Chapter 5

Natalie's POV

I looked up at Ethan instinctively, surprised he would actually help me.

Vivian was grinding her teeth, but she smiled and changed the subject.

"You know Chris always jokes around. Why turn on your friend over an outsider? We came to set off fireworks. I'll go light them."

Ethan nodded, his tone softening.

"I'll help."

"No need."

Vivian deliberately held his arm tighter.

"I told you this fireworks show is my gift to you and Grandpa. You just need to enjoy it."

Ethan smiled and reached up to tap her nose.

He glanced unconsciously in my direction, but I wasn't even looking at them. I was looking down at my phone.

I looked up at the same moment and saw the row of fireworks in the yard tip over due to Vivian's "mistake," the launch tubes aimed directly at where I stood.

"Watch out!"

Ethan's face changed. He rushed forward, but as he passed me, he accidentally knocked me to the ground.

Before I could react, I saw Ethan shield Vivian tightly under his body. The next second, exploding fireworks splashed into my eyes.

Instantly, searing pain exploded deep in my eyeballs. It hurt so much I couldn't even scream.

I tried instinctively to move away, but waves of flames burned my hair and back, searing through my clothes, scorching my skin.

Endless darkness and terror overwhelmed me. All I could do was crawl desperately sideways, my fingers searching blindly for an escape route.

Just as I reached my breaking point, my fingers suddenly touched someone's shoe.

Like a drowning person grabbing driftwood, I clutched desperately at their pant leg.

Even using all my strength to steady myself, my voice shook terribly.

"Please, help me..."

But before I finished, the person in front of me pulled away without hesitation.

A familiar deep voice hit like a hammer, shattering my last shred of hope.

"Natalie, Vivian passed out. I'm taking her out of here first. Find somewhere safe and wait for me. I'll be right back."

I let go, all hope gone. Then, with my burning, bloodshot eyes, I struggled inch by inch toward the edge.

The next second, a pair of hands suddenly helped me up.

I was trembling all over, about to thank them, when someone shoved me hard. I fell heavily into the pool.

Mocking laughter erupted by the poolside.

"Natalie, a drowned rat should look like a drowned rat. How dare you compete with Vivian for a man? Did you go abroad, find out no man wanted you, and decide to come back crawling to Ethan? Give up that idea. Once Mr. Pierce Senior recovers, they're getting married. So behave yourself, or we'll make your life hell."

I struggled in the water despite the pain throughout my body. I tried to speak, but my throat made no sound. Finally, exhausted, my body sank uncontrollably toward the deep end.

The suffocating feeling made me lose consciousness completely.

When I woke up again, the heavy smell of disinfectant filled my nose.

The hospital room was empty and quiet. So quiet I could hear doctors talking in the hallway.

"The patient's cornea is severely ruptured and detached. There's an extremely high probability of blindness..."

The doctor's words stabbed into my heart like blades. I bolted upright. Pain shot through my entire body. In my agitation, I practically rolled out of bed.