Chapter 2 The Mermaid Chapter 2 The Mermaid +5 Free Coins Jamie Brewer replied to her text , " Well , well , look who's back . Haven't heard from you in ages , and now you want to buy one of my islands ? That's pretty bold , Dana . " His playful , devil - may - care tone rubbed Dana the wrong way . But she supposed it made sense . It had been so long since they'd seen each other that he didn't even call her by her old nickname -Dee - anymore . Jamie had once been her and Hunter's closest friend . The three of them had grown up together . But two years ago , after a massive falling - out , she and Jamie had cut ties completely . That was the year Celine came into Hunter's life , and Dana became the city's favorite joke . It was Jamie who stood up for her , acting like a spoiled rich kid out of some tabloid scandal , putting everyone who mocked her in their place . He'd offered to take her away that day , away from all the hurt and humiliation . But Dana had refused . " I'm engaged , " she'd said . " Hunter is my fiancé . " She could still remember the disappointment in Jamie's eyes as he told her , " Engaged ? You seriously didn't know ? Hunter's already moved on . If he can fall in love with someone else , why can't you ? " Dee , he doesn't love you anymore . So how about this ? Starting today , let me protect you instead . " Dana had known what he meant . She wasn't clueless . But back then , her heart had only room for Hunter . They parted on bad terms and never spoke again . But look at where that decision had brought her - battered , bloodied , and broken . A flicker of regret crossed her mind . Maybe she should've gone with Jamie back then . Still , it wasn't too late for her to see through everything . " Cut the crap , " she said now . " Do you have one or not ? Just say it - I can hear you ." There was a pause on the line . " Your hearing's back ? " Jamie sounded stunned . Dana didn't reply . Jamie gave a sheepish chuckle . " Yeah , yeah , of course I have one . If you want an island , then I guess I better have one . Thing is , I'm overseas handling a few things . Three more days , tops . Once I'm done , I'll come pick you up myself and send you there . How does that sound ? " Dana had been planning to refuse , but she quickly realized - his islands were all private . The only way there was by speedboat or yacht , and she didn't have anyone she could trust to sell her one discreetly . Buying it herself would attract attention , and she didn't want anyone - especially not Hunter - knowing she was leaving . Besides , in her condition , she couldn't even stand on her own , let alone travel . " Alright ," she said at last . " I'll send you my location when it's time . " 1/3 2:56 pm G ppp . Chapter 2 The Mermaid She hung up and collapsed back onto the ground . There was no more strength left in her to fight off the dogs circling her . As Dana's consciousness began to slip away , the warehouse door burst open . Hunter was the first to charge in , calling her name again and again , his voice frantic . Dana forced her eyes open . Was she imagining it ? Was Hunter crying ? Why ? Why cry now , when he was the one who put her through all this ? She didn't understand . Was this just another performance ? If it was , then she had to admit - he was good . Good enough to fool her for three whole years . She blacked out again . When she woke , she overheard the sound of Hunter and his friends talking nearby . 45 Free Coins Hunter muttered , " The doctor said if we didn't make it on time , she'd be dead . That was way too close . We can't let that happen again . " Someone else scoffed . " So what ? If she dies , she dies . Trash like her - who cares ? " Hunter frowned ; he cut in , firm . " That's not an option ." " Hunter , " another friend said , " you've never gone soft on her before . What's wrong with you ? Did you fall for her ? And Hunter had a rare blood type - Rh- negative . Donors were nearly impossible to find . But Dana knew they were a match . She gritted her teeth and gave every last drop she could to make sure he had all the blood he needed . She passed out right after , unconscious for two days . Even after she woke , she could barely move . Still , when she heard Hunter had made it through , her heart settled with relief . She'd begged her friends not to tell him . She didn't want him to worry . Didn't want him to feel guilty . To keep up the lie , she hadn't even gone to see him . Told him she had a trip abroad . 2/3 2:56 pm GP pp . Chapter 2 The Mermaid When he was discharged , they finally met again . And after that , things changed . The man who'd always ignored Celine suddenly started to entertain her . Their relationship grew closer by the day . And Dana , his fiancée , became invisible - just another joke for everyone to laugh at . For a long time , she couldn't figure it out . Why did Hunter's feelings change so fast ? Now she understood . It was the story of the prince and the mermaid , with her sacrificing everything and ending up as the bubble . 45 Free Coins Across the room , Hunter's face darkened at his friends ' accusations . He shook his head . " The only one I love is Celine . I'm just repaying a favor to her family , that's all . " Her family was good to mine . Before they passed , her parents asked us to look after Dana . So she can't die . " Almost like he needed to convince himself , Hunter repeated , even softer this time , " That's right . The only one I love is Celine . "