t was a true paradise . I followed the map to the house I had booked , a beautiful two - story cottage that was a world away from my old home . The few families on the island were warm and welcoming . Soon , I had made friends . Months later , I gave birth to the little girl I had longed to meet . Living by the sea , I named her Marina . Strangely , after she was born , I could no longer hear her thoughts . But one thing was certain : she loved the water and was a natural . By the time she was five , she was an expert swimmer and diver . The two of us became a familiar sight in the blue waters off Driftwood Isle . Freediving became my passion and my career . I recently competed in the World Freediving Championship and set a new record with a 110 - meter dive . The small island became a destination for diving enthusiasts . My friends opened a guesthouse , and I work- ed as a diving instructor and lifeguard . One weekend afternoon , a new group of visitors arrived on a private yacht . The man leading them was tall and effortlessly comm- anded attention . " Lena , look ! " one of the local girls whispered excitedly . " That guy is gorgeous ! " My fists clenched . It was Damian . I hadn't seen him in five years . 8 I didn't know how he found me . Or maybe he hadn't . Maybe he was just another tourist . That evening , the island held its usual welcome party . I stood on the deck in my lifeguard vest , on watch for any trouble . When Da- mian and his friends entered , they caused a stir . " Do you know who that is ? " a tourist whispered . " He's the head of the Nordling Group . Rich , handsome , and I heard he's single . " " Single ? I thought his wife went missing , " another countered . Missing ? Seraphina was missing? Before I could process it , a friend pulled me into the center of the crowd . " Everyone , I'd like to introduce you to the diving goddess of Driftwood Isle , Lena ! " I gave a small , practiced bow , keenly aware of a searing gaze fixed on me . " For anyone who wants to learn to dive , " my friend announced , " Lena will be giving free introductory lessons ! " " I'll be first , " a deep voice cut through the chatter . It was Damian . His eyes were full of a complex emotion I couldn't read . Later that night , I was in the storeroom gathering equipment when Damian cornered me . " Lena , " he said , stepping towards me , his hands outstretched . I flinched away . " I ... I finally found you . Do you have any idea what these past five years have been like ? I searched over a dozen countries . If you hadn't entered that competition , I don't know how much longer it would have taken . " He pulled out his phone and showed me a saved video of my post - competition interview . Then he played another clip , an unreleas- ed " missing persons " ad he had filmed . In it , he announced that his wife , Lena Reed , was missing . So , I was the missing wife . Mr. Nordling , " I said , my voice flat , " I think you're mistaken . Your wife is not named Lena . " 11 57 Chapter 2 " No ! " he said desperately . " Lena , I never married Seraphina . Our engagement was called off five years ago , right after you disappe- ared . " " Oh , " I said calmly . " And what does that have to do with me ? I am not your wife . " He pulled out the old , worn marriage certificate . " Lena , look . We are husband and wife . " I just laughed . The name on it was still "Liam . " As if he understood , he frantically pulled out his ID . " Look ! I had my name legally changed back . Lena , I'm still Liam . I'll always be Liam . " For a moment , he looked just like the reckless eighteen - year - old boy who had confessed his love to me . But no one can ever go back to being eighteen . Not me , and not him . 9 " Mr. Nordling , we ended a long time ago . " I tried to walk past him , but he grabbed my arm . " Lena , I was wrong , " he said , his head bowed in shame . " All those so - called respon- sibilities ... they were meaningless . I was lost , I thought power was the most important thing . But now I know . My only responsibility is to you , and to our child . " His eyes lit up with a desperate hope . " Lena , where is our child ? Is it ... a boy or a girl ? " Before I could tell him he had no right to ask , a shout interrupted us . " Lena ! Where are you ? Your daughter , Marina , went into the water and she's vanished ! " My mind went blank . I looked at Damian , and then we were both running . I pushed through the crowd on the shore and , without a second's hesitation , dove into the dark water . Behind me , I heard Damian scream my name , followed by another splash . A minute later , I found Marina tangled in seaweed . I freed her and hauled her onto a rescue boat . She had swallowed some water but was otherwise fine . " I told you not to dive at night ! " I yelled , my fear turning to anger . " Why don't you ever listen ? " She was just a five - year - old girl . She started to sob . " Mommy , I'm sorry ! I'll never do it again ! " I hugged her tight , just as I heard Da- mian roaring from another boat nearby . " What the hell are you doing ?! Go find them ! " " Mr. Nordling , calm down , get on the boat ! " " Calm down ?! She'll be dead by the time you find her ! " He tried to dive back in , but the boat's crew held him back . " Sir , Lena is an expert diver ! You're not even wearing a life vest ! " Damian's eyes were wild , his voice cracking . " Get the hell off me and let me save my wife and child ! " Just then , someone spotted us . " Look ! They're over there ! They're safe ! " Damian went still . He stared at me across the water , and tears streamed down his face , Later , on the yacht , he sat soaked and silent , his eyes fixed on Marina as if she were a priceless treasure he'd almost lost forever . Marina just hid in my arms . " Mommy , " she whispered , " who is that man ? " In the end , I never accepted Damian's apologies . I never gave him another chance . And Marina never accepted him as her father . I heard later that Damian never married or had any other children . He left his entire fortune to his only daughter , leaving it up to her to decide whether to accept it when she came of age . 111 ( End) 1157 Chapter 2 As for me , I lived out my days , happy and and free , on the island island I loved , loved , surrounded by the sea that had always been my home . www . In "CEO, Those Twins Look Just Like You" by CrushReel, a single mother's life takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with a charming playboy who unknowingly holds a billionaire secret. As their worlds collide, secrets unravel and hearts intertwine in this captivating romance novel set in a modern office backdrop. Amidst the challenges of raising twins solo, our protagonist finds herself drawn to the enigmatic playboy, unaware of the wealth and complexity hidden beneath his charismatic facade. 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