Chapter 407

Nicola hid behind a palm tree outside the residential complex. She seemed to be quietly watching for someone. Willow stood frozen, staring at Nicola in the distance. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. At first glance, she thought she was dreaming. Night after night, after Nicola's drowning, Willow would dream of her return. But reality showed that those were nothing more than sweet dreams she'd had. She feared that now, too, she was dreaming. Willow pinched herself hard—it hurt. It was confirmation that she wasn't. She brushed away the tears with a determined swipe, and a radiant smile lit her face. Nicola was alive! She refused to believe that Nicola, a person so full of life, would suffer a horrific death at the jaws of the sharks. "Nicola..." Willow whispered, her voice barely audible, as if afraid she might startle something. At the sound of Willow's voice, Nicola instinctively covered her face and turned to run away. Willow, having finally seen her, couldn't j