Chapter 2

My mind went completely blank.

The salty wind slapped against my face. My eyes burned, and I couldn't tell whether it was sea mist or tears wet on my cheeks.

Amber pulled back, tugging Julian’s arm with a pout.

"Julian, take me diving."

Julian hesitated for a split second, then patted her head affectionately.

"Alright."

While Julian went to the gear shop to prep their equipment, Amber turned on her heels and strutted toward me. Her chin was tilted up like a victorious gladiator.

"Hi there, wifey."

"You know who I am?" I asked, my voice surprisingly steady.

"Your photo is his lock screen wallpaper. Hard to miss."

His wallpaper had always been a photo from our first dive after we officially got together. Coming out of the water, he had pulled me into his side and held up the camera. The photo captured the moment his lips pressed against my temple while I beamed at the lens. He had insisted on keeping it as his wallpaper, claiming he needed my face to be the first thing he saw every morning.

Amber’s lips curled into a smirk.

"Julian told me you’re a sentimental fool. As long as he keeps that photo on his screen, he has an automatic get-out-of-jail-free card with you."

A dry, bitter laugh escaped my throat. Back when I was young, I believed that love conquered all. That stupid wallpaper had softened my heart so many times. Now, it was just pathetic.

I looked straight into her eyes, keeping my voice flat.

"Why do this? You know he’s married."

She threw her head back and laughed loudly, as if I had cracked a joke.

"Honey, in modern love, the one who isn’t loved is the real intruder."

She looked me up and down with open disgust.

"I can go on adventures with him. And look at you—just a tired, faded housewife. Do you even know how to put on a wetsuit?"

I smiled mirthlessly. So that was why he refused to take me. He was saving his energy for his little side adventure.

"I just hope you don't end up where I am," I said quietly.

I turned and walked toward the dive shop. The smug satisfaction on Amber’s face cracked. She grabbed my wrist.

"Where do you think you’re going?"

I snatched my hand back, cold disgust dripping from my words.

"What does it look like? I'm going diving."

Amber sneered.

"Don’t embarrass yourself. No instructor around here would take someone who can’t even remember the basic hand signals."