She hesitated for only a second. Then she turned around decisively, shielding Tyler as she led him back into the villa.
Bang.
The door slammed shut—as if sealing off my last chance at survival.
I didn't know how long I struggled. Just as my consciousness began to fade, a pair of pale hands finally pulled me out of the water.
When I opened my eyes, I saw a face that was both familiar, and strangely distant.
"Ivan—how did you end up in such a sorry state?"
Leila took off her coat and draped it over my shoulders. Her movements were elegant, but her expression and tone were just as sharp and teasing as they had always been back when she loved going against me.
I coughed up a few mouthfuls of water and asked hoarsely, "Why are you here?"
"My dad told me you were canceling your engagement," she replied smugly. "So I came back especially to see whether you got dumped—so I could laugh at you, of course."
She raised an eyebrow and was about to stand when I suddenly grabbed the hem of her clothes.
"Since you've already seen everything," I said quietly, "do you want to register a marriage with me?"
Leila froze, staring at me in stunned silence for a long moment.