Chapter 4

I thought that Brandon wouldn't come back on the last day. However, just as I was packing up my suitcase to head to the airport, his Beta, Justin Barker, brought me onto a yacht.

Brandon, whom I hadn't seen in days, pulled me toward a pile of gifts and said softly to me, "I know that I've neglected you lately, Lina, but today's your birthday. Do you like these gifts?"

While speaking, he put a pair of emerald earrings on me.

It wasn't until then that I realized it was my birthday today.

However, I didn't feel the least bit happy about it. I just pushed him aside and said, "I think I've already made myself very clear, Brandon."

I didn't think he would get angry about that. He glared intensely at me and said, "I know that you're just jealous, Lina, but I am the Alpha. Can't you be more understanding?

"I might love you, but I don't like your body or your figure. Your boobs aren't big enough, and you have a terrible sex appeal. Gwyneth and I are only helping each other with our needs. It's only normal."

He smirked at me in disdain and said, "Also, everyone already knows that you belong to me. Who else do you think dares to take you as their mate if you really broke up with me?"

His words felt like a rock against my heart. It felt as though he'd taken every ounce of my energy away. He made me feel that I never really knew him for who he really was after all.

He wrapped his arm around my waist and forced me to go along with him to entertain the guests on the yacht. I was very resistant toward his touch, and he growled in my ear, saying, "Behave yourself, Lina. Gwyneth is so much more well-behaved than you are.

"Did you know that she would do whatever it takes for me to touch her everywhere? I only betrayed you because you're not as seductive as she is. You should try harder to please me next time."

I felt my heart ache as a surge of anger and resentment threatened to overwhelm me. Instead, I forcefully shook his arm off and went onto the deck.

Brandon just watched me leave. He didn't even chase after me or come after me to comfort me. He thought that I could never bear to leave him. He thought I would continue to love him forever.

I had to admit that it used to be the case. But now, everything had changed.

The weather outside suddenly changed. A fierce wind howled loudly around us, and the waves battered relentlessly against the ship. I nearly lost my balance while standing on the deck.

Suddenly, Gwyneth appeared in front of me.

She was wearing an emerald necklace. I glanced at it briefly and realized that it was from the same set as my earrings.

"Don't you think that he loves you just because he gave you a gift, Adlina. What you're wearing is just something that I didn't want," she said.

I took off the earrings and smiled at her.

"Really? And here I was, thinking that you just liked picking up after my trash. Aren't you pretty happy sleeping with the wolf I didn't want anymore anyway?"

Gwyneth's face contorted in anger. She rushed up to me and growled in my ear, a sinister smile on her lips.

"Who do you think Donny is going to save if we both fell into the sea, Adlina? You? Or me?"

I widened my eyes in shock. However, before I could react, she suddenly grabbed my wrist and fell backward—headfirst into the water—pretending that I was the one who shoved her in.

Yet, just as she fell, she grabbed the hem of my shirt tightly and dragged me down into the sea with her.

As I was falling, I saw Brandon rushing up toward us. I saw the anxiety on his face and actually realized that I was still laughably harboring some hope toward him.

However, a split second later, I watched him throw the only lifebuoy onboard toward Gwyneth.

The waves pushed me farther out to sea, and the seawater crashed relentlessly on me and rushed into my mouth and nose. I struggled with all my might to stay afloat, choking as I instinctively reached toward Brandon.

Yet, I could only watch helplessly as he pulled Gwyneth back onboard.

I cried out in desperation, "Brandon! Save me! I can't swim!"

However, he didn't stay and left me behind, completely forgotten, in the middle of the deep blue sea.

Just before the last of my consciousness faded away, a familiar figure swam up to me, and I felt him lifting me into his arms.

Hendrick's shaky voice then sounded in my ears.

"Don't be afraid, Lina. I got you. I'm taking you away with me."

I curled up in his embrace and looked at Brandon's disappearing silhouette for the last time, bidding him a silent goodbye.

"I hope I never see you again, Brandon Clawhill."