Chapter 1: Sinking and Surfacing

I plunged into the lake, dragging my half-sister with me.

My fiancé rushed right past me, heading straight for my younger sister. I was left to claw my way out of the water alone—soaked, bedraggled, and humiliated in front of everyone, my reputation drowning right there on the lake.

In that moment, the truth hit hard—even a childhood sweetheart can leave you stranded.

"Natalie, can’t you rein in that stubborn streak and learn from your sister’s gentleness? That’s what a wife should be."

So, on the day of the wedding, I switched places with my younger sister and fulfilled his wish.

But why did he show up at my door the very next day, eyes bloodshot, looking like he wanted to tear the world apart?

1

The icy lake water swallowed me up in an instant. My mouth and nose filled with cold water as I sank deeper.

The shock was physical—a Midwest July sun blazing above, but the lake’s chill grabbed my limbs like anchors. Everything went muffled except for the slosh and the pounding of my heart. I kicked hard, remembering freezing YMCA swimming lessons, desperate for air.

"Oh my God! Somebody help her!"

Shouts and screams broke out on the pontoon boat, echoing in my ears. Then another heavy splash—someone else had gone in.

A wave of panic hit, but survival took over. I clawed upward, my fingers numb, my chest burning. The promise of air above was tangled with the certainty of humiliation.

As soon as my head broke the surface, I saw a familiar figure in black swimming straight toward me.

I blinked, water stinging my eyes, hope fluttering in my chest. The world blurred except for that one shape—Derek, my Derek, coming to save me.

My eyes lit up. Instinctively, I reached out for help. "Derek..."

But he swam right past me without so much as a glance.

My outstretched hand froze in the air. A chill deeper than the lake water crept up my spine. For a second, I wondered if I was invisible.

I watched, stunned, as Derek—his face twisted with panic—swam straight to my half-sister, Aubrey.

He scooped Aubrey into his arms and brought her to shore.

Feeling the trembling girl in his embrace, he paused to comfort her. "Aubrey, don’t be scared. I’m here. I’ve got you."

He brushed her damp hair from her cheek with a tenderness that made my throat ache. People on the shore clapped and murmured encouragement. Someone tossed Derek a towel as he cradled her, and for a moment, it was like a scene from a small-town drama—heroic, perfect, everyone else fading away.

The sight was so jarring I forgot to tread water.

I could only watch as my fiancé abandoned me to save my younger sister.

The boat was small, so no staff had come, and none of the pampered guests dared to jump in after me.

Some of the guests pressed their faces to their phones, streaming the chaos to their group chats. Others hung back, nervous, clutching their designer clothes. My humiliation was being watched by more than just those on the boat.

In the end, I had no choice but to climb back onto the boat by myself.

I was soaked from head to toe, my hair sticking in messy strands to my skin.

Cold water streamed down my legs, pooling on the sun-warmed deck. My flip-flops squelched with every step, and I shivered as the lake breeze sliced through me.

It was summer, and my thin sundress, now drenched, hid nothing. The red bra underneath was faintly visible.

A few of the guys nearby gave me odd looks, their eyes lingering a little too long.

"Damn, Natalie, didn’t know you had it like that."

A couple of them snickered, phones out—probably thinking about the next viral snap.