Chapter 5 

Gianna clung to Zachary’s shoulder, pouting sweetly, “Zachary, I invited Secretary Brooks here. I heard she used to study dance, so I thought she‘ could perform for everyone.” 

“Gianna, stop it.” Zachary spoke to her, but his gaze was directed at me, irritation evident on his face. I understood immediately–here he was, enjoying his time with his beloved, and I’d 

hown up out of nowhere, disrupting his mood. I looked down and murmured, “Sorry, I 

don’t know how to dance.” 

“Don’t know how?” Gianna’s smile turned mocking, her voice loud. “I heard from Zachary that Secretary Brooks used to work at nightclubs. Isn’t dancing for men your specialty?” 

Her words had barely left her mouth before everyone’s faces twisted in disdain. I didn’t 

want to argue with her, so I turned to leave. Suddenly, Gianna’s expression darkened, and she slapped me hard. “Throwing yourself at men wherever you go–aren’t you shameless?” 

My cheek stung instantly, swelling as blood seeped from the corner of my mouth. Not 

satisfied, she shoved me into the outdoor pool beside us. 

The icy water filled my throat and nose, the chill sinking deep into my bones. My vision darkened, and through the haze, I heard Gianna’s laughter ringing from the poolside. The long–buried nightmares resurfaced. An endless ocean, countless tendrils pulling me downward into the abyss, darkness closing in. Just when I thought I’d sink to the ocean floor, a strong arm yanked me back from the darkness. 

As I was pulled ashore, soaked to the skin, I stared blankly at that familiar face, afraid he’d disappear in the next instant. Tears streaming, I cried out that name. “Zack, I’ve missed you 

so much.” 

Zachary tightened his hold on me, brushing away my tears. His voice, tinged with an unsteady tremor, said, “Don’t cry. I’m here.” 

It felt like I was trapped in a long dream, a dream where I was still 17. Zack Russell had topped the school again in the finals, and I was pestering him for a reward. He smiled and ruffled my hair helplessly. “Why do I have to give you a reward for coming in first?” 

I looked up at him with a bright smile, answering with absolute certainty, “Because I’m your 

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Fake Wedding. True Pain 

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Chapter S 

girlfriend! What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is yours.” 

He gave me a look of amused exasperation. “Just to be clear, that five in math you got isn’t 

mine.” 

I playfully glared at him, raising my fist to pretend I’d hit him, only for him to grab my wrist and press a firm kiss to my lips. 

“Camila, when we get to college, let’s move in together.” His clear voice echoed in my ears as 

chung to him like a koala, nodding obediently. 

But we never made it to college together. At the end of sophomore year, he stayed behind forever in that deep blue ocean, having saved me from drowning. 

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