Chapter 5 Colder Than The Freezing Water

A spark of satisfaction flickered in Karen's eyes before she added sweetly, "You don't mind, right? Brodie told me it was just some ordinary trinket. Nothing special. So it wasn't a big deal when I tossed it."

That good luck charm. Bethany would never forget it.

Back when Brodie had been kidnapped and lay unconscious in the hospital, she spent night after night crafting it by hand. Her fingers had blistered and bled as she carved every detail, pouring her fear, her love, and her hopes for his safety into it.

Now, the token that had carried her devotion, her pain, and five years of her life was being dismissed as trash-broken and tossed aside.

Bethany's tone didn't waver. "Just a cheap charm. You can buy ones like that online for just 1 dollar with free shipping. If you want a handful of useless trinkets, I can send you some."

And she meant it. There wasn't a single ripple in her chest anymore. The moment she learned that the so‑called "check‑up" had been a lie, that the man she had loved so fiercely had stolen her bone marrow for Karen behind her back, something inside her had finally died.

Bethany brushed her thumb over her wedding ring, eyes lowering. It was time to let everything go.

Karen faltered, caught off guard by Bethany's calm indifference.

"You're so 'generous,'" she said through clenched teeth, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "But what Brodie gives me is far more precious than some cheap charm. Some things just can't be bought-like love, or the time we share."

"Love, you say? That's an interesting way to put it. If what you two have is real love, why is he still wearing a ring with my name on it, and not yours?" Bethany arched an eyebrow, her voice tinged with amusement.

"Enough out of you! Brodie will-" Karen's voice shook with fury as she tilted her glass, champagne poised to fly in Bethany's direction.

But suddenly, a movement caught her eye. Someone familiar was approaching, and a sly, vengeful smile twisted her lips as she glanced at the sparkling blue of the pool.

Without warning, Karen closed the distance, grabbing Bethany's wrist in a tight grip. She leaned in, voice a breathless whisper. "Let's see who Brodie chooses to save, shall we?"

In the very next instant, she staggered forward, dragging Bethany down with her. Together, they tumbled into the water, Karen's shrill voice blurting out, "Bethany! What are you-!"

Water exploded upward in a violent spray as both women hit the pool.

The early spring water hit Bethany like a wall of ice and pulled her under before she could brace herself.

She gasped on instinct and swallowed a rush of cold water, then forced her way back to the surface where she found Brodie watching her from the pool's edge with clear worry in his eyes.

For a heartbeat, neither of them looked away.

In that brief pause, Bethany could have sworn he was about to dive in for her.

Before she could be sure, Karen's voice cut through the air. "Brodie! Help me. I can't swim..."

Karen cried out in a shaky, sharp voice that made it sound like she might sink any second.

Brodie froze for a split second, and whatever he had been thinking vanished at once.

He lunged into the pool and rushed straight for Karen. He never once looked back at Bethany, as if she were nothing more than a stranger.

The freezing water clung to Bethany's skin, yet it still felt warmer than the ache spreading through her chest.

While Brodie held Karen close, his hand moved gently across her back as though he were afraid she might break.

Bethany realized she had no one to count on but herself.

She managed to scramble out of the cold pool, every movement awkward and exhausting.

Her soaked dress clung to her like a second skin, making each step heavier than the last.

Water streamed from the expensive fabric, gathering around her feet in a widening pool.

Everyone nearby seemed to stare right through her, their eyes sharp and unkind.

Meanwhile, Brodie lifted Karen and carried her out of the pool without hesitation.

Karen curled up against him, shivering, but there was a hint of triumph in her eyes as she looked straight at Bethany and gave a smirk that needed no words.

"Bethany!" Brodie turned and fixed his gaze on her, his eyes full of accusation as water dripped steadily from her hair.

He didn't try to hide his anger. He shouted, disappointment in every word, "How could you be so cruel? You fell in, and you dragged Karen down with you? Do you even care that she just got better?"

He called her cruel? And he believed she'd dragged Karen under?

Bethany's anger flared up, hotter than the sting of the cold water clinging to her skin, drowning out whatever restraint she had left.

Her gaze locked onto Karen, who still clung to Brodie's chest, weeping softly but throwing her a smug, taunting look that didn't fit the trembling act.

A dry, humorless laugh escaped Bethany.

With Karen gloating, Bethany didn't hesitate. She stormed straight at them.

Before Brodie could block her path, Bethany drew back her leg and drove her foot hard into Karen's side.

"Ouch!" Karen shrieked, the sound slicing through the heavy air. Her victory vanished in an instant, terror replacing the smirk as she tumbled out of Brodie's arms and crashed back into the pool.

The water exploded up, higher and louder than before.

A heavy silence settled over everyone. Not a soul moved, each person frozen in disbelief at what they'd just witnessed.

Brodie seemed rooted to the spot, staring at his now-empty arms in shock.

Bethany stood tall at the pool's edge, her eyes following Karen as she thrashed in the water, fear replacing every trace of her earlier pride.

Slowly, Bethany lifted her gaze and fixed it coldly on Brodie. Her words cut through the hush, quiet yet sharp enough for all to hear. "You've already made up your mind about me. Wouldn't it be a letdown if I didn't act the part you've given me?"