The part One they gave me......
Michael Pov:
The day before my wedding, Sarah, my fiance, decided to test my love. She invited both our families onto a cruise. Out on the choppy water, she pushed my mom overboard. Then, she jumped in herself. I was torn, panicked.
My mom, already swallowing water, weakly pushed me away. Save Sarah first. She's your fiancee. I dragged Sarah back onto the deck. When I turned to look for my mom, she was gone.
Sarah watched me cry, a cold look in her eyes. Stop pretending, your mom was a competitive swimmer, she can't drown. You didn't save me first, Alex was right, you don't love me enough. We're postponing the wedding. When you've thought about this and apologized, along with your mom, we'll talk.
She left, arm in arm with her childhood friend, Alex. She didn't know that years ago, an illness had left my mom unable to swim. This push had killed her. When they pulled my mom's body from the water, she was cold and lifeless. I held her, shaking, trying to wake her, but she didn't move.
Sara walked over impatiently and nudged my mom's hand with her foot. Stop the act. Everyone knows your mom's a pro swimmer. A few waves can't kill her. Even if you try to guilt me, I won't let this go easily.
I can't stand liars. The man I marry has to love me completely, put me first. You've disappointed me. My mom didn't react to the kick. A flicker of uncertainty crossed Sara's face.
She started to bend down, but Alex stepped in front of her. He looked at my mom's pale face and scoffed. She looks fine to me, not like she's dying at all. He patted Sarah's shoulder, acting like he knew everything. I've heard these swimmers can hold their breath for ages, like two or three minutes, easy.
I bet they're both in on it, trying to intimidate you. So you'll be under their thumb after the wedding. Sarah hesitated, her hands clenched. She slowly turned to me. Michael, is this true?
She cut me off before I could answer. Don't bother explaining, I can't trust anything you say right now. As punishment, we're postponing the wedding for six months. When you learn how to love me properly, I'll reconsider. She turned and left with Alex, not looking back.
Then, I felt my mom's finger twitch in my arms. I felt a surge of hope, like grabbing a lifeline. I scrambled after Sarah. Mom's alive. We can still save her.
There's no hospital here on the island. Please, call your private doctor. Just let them take a look. She didn't react, so I pleaded again. Remember how good she was to you?
She treated you like her own daughter. Brought you food during the flu outbreak, even with the lockdown. She wouldn't hurt you. She wouldn't try to control you. Sarah seemed to waver, her steps faltering.
She studied me for a long moment, then finally agreed. Fine. I'll call the doctor. Alex tried to stop her. Sarah, you don't have to.
Sarah cut him off. This is my last chance for you, Michael. If the doctor says your mom's fine, you'll both pay for this. I nodded frantically. A doctor was coming, that was all that mattered.
But as the doctor hurried over, medical bag in hand, my mom coughed, spitting up seawater. My mom opened her eyes, and everyone gasped. I froze, but there was no joy in my heart. I knew this could be a final surge before death. I grabbed the doctor's arm.
She's dying. Please, help her. Sarah cut me off, her face hardening. Enough. Your mom is perfectly fine.
Alex, let's go. She turned and walked away, without a backward glance. I started to follow, but my mom's weak hand tugged at mine. A tear rolled down her cheek. Michael, don't blame Sara.
I'm useless, couldn't even swim a few yards. Explain to her. Don't hurt her. I'll be, fine, I want, to see you, married. Her eyes glazed over, her hand went limp.
No matter how I screamed her name, she didn't wake up. My heart died. I gently closed her eyes. Three years with Sarah, and I couldn't understand how we'd ended up here. Just a year ago, we were so happy.
But ever since Alex came back from overseas, everything changed. She became distant, constantly testing my love. She said I had to pass 99 tests to prove my love before we could marry. Once, she made me go to Alex's house in the middle of the night for a welcome home party. When I walked in, I got a face full of flour.
Alex held the bowl, looking apologetic. Sorry, Michael, don't be mad. Just trying to spice things up. Sara watched me, her eyes searching. Even though I was furious, I shook my head and said it was fine.
Alex winked at Sara. He passed the test. He's got a great temper. No worries about domestic violence. Sarah seemed slightly relieved, but she didn't comfort me, covered in flour.
She just told me to clean up in the kitchen and then cook dinner for everyone with the leftover ingredients. I didn't understand her obsession with these tests, but I loved her, so I never complained. I told myself things would go back to normal once Alex left. I never imagined this. I sat there for a long time before I finally stood up.
After I arranged for my mom's body to be taken care of, I went to find Sarah. They were having a party. I just wanted to leave the island, bury my mom, let her rest. But on the way, people kept pointing their phones at me. They took pictures, whispered to each other.
I ignored them until someone stepped in front of me, shoving a phone in my face. Dude, how much did you get for your mom's life? I'll fake a heart attack in front of the princess too. I grabbed the phone. Alex's friends had posted the video online.
The comments were brutal. Old lady's a swim champion, can't even handle a beach? Right. Probably cheated her way to the top. If I were Sarah, I'd be devastated.
A gold digging mom and a manipulative fiancee, probably faking it all to control the heiress. I pushed past him and found Alex. Alex, why are your friends spreading these lies? I don't care what they say about me, but my mom? Why drag her name through the mud after she's gone?
Alex swung his feet onto the table, nonchalant. Isn't it true? You can dish it out but can't take it? Sara's lucky to even look at you, you broke loser. We, her friends, have to protect her.
Who knows what your angle is? I crushed a glass in my hand, blood seeping through my fingers, but I didn't feel it. Before I could say anything else, Sara spoke. Michael, stop it. Alex is just looking out for me.
We're still getting married, it's just a six month delay. Just apologize, and everything can go back to normal. She had someone bring a first aid kit. She took out some gauze, her face softening. Your hand, come here, let me take care of it.
I looked at her. You think I'm faking this too? Her silence was the answer. I nodded, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. If that's what you think of me, then we're done.
Sara, the wedding is off. I turned to leave, but Alex stopped me. Wait. Since you're going, give back Sara's ring. He pointed to the ring on my finger.
Sara had it custom made for me. Her tests started six months ago, and they never stopped. I'd been through so much, almost given up. But when I tried to break up with her, she threw a tantrum, smashed things, stormed out. The next morning, she came back, red eyed, and apologized.
She pulled out a ring from a jewelry box. This is your wedding ring, early. We'll be married soon. Just pass all the tests, and I'll be yours, okay? I'd softened, given in.
Now, it had cost my mother her life. I ripped the ring off my finger and threw it on the sand. Here. We're even. Sara's face darkened, but I didn't care.
I walked away. She called repeatedly, but I didn't answer. I held my mom's cold body, unable to cry. Back home, I wanted to cremate her, bury her quickly. But no funeral home would take her.
No one would issue a death certificate. I begged, knelt on the floor, but they just said, emotionless. Miss Preston's orders. We can't. The Prestons are having a wedding, no funerals.
Bad luck. I called Sarah. Alex answered, his voice mocking. Still bothering Sarah? Give up.
I'm the one she'll marry. Those tests? I made them up. Wanted you to back off, but you just kept going, even dragged your mom into it. He laughed and hung up.
The number was disconnected when I called back. I smashed my phone against the wall. I built a simple shrine back home, placed my mom in a coffin. After the traditional seven days, I prepared for the burial. That's when Sarah showed up.
Her face was tight with anger. Michael, the coffin, the funeral, enough is enough. You embarrassed the Prestons last week, now this? Don't take my kindness for weakness. She looked hurt, like I was the one betraying her.
I said coldly, Leave my mother in peace. We can talk after the burial. You're not welcome here. I'd never spoken to her like that. She froze.
Then, she gritted her teeth. Enough. How long will you keep up this act? Do you think I'm a child? I repeated myself calmly.
Leave. She laughed, tears in her eyes. Fine. You say this is your mother in the coffin? Someone, get rid of it.
Her bodyguards swarmed forward, lifting the coffin. They wedged it against the window frame, one push away from falling. What are you doing? I struggled, but they held me tight. Sara said, one last test, since you insist on lying.
The coffin? Or me? Choose. I stared at her, disbelieving. Put it back.
That's my mom. If you drop it, I'll never forgive you. Tears streamed down Sara's face. Even a fake coffin is more important than me? Michael, you're heartless.
You failed the final test. Watch me marry Alex. As for this She looked at the coffin and sneered. Throw it out. It's disgusting.
They let go. The coffin plummeted, shattering on the ground below.