Chapter 3

The next day, Alex and Chloe came to the cellar together.

"Evelyn," Chloe walked toward me with an apologetic expression, "I want to apologize for what happened last time. About those two men... maybe I misheard."

Her acting skills were truly remarkable. She had orchestrated everything herself, yet now she was pretending she might have been mistaken.

I looked at her coldly, offering no response.

Alex cleared his throat, appearing somewhat uncomfortable. "Evelyn, I know confining you here was harsh. But when I saw Chloe being attacked, her clothes torn... I was furious at the time."

"I really want to make peace with you, Evelyn," Chloe continued, "Alex told me you love watching sunsets over the ocean. How romantic! I'd like to experience that too. Maybe we could go sailing together? As a fresh start."

Alex nodded, his voice carrying a hint of forced guilt. "I was too harsh back then. I just want you and Chloe to get along. I know you're in pain right now. But Chloe genuinely wants to reconcile with you."

I did love ocean sunsets. Once upon a time, if I could have watched a perfect sunset with him, I would have been moved to tears.

But now, those beautiful memories were like shattered glass, each fragment cutting into my heart like a blade.

"No." I refused coldly.

Chloe's eyes filled with tears. "Please, Evelyn. I know there are misunderstandings between us, but I truly want us to get along peacefully. After all, we both love the same man."

Just then, my phone suddenly vibrated.

A message from my father: "Your 8 PM flight tonight. My people will pick you up."

Seeing this message, I suddenly didn't want to entangle myself with them anymore.

"Fine," I closed my phone and said expressionlessly, "let's go watch the sunset."

Alex and Chloe exchanged a meaningful glance, then he forced a smile. "Wonderful. Let's head out right away."

An hour later, we walked toward the dock. Alex seemed particularly attentive, constantly asking if I needed a jacket or if I'd get seasick.

If I could turn back time, I would have been moved by such concern. But now...

Now I just felt sick.

After boarding the yacht, Alex said, "I'll go check the engine, make sure everything's running properly," then disappeared below deck.

The moment he left, Chloe's gentle, caring facade completely vanished. She approached me, her voice low and venomous.

"You really think this romantic boat trip is about making peace?" she sneered. "How naive."

I was stunned at first, then felt a chill run down my spine. "What else are you planning to do? Wasn't killing my child enough?"

"I deliberately invited you here, dear Evelyn," Chloe said, running her finger along the yacht's railing. "You know what's most interesting? Just one small hole in the fuel line, and this entire boat becomes a death trap."

Looking at the triumphant expression on Chloe's face, I finally understood. "You planned all of this from the beginning, didn't you?"

"Oh, don't look so surprised," she laughed softly. "Did you really think you could win Alex back? When this boat catches fire, guess who he'll save first?"

She meaningfully caressed her belly. "The mother of his child, of course. As for you... all sorts of accidents can happen at sea."

I held my breath. "You're insane. You're pregnant, how dare you take such a risk? If something goes wrong..."

Chloe's smile became even more malicious. "Perfect, this child still has its uses. Do you think Alex will choose to save a wife he's grown tired of, or save his unborn child?"

A hint of madness flashed in her eyes. "Alex will always choose me. Even if you're drowning, even if you're begging desperately—he'll choose me and our child every time."

Just then, a loud crash came from below deck.

BOOM!

The entire boat shook violently, then thick smoke began pouring from the bottom.

"Damn! Fuel leak!" Alex shouted. "The boat's going to explode! Run!"

Flames began to spread. The air filled with the acrid smell of gasoline.

I tried to run toward the lifeboat, but a burning piece of wood suddenly fell, injuring my left leg.

Sharp pain shot through my entire body. I was trapped underneath, unable to move.

"Alex... please... don't leave me..." I reached out desperately.

Alex looked at me, a flicker of struggle in his eyes.

But when Chloe screamed, "Save our child," his gaze became resolute.

"Wait for me to come back..." he said, his voice low and cruel. "Chloe needs me more. She's carrying our child. You'll be fine."

He scooped up Chloe and jumped into the lifeboat.

So this is how it ends, I thought weakly. After everything... this is how my story concludes. Even at the end, he still chose her.

The flames drew closer. The thick smoke choked me. My consciousness began to fade.

Just as I was about to lose consciousness, urgent footsteps approached.

"Miss Sterling! Miss Sterling!"