Elara's eyes shot open in pain . She was back at the Blackwood estate . Damien was sitting on the edge of her bed , his gaze dark and menacing . " What did you just say about leaving ? " 2011 Her heart leaped into her throat . She feigned confusion , her voice hoarse . " Leaving ? What leaving ? I must have been delirious from the fever , just talking nonsense … " Damien stared at her for a long moment , then seemed to accept her explanation , releasing her hand . " Why didn't you tell me you were on your period ? And you stayed in that lake for so long . " Elara managed a weak smile . " If my suffering could earn her forgiveness for you , I'd rather not say anything . " Damien's expression grew complex . He asked again , " Do you really love me that much ? " Elara lowered her lashes . It wasn't love . She just had to maintain the fragile peace between the two families until Seraphina returned . Then , she could finally be free . " Just as Elara was about to refuse , Isabelle grabbed her hand warmly . " Don't say no . I've already cleared it with Damien . " Damien glanced at her , a silent warning not to spoil the mood . Eiara had no choice but to nod . Aboard the luxury yacht , the sea breeze was tinged with salt . Isabelle clung to Damien's side the entire time , laughing as she asked him to feed her fruit , apply her sunscreen , and even give her a piggyback ride to see the ocean view . Elara stood on the deck , her gaze fixed on the horizon , as if she were in another world entirely . It wasn't until Damien stepped away to take a call that Isabelle approached her . " You know , sometimes I really don't get you . " Elara turned to look at her . Isabelle squinted . " Everyone says you're madly in love with Damien , that you'd do anything for him . But shouldn't love involve some possessiveness ? " " I frame you , I make you apologize , and you show no emotion . He throws you into an icy lake , and you show no emotion . Even now , watching us together , you show no emotion … " She leaned closer to Elara , her voice a low whisper . " Do you even love him at all ? " Elara's lips twitched . Isabelle had guessed right , She didn't love Damien at all . Before a word could leave her mouth , a massive wave crashed against the yacht . " Ah- ! " 2011 Chapter 5 Both women lost their footing and were swept into the sea . 2011 C The frigid water instantly closed over their heads . The sharp metal edge of the yacht sliced a long gash in both their arms , and blood immediately began to cloud the water . " Someone fell overboard ! Man overboard ! We need help ! " The deck descended into chaos . A rescuer quickly dove into the sea but resurfaced moments later , his face grim . " Mr. Blackwood , their blood will attract sharks ! And they were washed in opposite directions ! To be safe , we can only rescue one of them at a time ! " Damien's face turned ashen as his eyes scanned the churning waves frantically . On one side , Isabelle was struggling desperately . On the other , Elara was being carried further and further " Save Isabelle first ! " he roared . By the time Elara heard his command , she had already swallowed several mouthfuls of salty seawater . She watched the rescuer swim toward Isabelle , watched the panic on Damien's face , and slowly closed her eyes . She should have known . In his heart , she would always be the one he was willing to sacrifice . Water filled her lungs , and her consciousness began to slip away . In a daze , she saw a dark shadow approaching rapidly . A shark . a away by the current . bitter smile touched her lips as she 1 A sharp , tearing pain shot up from her leg . Her last conscious image was of the azure water being stained , little by little , with her own blood . 2011