My Fiancé Bet My Life for His First Love

I pushed open the deck door and threw the deck of Red and Black cards at Ethan’s feet. “Explain.” Saltwater was still dripping from my hair. Every breath I took burned my throat like fire. The laughter around the table died instantly. Ethan stood up, grabbing my arm to pull me toward the table. “The lifeguards were right there. You weren't going to drown,” he said, stuffing the red card back into the box. “Don’t turn a harmless game into a pre-wedding scandal.” He reached out to touch my forehead. I flinched away, leaving his hand hanging in the air. I stared at his hand. I suddenly remembered years ago, when I was standing at the edge of a pool, terrified. He had held out his hand just like this and said, *“Evelyn, take my hand. I've got you.”* Because I remembered those words, I hadn't doubted him when the first red card landed in my palm. I bent down, picked up the last red card, and pressed it against Ethan’s chest. “Then tell me, why did the lifeguards wait until I completely submerged every single time before pulling me out?” The onlookers quickly looked away, avoiding my eyes. Summer Ward was sitting in Ethan’s seat. She wore his designer jacket over her shoulders, casually twirling a pristine black card between her fingers. Ethan noticed my gaze and stepped forward, blocking my view of her. “I told them to delay it for a few seconds,” he said, looking at me. “You’ve been terrified of water for years. I thought this would finally cure your phobia. This was my call. Don't blame Summer for it.” My fingers instinctively touched my bare left wrist. Before I went into the water, Ethan had personally taken off my customized wedding bracelet. He said the saltwater would ruin the clasp. He promised he would put it back on me the moment I came up. Right now, that very bracelet was resting on Summer’s wrist. I reached out to grab it, but Ethan intercepted me, clamping his hand over my wrist. “Summer is easily chilled, and her wrist has been aching,” he said smoothly. “She’s just wearing it temporarily to keep it warm.” “That is my wedding bracelet.” “I know,” his tone was flat, completely dismissive. “Once we’re back on land, I’ll have a new one custom-made for you.” Summer leaned back against the yacht’s railing, shaking her wrist so the initial charms clinked together. “Evelyn, Ethan said that if something is truly important, he’ll always replace it with something better for me.” The two letter charms clinked. One was my initial, 'E', and the other was Ethan’s, 'E'. I had drawn the design myself. It was one of a kind. I lunged forward to yank the bracelet back. Summer didn't flinch. Instead, she let my momentum pull her, taking a deliberate step backward. The next second, a sharp scream pierced the air. She went over the railing, tumbling straight into the dark sea. Ethan’s face went pale. Without even taking off his wet shirt, he dove straight into the water after her. Liam rushed in front of me, raising his hand as if to strike me. “Did you just push her?!” I grabbed his wrist, forcing the red card into his palm. “Didn't you guys say that as long as there are lifeguards, nothing can go wrong?” I looked at Summer struggling in the water and slowly let go of Liam's wrist. “Then let her experience it too.”

When Ethan carried Summer back onto the deck, she was wrapped in my customized bridal shawl. “Evelyn Miller, pushing someone who can't swim into the ocean? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” I leaned heavily against the table, coughing up saltwater that dripped onto my bare feet. “I can’t swim either.” “The lifeguards were prepared before you went in!” “She had them too,” I said, glaring at the girl shivering in his arms. “In fact, she had two of them.” Ethan set Summer down on a lounge chair, gently wrapping the shawl tighter around her. Then he stood up, shielding her from me. “She was completely unprepared. It’s not the same.” I pointed to the ice bucket on the table. Now that the red cards had been soaked in water, the tiny scratches carved into their backs had bubbled up, completely visible. “Was I prepared?” A man in a grey designer shirt laughed. “Come on, Evelyn. You’re standing here arguing, which proves Ethan's plan worked. Summer just wanted to see if the game would help you. Why do you have to be so vindictive?” I picked up the ice bucket and dumped the freezing water and rigged cards right over his expensive shoes. “You jump five times in my place, and then I’ll apologize.” He took a step back, his face darkening. “If you can't handle a joke, don't play. Don't take your insecurities out on everyone else.” Ethan raised a hand, and the man shut up instantly. Ethan pushed a glass of warm water toward me. “Drink this. Don't catch a cold.” I didn't touch it. He stared at my pale, ghost-like face for a few seconds. “Apologize to Summer. Let’s end this tonight.” Summer leaned her head against Ethan’s shoulder, coughing softly. The bracelet slid out from under the shawl, its initial charms catching on the silver threads of my bridal wrap. I grabbed the other end of the shawl. “Give it back.” Ethan looked up. “She just fell into the water, and her wrist was scraped by the railing. Let her wear it for now. I’ll buy you a new one tomorrow.” I stared at him. “It’s three days before our wedding, and you’re using my things to comfort her, telling me you’ll buy me a replacement?” One of the guys at the table, clearly drunk, chuckled. “Ethan’s already spent several nights at Summer’s place. Evelyn, throwing a fit over a shawl now makes you look a bit slow, don't you think?” Liam kicked the man's chair hard. “Shut up if you’re drunk.” I tapped my phone screen, pulling up the Snapchat location history from his trip to the neighboring city last month. “You told me you went to taste-test the wedding wine. Were you with her?” Summer clutched the hem of Ethan’s shirt, tears welling in her eyes. “I had a high fever that night, Evelyn. Ethan was just taking care of me. The hotel only had one room left. He couldn't just leave me alone.” “How many nights?” I asked. Ethan didn't answer. But the guy in the grey shirt laughed again, clearly lacking a filter. “Just three nights. Besides, Ethan came back to you in the end, didn't he?” “Shut up,” Ethan snapped. The entire deck fell dead silent. I looked at him. “So it’s true.” The night before he left, the wedding vows I had sent him were left on read. When he finally replied ten hours later, he only sent two words: *“Whatever works.”* And during those days, he was staying in a single hotel room with Summer for three nights. Ethan was quiet for a moment before stepping closer to me. “Nothing happened between us,” he said, raising his hand to wipe a drop of water from my chin. “Evelyn, I promised to marry you, and I won't go back on my word. The position of Mrs. Vance has never belonged to anyone else.” Summer gently tugged his sleeve. Ethan’s hand instantly retreated from my face. I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth and spoke clearly, word by word: “Ethan, what makes you so confident that I would still want a man who shares a bed with another woman?” Ethan’s eyes darkened with anger. Liam’s face grew cold first. “Evelyn, the alliance between the Vance and Miller families is not a joke. You can be angry, but you cannot use our wedding to throw a tantrum.” Summer lowered her eyes, took off the bracelet, and placed it back into Ethan’s palm. “I shouldn't have worn it. Don't let Evelyn misinterpret things because of me.” Ethan looked at the bracelet in his hand, his thumb brushing over the charms. Then, he slid it into his pocket. “I’ll return it to her when she calms down.” The captain walked over. “We’ve entered the return route. According to the schedule, we’ll dock in twenty minutes.” Ethan’s voice was cold. “If she doesn't apologize, keep the boat out here.” I looked at the "Whatever works" text on my screen and finally understood. He hadn't missed my wedding vows. He was just absolutely certain that no matter how many times he abandoned me, I would always be right there, waiting for him.

As the yacht approached an abandoned pier near the island, I walked into the control cabin and grabbed the radio. “Turn back. I want to contact my parents.” Ethan caught up to me from behind, grabbing my shoulder. “Evelyn, that’s enough.” He reached over me, pulled the ignition key from the console, and clenched it in his fist. “The invitations are out, the venue is booked, the guests are confirmed, and the registry is set. The wedding is in two days,” he said, looking down at me. “This isn't something you can just cancel with a temper tantrum.” Summer walked out of the cabin, holding a marine flare gun. She placed the gun on the table, her finger tapping the grip. “Since Evelyn doesn't trust any of us, why don't we play another game?” Ethan frowned. “This isn't a deck of cards, Summer. Don't mess around with that.” “What are you scared of? They’re just blanks.” Summer turned her gaze to me. “If Evelyn wins, we dock the boat. If she loses, she apologizes to me, and we put tonight behind us.” I stared at her for a few seconds, then let out a cold laugh. “Sure. But I’m only playing against you.” Ethan checked the safety and the barrel, giving Summer a warning look. “Keep it civil. Don't take it too far.” Summer took the gun, turning her back to us under the pretense of adjusting her sleeves. Her body blocked everyone’s line of sight. When she turned back, she smiled at Ethan. “You checked it yourself, so it should be fine, right?” Summer pulled the trigger first. A loud click. Blank. I pulled it second. Another click. She took the gun back and pulled it a third time. Click. Summer smiled, sliding the gun back to me. “The last chamber is yours, Evelyn.” I didn't take the gun from her hand. Instead, I grabbed the grip myself and pointed the barrel toward the empty ocean. “Since they’re all blanks, let’s keep going.” The moment my finger squeezed the trigger, Summer suddenly grabbed Ethan’s arm, using the leverage to swing herself forward. At the exact same time, she threw herself directly into Ethan’s chest. *BANG!* A deafening roar shattered the night. The flare shot past her cheek. The intense, burning heat sliced her skin, and the light fixture behind us shattered into pieces. Seeing the blood on her face, Liam lost his mind and lunged at me. *SLAP!* The force of his slap made my ears ring, and my cheek instantly went numb. I turned my face back, tasting copper in my mouth. “I didn't load that gun.” Liam snarled, “But you’re the one who pulled the trigger!” “Check the security cameras.” Liam ripped the memory card out of the console and slid it into his pocket. “I will have it checked.” I reached out to grab it, but he stepped back. “I’m keeping the evidence until you calm down.” Summer clutched her bleeding cheek, leaning heavily against Liam’s chest. “Ethan, don't blame Evelyn. She was just jealous. She lost her mind because she loves you too much.” Ethan stared at me. “Apologize.” I grabbed a tissue from the table, slowly wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, and tossed it into the trash. “What is she to deserve an apology from me?” Ethan closed his eyes. When he opened them, he pointed toward the dark pier outside. “Leave her on the island. We’ll bring her back when she’s ready to apologize.” The boarding ramp slowly retracted behind me. The captain tried to intervene. “Mr. Vance, the storm is hitting in thirty minutes! We can’t leave anyone on this island!” Ethan stood at the stern, watching me through the widening gap of dark water. “She’ll apologize.” The yacht faded into the darkness. I reached for the emergency locator beacon on my life vest and flipped the switch. The light didn't turn on.

The yacht hovered a few hundred yards away, refusing to leave completely. Ethan’s voice boomed over the megaphone. “Evelyn! Just apologize, and I’ll bring you back right now!” The wind howled, sending massive waves crashing over the concrete pier. I looked down, frantically pressing the button on my locator beacon. Once. Twice. Nothing. I pried open the battery compartment. It was completely empty. The edges of the plastic cover had fresh pry marks on them. “Someone took the batteries,” I whispered. I looked up toward the yacht and yelled into the wind, “Drop the emergency dinghy!” Liam’s voice came through the megaphone, dripping with impatience. “Is a simple 'I’m sorry' that hard, Evelyn? Ethan is already giving you a way out!” The captain’s panicked voice drifted over the water. “Mr. Vance, we have to get her back now! The tide is going to submerge the old pier tonight, and the guardhouse on the island is completely abandoned!” Ethan’s expression changed. He reached for the megaphone. But right then, Summer gasped, clutching her throat, and stumbled into his arms. “Ethan... I can't breathe...” Severe red hives broke out across her neck, and her breathing turned into a ragged wheeze. Ethan panicked. “Get the epi-pen and the first aid kit!” The deck fell into utter chaos as Ethan carried her into the cabin without looking back. A few minutes later, he reappeared at the stern. Summer’s breathing was growing weaker in his arms. “Evelyn, Summer is having a severe allergic reaction! We have to get her to a hospital immediately!” I stood in the freezing seawater, which had already risen past my shoes. “Leave the emergency dinghy for me first!” Ethan gripped the megaphone. “We need to keep the dinghy attached in case we need to transfer her to an ambulance on the way!” “Then give me a satellite phone!” Liam’s voice cut in coldly. “There’s only one on board, and Summer might need it to contact the paramedics!” The storm slammed into the rocks, making the yacht sway violently. I stared at Ethan. “So, you’re really going to leave me here alone in a storm?” Ethan’s knuckles turned white around the megaphone. “Captain, bring us closer to the pier! We’ll grab her first!” But the moment the yacht turned, Summer let out a painful cry, curling her body into a tight ball. “Ethan... save me... please...” Ethan froze. For one agonizing second, he looked at Summer, then looked back at me. Finally, he turned his back to me and shouted to the captain: “Head to the harbor. Now!” The blood in my veins turned to ice. Ethan’s tense voice echoed over the roaring wind. “Evelyn! Get to high ground!” “Two hours!” “Two hours max, I swear I’ll send a rescue boat back for you!” I screamed back, “What if I can't wait that long?” “Stop throwing a tantrum!” His voice sounded strained. “Just head up the hill! Don't stay on the pier, and don't wander off! Find shelter and leave a marker, do you hear me?!” Summer sobbed in his arms. “Ethan, am I going to die?” Ethan immediately looked down to soothe her. “No. I’m here. You’re going to be fine.” The yacht swung around, accelerating into the storm. The lights of the boat grew smaller and smaller. I stood there, frozen, as the icy ocean water climbed past my ankles. It was always like this. On the day we were supposed to get our marriage license, he told me to wait. On the day of my bridal fitting, he told me to wait. He said Summer was sick, that she had no one else but him. Because I was always the mature one. The one who would never cause trouble. Twenty minutes later, the lights on the pier went completely black. I ran through the pouring rain toward the old guardhouse, but the door was wrapped in heavy, rusted chains. Waves were already cresting over the steps. I had no choice but to climb the rocky path up the hill. Sharp branches and broken wood sliced my knees. I fell face-first into the mud, but I forced myself to crawl back up, using the wet stone wall for support. The door of the old weather station was warped and rusted. I threw my shoulder against it three times before it finally gave way. The moment I barricaded the door with a metal pipe, a section of the wooden roof collapsed with a loud crash. In the corner, I spotted an old emergency landline phone. The screen flickered to life. With trembling fingers, I dialed the one number I knew by heart. It rang once and connected. “Evelyn?!” Ethan’s voice was frantic, trembling. “Where are you? I can't get through to the island's emergency rescue team! The storm is too bad, but our boat is heading back!” Outside, the waves thundered against the cliffs. I threw my weight against the shaking door. “The roof collapsed. The water is coming in.” “Get out of there! Run to higher ground!” “There is no higher ground!” I looked down at the water swirling around my calves. “Ethan, I think I’m actually going to die here.” He screamed into the receiver, “Tell me exactly where you are! I’m coming back myself, Evelyn! Don't you dare hang up!” But before I could speak, Summer’s frantic cries pierced the line. “Ethan! My chest hurts so bad... I can't breathe!” Ethan’s voice instantly muffled as he pulled away. “Where is the doctor?! Get her the oxygen mask!” “Ethan,” I called out, my voice barely a whisper. “Are you actually coming back for me?” There was a two-second silence over the line. “Evelyn, just give me a little more time. Summer really needs me right now.” I let out a soft laugh. My tears mixed with the rising saltwater. “But I don’t have any more time left.” The stone wall behind me suddenly cracked. A torrent of freezing seawater rushed in, the sheer force of it slamming me to the floor. The phone slipped from my wet palm, splashing into the rising water. Ethan’s panicked, distorted voice echoed faintly from the submerged speaker. “Evelyn!” “Evelyn, answer me!” I crawled desperately toward the glowing screen. Just as my fingers brushed the glass, the signal bars dropped to zero. Call disconnected. The next second, the entire wall collapsed. Cold, heavy seawater rushed over my head, dragging me down into the pitch-black drainage channel. Before darkness claimed my vision, I saw a memory from years ago. Ethan was standing poolside, holding his hand out to me. *“Evelyn, don't be scared. I’ll pull you up.”* But this time, he had reached out for someone else. And I was done waiting.

When the current dragged me into the drainage pipe, I thought I was dead. My back slammed repeatedly against the rough concrete. A piece of debris sliced open my right leg. I clawed at the wet, slippery walls, but there was nothing to hold onto. It wasn't until my body slammed violently against a metal maintenance ladder that I jolted back to consciousness. I wrapped my arms around the metal rung, forcing my face above the swirling water to gasp for air. The weather station had completely collapsed, blocking the entrance with rubble. The tide was still rising, pushing me deeper into the dark tunnel with every wave. “Ethan...” I whispered his name out of sheer habit, but only the roar of the water answered. He had told me to wait two hours. He had no idea that there weren't two hours left. I grabbed the heavy metal buckle of my life vest and began slamming it against the rusted lock of the maintenance hatch. My wrist throbbed, my palm split open, but the rusted lock wouldn't budge. As the water reached my chin, I remembered drawing the first red card. Ethan had held my shoulder, promising me he would never put me in danger. I had believed him. So I jumped. The second time, the third time, the fifth time... I kept waiting for him to tell them to stop the game. Even now, I was still waiting. That realization chilled me deeper than the freezing ocean. I jammed the metal buckle into the gap of the hatch, pressed my foot against the concrete wall, and threw all my weight onto it. With a loud crack, the lock snapped. The heavy metal door swung open, and the rush of water flushed me out into a narrow rocky cave. My shoulder scraped against the jagged rocks, and before I could even take a breath, I was swept into the open air. Suddenly, a bright beam of light sliced through the darkness. The light flashed across the cave entrance twice, and then a heavy rescue rope splashed into the water right in front of me. “Grab it!” A man’s voice roared over the wind. I reached out. For the first time in my life, I didn't wait for someone to pull me. I wrapped the rope securely around my wrist myself. The rope snapped taut. By the time I was hauled onto the deck of the rescue boat, I couldn't feel my right leg. I collapsed onto the wet wood, shivering violently. Someone knelt beside me, quickly cutting away my wet life vest. “Evelyn, stay with me. Look at me.” I forced my eyes open. Julian Sterling’s face appeared under the swinging searchlight. He was the deputy commander of the local Coast Guard, and the oldest son of the family that lived next door to mine growing up. “Can you hear me?” I grabbed his sleeve, my throat burning with the taste of blood. “Don't... don't tell Ethan.” Julian didn't ask why. He wrapped me in a thermal emergency blanket and turned to his crew. “Disable our public transponder. Report that we found one female casualty, but keep the identity confidential. Call the hospital and have blood plasma ready.” As the patrol boat sped away from the island, several searchlights cut through the distant fog. A voice roared over a megaphone, calling my name over and over. The wind tore the sound apart, but I still recognized it. It was Ethan. He had finally come back. But as Julian held my wrist, checking my pulse, I didn't tell him to stop the boat. I closed my eyes, letting the distant lights fade into the storm behind us. When I finally woke up, my mother was sitting by my hospital bed. Seeing my eyes open, she reached out to hug me but stopped, terrified of touching my injuries. She could only clutch the edge of the mattress, crying silently. My father stood by the window, holding a copy of the official rescue log. “The search and rescue teams haven't officially found you yet,” he said softly. “Ethan has been tearing that island apart for eleven hours.” I looked at my bandaged wrists. “Don't tell him yet.” My mother’s eyes widened. “Evelyn?” “I want to see how they explain this if they think I’m dead.” My father was silent for a moment before handing me his phone. On the local news, Ethan was standing outside the ruins of the collapsed weather station. He was still wearing the same white shirt from last night, his sleeves stained with dried blood. His face was completely pale, but his eyes were terrifyingly cold. A reporter asked him if they were going to call off the search due to the weather. He only said one sentence. “We don't stop until we find her. If she’s not off this island, nobody leaves.” I locked the screen. If this had happened in the past, I might have flattered myself into thinking he actually cared. Now, it just felt pathetic. Because when I actually needed him to stay, he had already made his choice. This time, I was going to let him experience what it felt like to wait for someone who was never coming back.