The moment I was hung up, I spotted several sharks circling in the deep blue below.

Desperate to survive, I apologized profusely to David, but he was hell-bent on revenge for Daisy,

"Regretting it now? Too late! You need to suffer more than Daisy before I even consider forgiving you!"

I struggled fiercely, biting the rope until my mouth was bloody, nearly freeing myself.

But David said nonchalantly, "If that rope breaks, we'll just switch to chains. I'm curious to see how tough you really are."

He commanded the first mate to steer us into rougher seas, utterly indifferent to my sun-scorched condition.

As the storm hit and sharks breached again, I closed my eyes forever.

The yacht rocked, and watching Daisy sleeping soundly beside him, David murmured, "Enough. Let's lower her once we're in the danger zone. Make her kneel, apologize to Daisy, and then she can take the helm. If her attitude stinks, string her back up."

The crew responded in subdued tones.

Another sway of the ship caused Daisy to frown slightly, and David was quick to smooth her brow, saying,

"My sweet, even near death, you sleep so peacefully. Are you too naive or just too kind? Good thing I'm here, or who knows what would happen to you."

He watched her with sheer adoration, oblivious to the smug smile playing on her lips.

The renowned business mogul is just a puppet in a woman's hands.

Floating above, I watched coldly as my nominal husband made sure Daisy was comfy, ignoring his own discomfort.

They really seemed like a pair made for each other, thinking their love was unbreakable. Outsiders might even think I was the home wrecker.

But I was the real victim here!

Years ago, Daisy had left to chase her dreams abroad, leaving David to find solace in one drunken night with me.

I was unaware of their past and had no intention of clinging to him; I suggested we forget it ever happened.

But David insisted on marriage, even threatening my parents' business to get his way.

Cornered, I married him, which he misinterpreted as playing hard to get.

He lavished me with love, making me feel like the center of his universe as if he'd plucked the stars from the sky for me.

That ended abruptly when Daisy came back.

Seeing how similar I looked to Daisy, I finally understood why he married me.

Still, I loved him and stubbornly wanted to hear him say he didn't love me anymore.

Yet, David kept professing his love while simultaneously hurting me.

This trip was ill-advised from the start—I had warned against sailing in such bad weather. But at Daisy's whimsical desire to see the polar nights of the Southern Sea, David organized it without a second thought.

To ensure his safety, I had no choice but to accompany them.

And that's where my nightmare began.

Once aboard, Daisy provoked me when no one was looking, even calling me the mistress to my face.

In David's presence, though, she played the fragile damsel perfectly.

I thought David wouldn't believe her act, but when she fell overboard, I was hit with a harsh reality.

He jumped into the sea to save her without a second thought, forgetting he couldn't swim.

After her rescue, Daisy's unfounded accusations led David to have me restrained on the spot,

"I thought you were just jealous, but this is downright malicious. That was a life at risk!"

David ignored my captain's rank, stubbornly binding me and letting the novice first mate navigate, a reckless move!

I told him we were in unknown waters and the first mate wasn't experienced enough to ensure safe passage.

David scoffed, "Think you're indispensable? The world won't stop spinning without you. The first mate studied marine sciences abroad and knows these waters well. You think you, a mere ex-Special Forces, can outdo him?"

The crew obeyed, and I was bound tightly. "David! There's a storm coming tonight, I could die! Plus, I'm carrying your child, you can't do this!"

Daisy, feigning horror, covered her eyes, seemingly unable to watch.

David pulled her close, shielding her, "Don't worry, she's just making excuses to escape punishment. Storms, lightning, even if the world ended, she wouldn't die."

"Besides, I haven't been near her for months. Who's to say whose kid she's carrying?"

Ignoring my pleas, he had me hoisted up again.

As I watched them from the afterlife, recalling the agony of my final moments, I stared icily at the couple.

Daisy woke up slowly, their eyes locking in a moment full of charged intimacy.

David couldn't resist, pulling her closer and kissing her deeply.

Daisy weakly pushed him, panting softly, "Stop, David, you have a wife... we shouldn't do this..."

David, breathing heavily, countered, "Why not? If she's carrying someone else's child, there's nothing wrong with us having a moment, is there?"

Daisy murmured no, her protests weak and half-hearted.

I watched with a bitter chuckle. Pretending to resist?

Then what was her hand doing at his belt?

The hypocrisy was breathtaking.

Their passionate embrace was interrupted by a loud knock.

Bang, bang, bang—

David stopped abruptly, annoyed, and bellowed, "What is it now?!"

A trembling crew member from the other side responded, "Sir... the lady... she's dead!"

David's lust vanished, replaced by confusion, "Dead? How is that possible?"

The crew member's voice shook, "She's gone, sir... the storm... she's frozen..."

David stiffened, a look of shock crossing his face before it twisted into something more ruthless.

"Olivia dead? Impossible. She's ex-Special Forces, for crying out loud. She's either playing possum or she's just passed out. Douse her with cold water or jab her with adrenaline. That'll do the trick. Once she comes to, have her crawl here and apologize!"

The crewman at the door stuttered, visibly shaken, "But... sir..."

"But what? Just do it! Unless you fancy hanging there in her place?"

Scared witless, the crewman nodded quickly and hurried off.

Daisy frowned, her voice laced with feigned concern, "David, if something really has happened to Olivia, I'd feel awful. Maybe we should just let this go."

David scoffed, "Olivia's a temptress. She's got even the new guys wrapped around her finger pleading for her. Don't bother worrying; who knows how many guys she's charmed behind our backs?"

Daisy laughed lightly, "True, Olivia's always been a charmer. Wouldn't surprise me if the first mate or some of the others have already let her go."

David grimaced, "Charmer? She's nothing but a wanton harlot!"

Even as a ghost, rage made me shiver.

Moments before, I'd foolishly hoped David might be devastated by my death, perhaps even weep.

But his cold response was a harsh wake-up call.

How ridiculous I had been, expecting anything from such a man.

The man I had loved was nothing but a callous brute.

A tide of hatred swelled within me, the physical agony of my death resurfacing.

Outside, a storm raged, lightning slicing through the thunderous sky.

Daisy clutched David, her voice trembling, "Oh my gosh, is a storm brewing?"

David held her close, annoyance clear on his face, "They said no severe weather was expected! Why the sudden thunder?"

A crew member from an adjacent cabin responded, "Sea weather's unpredictable, sir. Visibility is low; it could be risky. We need the captain at the helm."

He was referring to me, yet here I was, deceased.

Daisy suddenly seemed genuinely frightened, "Quick, let Olivia steer, David. You hate water, and I don't want you in danger."

Moved yet stern, David ordered the crew, "Get her to the helm now!"

The crew hesitated, their unease evident. David's impatience flared, "Am I not in charge anymore? Or is she defying me deliberately?"

Without waiting for a response, David marched forward, striding directly to the deck.

As he flung open the door, he recoiled, covering his nose.

"What's this stench? Smells like blood. Did someone butcher something here? I told you before, no killing on board! How big was this fish?"

The crew stood frozen, their hands shaking as they administered adrenaline to my lifeless form.

Annoyed, David kicked one of them, "Cat got your tongue?"

His mouth fell open in disbelief, and he stumbled back until his back hit the wall, stammering,

"What in the world is this?"