pushed Bella into the water. If something happened, she’d end up in jail. I was saving her.”
