My Love Burns for Anyone Worth It novel Chapter 4

**Vows Became Blame by Mark Twain**

**Chapter 4**

Bella’s eyes fluttered open, and she was immediately assaulted by the sharp, briny scent of the ocean. Panic surged through her veins as the realization struck—she and Tessa were submerged in the water, the waves crashing around them like a furious beast.

“Help… Someone help!” she screamed, her voice barely piercing through the chaos of the sea.

Panic clawed at Bella’s chest. She had never learned to swim, and instinctively, she began to thrash about in the water. Each desperate movement only seemed to pull her deeper into the depths, and with every gulp of seawater, her voice grew fainter, her strength waning.

Through the murky haze of her surroundings, she caught sight of two figures plunging into the water with reckless abandon. Her heart raced at the sight of Sebastian and Ronald, their faces set with determination.

A flicker of hope ignited within her, but it was extinguished almost immediately as she recognized their destination. They were heading straight for Tessa. The realization hit her like a stone, and she felt her resolve crumble, sinking beneath the weight of despair.

When she next opened her eyes, she found herself in a sterile hospital bed, the scent of antiseptic mingling with the faint scent of flowers. Sebastian and Ronald hovered nearby, their expressions taut with concern. As soon as they noticed her stirring, their apologies spilled forth in a rush.

“Bella, we’re so sorry! It was dark, and we thought Tessa was you. That’s why we went to her first. Please, don’t be angry with us,” they pleaded, their voices laced with regret.

The lie hung heavy in the air, painfully glaring. Bella and Tessa were as different as night and day—there was no mistaking one for the other. The truth was clear: they had prioritized Tessa because she was the one they truly cared about.

A bitter smile tugged at Bella’s lips as she turned her gaze away from them, refusing to let them see the hurt in her eyes. Just then, a nurse entered the room, breaking the tension that hung like a cloud.

“The patient in the next room is awake as well. Would you like to go see her?” she asked, her voice soothing.

Instantly, Sebastian and Ronald exchanged anxious glances, their restlessness palpable. After a brief moment of hesitation, they glanced back at Bella, who remained resolutely silent, her back turned to them.

“Tess caught a chill too. She’s all alone in there. We’ll check on her and be right back,” they said, their voices hurried as they got up and left without a backward glance.

As the door clicked shut behind them, Bella’s phone buzzed, pulling her attention away from the empty room. It was a message from Tessa.

“Bella, I just wanted to see who liked you more, but I didn’t expect both of them to save me. Sorry, maybe they just felt bad because I’m alone and helpless. Don’t blame them.”

Bella felt a flicker of annoyance at the thinly veiled jab but chose to ignore it. She switched off her phone, shutting out the world beyond her hospital room.

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