Evening was descending. The waves of the sea gently crashed against the shore, as if each wave carried the knock of an unfulfilled promise. The sky was painted in shades of orange and blue, but beneath that colorful sky stood a girl whose world had already turned dark.
Wrapped in a white wedding gown, she was on her knees in the sand. Her veil was half blown away, her hair scattered wildly in the wind. The once-pristine gown was now stained and damp with sand. Tears streamed endlessly down her cheeks, and her mascara had smudged all over her face—dark streaks beneath her eyes, as if some artist had painted her pain on her skin.
She still held a single rose in her fingers—perhaps the last hope she hadn't let go of yet. The ocean breeze slapped her face, but she didn't move—just kept staring at the water, as if she was waiting for an answer.
Her face bore questions:
"Was I truly sold? Or was it just a dream that someone else stole from me?"
Each tear told a story—of betrayal, helplessness, and that breaking moment when she realized this wedding... was nothing but a deal.
No sound escaped her throat, but her eyes were screaming.
The waves came closer, touched the hem of her gown, and receded—
as if the ocean, too, understood her sorrow.
The waves of the sea were still crashing against the shore at the same pace, but now that sound had faded into background noise… because inside the girl — Ruby — a storm had begun to rage. She was still sitting on the sand, soaked gown and smudged makeup — like a broken doll that no one could fix anymore.
In her hand was a phone — trembling in her shaking fingers. She held it tightly, as if it was the last thread connecting her to the world.
Trin Trin... Trin Trin...
The phone screen flickered — "Day Care Centre calling…"
A flicker appeared in Ruby's eyes — a faint line of hope.
With trembling hands, she answered the call.
"H…hello?" — Her voice was shattered, like someone walking barefoot over broken glass.
But what she heard… pierced right through her heart.
"Sorry ma'am… your daughter is no longer with us."
One moment…
And everything stopped.
It was as if an explosion went off inside her ears. The sea around her suddenly fell silent. The winds froze, and the sun seemed to hide away.
The phone slipped from her hand — slowly, but with a sound that felt like her soul had been torn from her body.
"No…"
The word escaped her lips in a whisper — like a broken dream trying to repeat itself.
She collapsed onto the sand — arms outstretched, eyes wide open, and the tears flowed endlessly. No sound came from her mouth, but her face… it said it all.
The sea still flowed…
But now, within its rhythm, was the sound of a mother's silent cry.
Ruby was still lying on the sand, her soaked gown sprawled all around her, her face smeared with tears and smudged kohl, turning it into a dark blue. Her chest rose and fell with hiccupping sobs.
For a moment, she was silent…
Then suddenly, she looked up — toward the sky, now slowly darkening.
And she screamed with all her might —
"What was my fault?"
"I loved him... I loved him with everything I had!"
"He was my whole world... I had dedicated every breath to his name!"
"And what did he give me in return?"
"He sold me… to his friends… like some prize to be claimed!"
Her voice cracked with pain, but she didn't stop.
"I lost my dignity… and my baby — the child I carried in my womb for nine months… taken from me! Just because he chose to believe someone else over me!"
"What's the point of living now?"
"For a man who stripped even my soul bare?"
Ruby was now on her knees. The wind had picked up, as if nature itself was mourning with her.
She looked at the ocean one last time…
Then, barefoot, she slowly started walking towards the waves.
Each step was heavy…
But her face no longer showed fear — only peace… and a silent exhaustion.
The waves began to touch her gown…
First at the knees… then her waist…
There were no more tears in her eyes —
It was as if they had all dried up.
"There's nothing left now… nothing at all…"
One final wave crashed over her —
And in the very next moment…
Ruby was gone… swallowed by the sea.
Far, far away…
The sound of the ocean waves had long faded behind. High above, nestled in the lap of a towering mountain — atop a lonely peak that seemed to kiss the clouds — stood a grand old mansion.
But this was no ordinary structure. The mansion felt like it existed outside the bounds of time — every stone, every pillar whispered an untold history. Intricate carvings adorned the walls, ancient chandeliers still shimmered faintly, and each room held a silence so profound — as if secrets had been buried there for centuries.
Beyond its thick stone walls, the morning sun was in its full glory. The sky was a brilliant blue, golden light kissed the mountaintops, and cool breezes drifted down through the pine trees, slipping quietly through the mansion's tall windows. Birds chirped, adding notes of life to the serene melody of the hills.
And inside one of the mansion's inner chambers…
A young woman lay peacefully on a grand bed. The room was filled with the gentle scent of scented candles, their soft glow casting long shadows across the aged paintings on the walls. Heavy silk curtains filtered the sunlight, which fell tenderly across her face.
The bed sheets were white as snow. A rose lay near her neck — its petals gently trembling, as if dancing in rhythm with her breath.
She appeared to be around twenty-two. A figure as delicate as a dream — as if painted by an artist's most intimate imagination.
Her skin was a soft almond tone, like milk blended with tea. Thick, dark brown waves of hair tumbled over her shoulders — flowing, soft, and silent. A straight nose, tender pink lips, and behind her closed eyelids seemed to sleep a storm — waiting.
Beside her sat a man — calm in posture, but with ice in his eyes.
A chiseled jaw, furrowed brows, and a face that, despite its striking beauty, now flushed red with anger.
"Didn't you say she was stable?"
His voice sliced through the room's stillness like a blade.
"Why hasn't she woken up yet?"
The doctor bowed his head slightly and replied in a measured tone,
"Mr. Foster... Mrs. Jian nearly drowned. Though she was rescued in time, her body is still very weak… she needs rest."
"Enough. Get out!"
His voice wasn't just filled with frustration — there was something else beneath it — a quiet fear of losing her.
Without another word, the doctor and nurse turned away. Their quickened footsteps revealed just how deeply the frost in the man's gaze had shaken them.
Just then…
"Cough… cough…"
A weak, broken cough echoed in the room.
The girl lying on the bed slowly opened her eyes — as if waking from a slumber that had lasted centuries.
Her tired eyes shimmered faintly… and within them lived a story — unfinished, but now ready to be told.
As soon as the girl opened her eyes, a flicker of excitement lit up in Kian Foster's usually icy gaze. He immediately leaned forward and grabbed her trembling hand.
"You're awake? Are you feeling any discomfort anywhere?"
His voice was filled with urgency — as if he were searching for life in each of her breaths.
The girl blinked, looking around. For a moment, everything felt hazy. The ceiling, the flickering candlelight, the sunlight filtering through the curtains — it all felt like a part of some unfamiliar world.
"What..."
She whispered softly, her voice barely audible.
Hadn't she… died?
Sitting in front of her was the same face, the same voice — Kian Foster, her brother. But she stared at him silently, as if trying to remember who he truly was.
Kian, seeing that his sister wasn't responding, began to panic. His eyes filled with worry, and his composure started to unravel.
"Kaira… tell me, are you okay?"
He asked, his voice trembling,
"Are you in any pain? Please tell me. I'll call the doctor right now… immediately!"
"Kaira..."
The moment the girl repeated that name, something snapped.
A searing, unbearable pain shot through her head — like lightning striking her brain.
She suddenly clutched her head with both hands and began shaking it violently, as though some deep, buried memory had just been jolted awake.
Seeing her writhe in agony, all the color drained from Kian's face. His expression turned to stone. He spun around sharply and barked at the servant behind him.
"Call the doctor right now!"
His voice was sharp, commanding.
"Tell him my sister's condition has suddenly worsened — not a second's delay!"
Without another word, the servant bolted from the room.
Kian turned back and tried to hold his sister gently, but she was still writhing in pain — groaning, clutching her head, as though something deep inside her was breaking apart.
The room now echoed with her ragged breaths and Kian's frantic gaze…
And in that silence, one thing became clear — Something within this girl was lost… or perhaps, had never been known.