There could be no forgiveness after what he
did to Ethan.
I didn’t understand his sudden display of
remorse. Wasn’t he in love with Sarah? My
disappearance should have been a blessing
<
for him. He could finally be with her and their
son would have no competition for the
inheritance.
So why was he torturing himself like this?
I didn’t understand him, and I didn’t want to.
I was part of the Ocean Conservation Project
now. We came from all over the world, and no
one asked about the past. We focused on the
ocean, on the ecosystem.
I was back where I belonged, no longer
trapped in that luxurious, empty prison of a
house.
<
Three months later, a cargo ship sank near
Panama. We were called in to clear the
debris.
I suited up, checked my oxygen tank, and
dove.
Three hours later, the job was done. Ellie, my
dive partner, high–fived me.
“You’re like a mermaid down there, Amy! I’m
so lucky to be on your team. You always stay a little longer on the seabed after a dive. Are you looking for something?”
<
I paused, then nodded. “Yes. I’m looking for
someone.”
Ellie laughed. “Ha! There’s no one down
there!”
I didn’t explain, quickly finishing up.
We spent a few days in Panama. The ocean.
was calm, and the beaches were covered with
starfish. I collected handfuls.
Ellie nudged me. “Hey, I’ve been watching
this guy. He’s been staring at you for ages.
He’s Asian, kind of cute. Think he likes you?”
I followed her gaze and froze.
<
Mark was standing on the beach, just
watching me.
I’d never seen him look so haggard. His hair
was messy, but his eyes shone with an
intense mix of hope and pain.
He saw me looking and, as if gathering all his
courage, walked towards me.
“Amy.” His voice cracked. “I finally found
you. I’ve been following your trail. I’ve finally found you.” Tears streamed down his face.
He reached out a hand, hesitant but hopeful.
“Amy, come home. I won’t let you get hurt
again.
I met his gaze and remembered him.
proposing, years ago. He’d held out his hand
the same way, asking me to come home with him. I’d cried tears of joy. Those words, to an orphan who’d never had a home, had been irresistible.
I’d thought he was my salvation.
He’d turned out to be my downfall.
This time, I looked him in the eye and took a step back.
“You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
く
I turned to walk away.
