The storm at sea came without warning.

The intercom repeatedly broadcast emergency announcements, requiring all passengers to immediately return to their cabins and lock their doors.

I felt strangely relieved - at least I wouldn't have to face Kieran and Scarlett anymore.

Taking advantage of the weak signal still available, I quickly transferred all three million from the auction and connected to Butler's phone.

"After we dock, please give this card to Uncle. Tell him it's thanks for all these years of raising me. It's not much, just a token of my gratitude."

There was a moment of silence on the other end before Butler's worried voice came through.

"Miss, what's this about?"

"I'm fine."

I interrupted him, trying to make my tone lighter.

"After we dock, I won't be going back. I'll go directly to meet the Alpha that Grandfather arranged for me."

Before I could finish speaking, the ship suddenly tilted violently to one side.

The lights overhead flickered frantically, things crashed to the floor, and screams could be heard even outside my door.

My heart tightened as I shouted into the phone.

"Something's wrong with the ship! I need to find Uncle first!"

I pulled open the door to find the hallway in complete chaos. People were crying and screaming everywhere.

In this moment, all grudges and emotions were cast aside.

Fear left me with only one thought.

Find Kieran!

I just wanted to hear his voice, just wanted him to come get me.

I pushed against the panicked crowd, struggling toward his suite.

People kept bumping into me, shoving me around.

I tripped over something on the floor, a sharp pain shooting through my ankle as I crashed heavily onto the cold, slippery deck.

Affected by the silver injury just now, I couldn't shift or heal myself.

I tried to stand, but my right ankle couldn't bear any weight.

Just then, the ship let out a teeth-grinding sound of fracturing metal.

Countless gallons of icy seawater came rushing up from the lower decks.

"The ship is sinking!"

I sat paralyzed in the freezing water, shaking all over.

Crying, I pulled out my phone and dialed that number I knew by heart with trembling fingers. It rang only once before being answered.

"Uncle! Uncle, save me!"

I sobbed incoherently.

"The ship is sinking! My foot is sprained and I can't move! Where are you? Please come find me..."

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

Then came Scarlett's voice, laced with malicious laughter.

"Aria, you really are like a ghost that won't leave. Why can I always hear your voice no matter what? What, sprained your foot? Can't move? Then don't move. Drowning or getting crushed - pick one."

All the blood in my body froze.

Her voice grew more amused, filled with undisguised satisfaction.

"Perfect, saves me the trouble of getting rid of you later. About to die and you still call to make trouble? Let me tell you, Kieran is helping me find life jackets right now. He doesn't have time for unlucky trash like you!"

"Please, just give him the phone, please..."

I begged desperately.

The seawater had reached my ankles, so cold my teeth were chattering.

"Go die."

She spoke those words lightly, then hung up.

I called back frantically, only to hear the cold automated message that the phone was turned off.

Once, twice...

I could only hear the busy signal.

He really didn't want me anymore. Even my last hope of survival was cut off by someone else with his permission.

Overwhelming despair and cold instantly swallowed me.

The seawater kept rising, already past my waist. The bone-piercing cold and the agony in my ankle nearly made me lose consciousness.

All around was an apocalyptic scene, and I was abandoned at the center of this despair.

Just as my consciousness began to blur, a steady male voice cut through the chaos above my head.

"Miss, do you need help?"

Through blurred, tearful eyes, I looked up to see a tall figure standing before me against the chaotic light and shadow.

I couldn't make out his features, only saw a strong hand extended toward me.

Tears fell even more violently as I grasped at this final lifeline, nodding through my sobs.

"Yes, please help me."

He bent down, carefully avoiding my injured ankle, and lifted me steadily in his powerful arms.

Through the chaotic crowd and rising seawater, he quickly made his way toward the deck where the lifeboats were stationed.

As he settled me in a relatively safe position on the lifeboat, I instinctively looked back.

At the other end of the chaotic deck, I immediately spotted that familiar figure.

Kieran was protecting Scarlett, anxiously searching for an escape route. His jacket remained conspicuous even in the gray gloom.

Once, that figure had been my entire sense of security.

But now, my heart felt only deathly calm.

In the pouring rain, I turned my head away without any lingering attachment.