I clawed at the surface, choking. “Dominic! Please—help me!”
“Dominic!” Helena cried. “She’s drowning—do something!”
But he didn’t move.
He stood there, gripping Helena’s arm, his voice chillingly calm. “No. Let her drown. She brought this on herself.”
Water flooded my lungs. My body convulsed. Through the blur, I saw Helena clutch his sleeve, shaking her head. “Please, Dominic… don’t let her die.”
She looked concerned. Almost tearful.
But when his attention shifted for just a second, I saw it.
The smile.
Small. Cold. Victorious.
She wanted this.
She wanted me gone.
My strength faded completely as the water dragged me under, pulling me into darkness once more.
The fever hit me like a hammer after the pool. My body shook violently beneath the damp clothes clinging to my skin, chills sinking deep into my bones. Each cough tore at my throat as if shards of glass were lodged inside. My skin burned fiercely, yet I shivered uncontrollably.
And then she appeared.
Helena. Poised by my bedside, a basin and towel in hand, pretending the act of care came from a place of tenderness. Her voice dripped with feigned sweetness. “Shh… calm down, Seraphina. Rest now. You’ll be fine,” she cooed.