The Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 34

Chapter 34 Drowning On Purpose

#Finished

He was worried something might happen to Raylee. While he genuinely hoped she was okay, he couldn’t ignore the jealousy gnawing at him. He never imagined things would escalate to this point. If Samuel hadn’t stopped him, he would have jumped in to save her much earlier.

“Cough, cough…”

After about five minutes of artificial respiration. Raylee suddenly gasped, coughing violently. Her eyelids felt as heavy as lead. It took an immense effort to pry them open, but everything around her remained a blurry haze.

Her heart pounded relentlessly, a sharp, burning pain radiating from her lungs, as if someone had poured boiling water into her chest. Slowly, her vision cleared.

A wave of cold washed over her. She shivered, wrapping her arms tightly around herself. As she took in the sight of the people looming over her, their expressions unreadable, fear flickered in her eyes. Without thinking, she cried out, “Help me!”

“It’s okay now, Ray–Ray. Don’t be afraid,” Jeremiah reassured her. He grabbed his blazer from the ground and draped it over her shoulders before pulling her into a firm embrace.

The warmth of his body helped steady her heartbeat. The terror gripping her slowly began to fade.

Memories started trickling back. Her gaze landed on Samuel, who stood frozen, looking lost and overwhelmed. Instantly, a surge of rage flared in her chest.

She had once known how to swim. But four years in prison had stripped her of that skill. In the District Nine Prison. surrounded by endless ocean, she had been bound hand and foot and thrown into the sea, over and over again, forced to endure the torment of drowning.

The agony was unbearable, a cycle of suffering that made her wish for death. Every memory of it felt like a blade slicing through her flesh.

Because of that, even the sight of deep water now sent–ice–cold fear coursing through her veins. That night, the moment she saw the swimming pool, she wanted nothing more than to get as far away as possible.

Never in her wildest dreams did she expect Samuel to push her in and then stop anyone from saving her!

“Samuel!” Raylee roared with all the strength she could muster.

Samuel tensed, his guilt written all over his face, but he lacked the courage to step forward.

“Raylee, don’t be mad at Samuel!” Waverly’s eyes were red as she rushed to defend him. “He really thought you could swim, that’s why he didn’t jump in!”

“You do know how to swim! I saw your high school swimming medals at home. I don’t understand why you pretended not to…” She hesitated before adding, “No matter what, I’m siding with Samuel. He didn’t do anything wrong!

Samuel felt a rush of gratitude toward Waverly for standing up for him at such a critical moment. “Waverly, don’t worry. I’ll handle this,” he assured her gently before taking several slow steps toward Raylee.

Facing her directly, his expression held little remorse–mostly confusion. I thought you were faking it, so I ignored you.” His brows furrowed. “I still don’t get it. You obviously knew how to swim–why did you suddenly forget?”

“How else was she supposed to get Mr. Lorimer’s sympathy?” Shanice sneered. “Mr. Lorimer, don’t let her fool you. She’s pretending to drown just to make you rush to her rescue! This woman is a master manipulator. Don’t let her play you.”

“Why don’t you try drowning yourself on purpose?” Jeremiah’s voice was ice–cold, barely masking the fury simmering beneath. His gaze was sharp enough to slice through bone.

Shanice shuddered under his glare, visibly rattled.

Sensing the rising tension, Casimir quickly stepped in. “Mr. Lorimer, please don’t be upset. My sister speaks without thinking I hope you can forgive her.”

Chapter 34 Drowning On Purpose

“Forgive her?” Jeremial scoffed. “That’s God’s job. Mine is to send her to meet Him,”

Finished