Chapter 7

Selena didn't want to go home and face Edmund, so she stayed in the hospital until the day before the divorce cooling-off period ended. After being discharged, she went to a bridal boutique. She had imagined countless times what it would be like to wear a wedding dress and marry Herman. But in the end, he never got to see her in one. She had a wedding dress custom-made in advance because she planned to wear it when she went to find Herman. When Selena returned home, Edmund was about to go out. Seeing the wedding dress in her hands, he scowled slightly "You don't have to remind me. I remember what I promised you." Selena froze for a moment upon hearing that. Only then did she recall that Edmund had said he would take her to Mount Versuval on their wedding anniversary to propose to her. He probably thought she had brought the wedding dress home with her to remind him. Selena wanted to explain that wasn't her intention. But in the end, she said nothing. She was leaving tomorrow anyway. He could think whatever he wanted. "Alright, you should rest. I'm taking Claire to the seaside for some fresh air." With that, Edmund turned and walked away. Selena carried the wedding dress to her bedroom. Only one more day, and she would finally be free. She would finally be with Herman. With that thought in mind, she reached under her pillow for the ring. However, her fingers grasped nothing but air. She searched the entire room in a panic but still couldn't find it. Frantic, she checked the surveillance footage and saw Claire's figure near the spot where she kept the ring. Just then, a text message came in. Claire wrote, "If you want your ring back, come to this address." Without a second thought, Selena rushed to the beach. When Edmund saw her, he was startled. "Why are you here?" Selena ignored him and grabbed Claire by the wrist. "Where's my ring? Give it back to me!" Claire shot her a taunting look discreetly, but her voice remained innocent. "Ms. Crawford, you're hurting me. I don't have your ring…" Selena's expression became grim as she warned, "This is theft. If you return the ring now, I won't pursue the matter. If you refuse to give it back to me, I'll call the police." Before she could get to the bottom of the matter, Edmund suddenly pushed her away and shielded Claire behind him. He bellowed, "Enough! I have the ring. Selena, I warned you not to find fault with Claire again. She picked up your ring and asked me to return it to you. But instead of being grateful, you tried to frame her for stealing it!" Holding the ring in his hand, he extended it over the railing while demanding, "Apologize to Claire right now!" At this point, Selena realized Claire had set her up once again. But seeing Edmund's hand hovering over the sea, her heart clenched. She no longer cared about explaining anything. "No, Edmund! Please give the ring back to me. I was wrong. I'm sorry. I'll apologize to Claire. I'll do anything. Just please, give it back to me," Selena pleaded in a trembling voice and reddened eyes. For the first time ever, Edmund saw her beg so desperately. An inexplicable sense of discomfort arose in his heart, and his tone softened involuntarily. "Alright. Apologize to Claire, and I'll give it back to you. Just don't do this again—" He was interrupted by Claire, who suddenly leaned into him. Her body went limp as she fell to the ground. Caught off guard, Edmund instinctively let go of the ring to catch her. The ring plunged straight into the sea. Claire leaned against his shoulder weakly. "I felt a little dizzy… I'm sorry that the ring fell, Ms. Crawford. I really didn't mean it." Hearing this, Edmund recalled what had just happened, and a strange sense of unease filled his chest. But he still instinctively comforted Claire first. "It's alright. She won't blame you." Yet, his words were met with the sight of Selena diving into the ocean without hesitation. She couldn't swim. But the moment she saw the ring fall into the water, the only thought in her mind was to retrieve it at all costs. That ring was the one Herman had personally crafted when he proposed to her for the first time. It was the only thing he had left her. She couldn't lose it no matter what! Icy seawater flooded her mouth, squeezing the last bit of oxygen from her lungs. Just as her consciousness faded into darkness, she vaguely saw the person she had been pining for—Herman—desperately swimming toward her.