Chapter 1

The yacht was going down. A massive whirlpool spun in the dark ocean, and water was rapidly filling the cabins.

My wife, Chloe, was already on the rescue boat with her childhood sweetheart, Julian. She tossed me a single lifebuoy.

Looking back at me with impatience, she yelled, "Ethan, you're a strong swimmer, but Julian has a phobia of water! If he doesn't take the lifeboat, he’ll die!"

With that, Chloe abandoned me. I could only watch as the rescue boat carrying them sped away into the night.

But she forgot one thing. Ten years ago, the person who nearly drowned and developed a crippling fear of water to save her life... was me.

As the freezing, pitch-black ocean swallowed me whole, I felt myself slipping into the deep.

I died.

When I regained consciousness, I was floating above the ocean as a ghost.

Looking down at the calm, silent water, a deep, instinctual terror gripped my soul. The memories of my death came rushing back like a nightmare.

The sinking yacht, the panicked screams, and the cold, disgusted look in my wife’s eyes.

When the whirlpool first hit, the vessel shook violently. My first instinct had been to shield Chloe in my arms. The impact threw me against a heavy wooden table, bruising my spine.

My vision blurred, and my chest throbbed with excruciating pain.

But Chloe didn't even spare me a glance. She pushed me away in a panic and stumbled through the chaos toward Julian.

I watched her gently help Julian up, checking him for scratches with an tenderness she had never shown me. A dull, aching pain bloomed in my chest.

Then, someone yelled, "The hull is breached! It's sinking! Get to the lifeboats!"

Terrified, Chloe grabbed Julian’s hand and ran.

I stared at their retreating figures, a bitter taste in my mouth.

It was always like this. Whenever Julian was around, Chloe became completely blind to my existence. Yet, I was her legal husband.

As the water rose to my waist, I forced myself to stand, desperately fighting the pain in my back to escape. Luckily, a coast guard member spotted me and dragged me out to the deck.

But before I could even feel relief, Chloe's voice pierced through the wind, freezing me in place.

"What do you mean there are only two spots left on this lifeboat?"

The rescue officer nodded grimly.

Chloe noticed me coming out. Her brows furrowed, torn between her choices.

Julian, his face pale and weak, spoke up. "Chloe, you and Ethan should go. He’s your husband. I... I'll be fine."

Chloe’s expression changed instantly. "No way! You saved my life once, Julian. I will never abandon you!"

She turned to me, biting her lip, and said decisively, "Ethan, you know how to swim. I'll leave the lifebuoy for you."

With that, she turned around and helped Julian onto the rescue boat.

I stared at her, unable to believe my ears. Swallowing the immense grief rising in my throat, I begged, "Chloe, please. Don't leave me here. You know I—"

Chloe looked back, cutting me off with pure irritation. "If you don't stay, who will? You saw it yourself—there are only two seats left. Do you expect me to stay behind?"

"No, that’s not what I mean..."

"Then what is your problem? You're a great swimmer. You have the lifebuoy. You’ll be perfectly fine!" Her eyes flashed with annoyance, as if I were a spoiled child throwing a tantrum.

"But Julian is different. He has a severe phobia of water. If he doesn't get on this boat, he will die!"

Her tone grew harsher. "I tolerate your petty jealousy on normal days, Ethan, but this is a matter of life and death! Can you stop being so incredibly selfish?"

I froze, feeling as though she had plunged a dagger straight into my heart.

But if I stayed here, I would die too.

Yes, I used to swim. But she forgot that ten years ago, after I nearly lost my life saving her from drowning, I became terrified of the water. I hadn't stepped into a pool since, let alone the ocean. It was me who had the phobia, not Julian.

Julian smirked triumphantly behind her back, though his voice remained meek. "I’m terrified of the water, and Chloe knows that. I'm sorry to trouble you, Ethan. Don't worry, Chloe and I are just friends now. We will send help for you as soon as we land."

"Why are you even explaining things to him, Julian? Ignore him. A toxic mind only sees toxicity," Chloe snapped.

And just like that, I was left behind, watching them disappear into the fog.

Seconds later, the yacht went under. Cold, salty water rushed into my nose and throat.

Recalling my final moments, a sharp pain radiated through my spectral body. So, even souls can feel heartbreak.