I had anticipated all sorts of reactions from Jonathan—anger, shock, disappointment, repulsion… But whatever his reaction was, it no longer mattered to me.

The surroundings became eerily quiet, even more so than before. I could even hear the dripping sound of water falling from my body onto the floor and the subtle sound of the people around me deliberately slowing their breathing.

They all seemed stunned. I, who had basically worshipped Jonathan in the past, had just slapped him. And not only that, I'd asked for a divorce.

Jonathan fell silent for a very long time. The vivid red mark on his face was clear for all to see. All of a sudden, he approached me. Afraid that he was going to hit me back, I instinctively took a step back.

In that split second, Jonathan's expression darkened even more than before. He looked even more pissed off than he had when I had slapped him. 

"I told you

I would never forget how Jonathan had rushed toward Alicia when we both fell into the pool.

Even though I had lost the past five years of memories and no longer loved him, my heart still instinctively ached at that moment. It was a dull sort of ache, unbearable, akin to a drowning sensation. 

I thought that that must have been the last struggle put up by the 25-year-old me.

I was truly thankful that I lost my memories. Otherwise, with how deeply I used to love Jonathan, that pain might have actually killed me. 

Jonathan was at a loss for words. He opened his mouth, as if he had wanted to say something, but ended up saying nothing at all.

I couldn't swim, and yet he chose to save Alicia. That was the cold, hard truth. Had it not been for Frederick, I wouldn't be lying here safe and sound now.

It took Jonathan a long while before he finally muttered, "Elise… Had it not been her, I wo

"Elise might do it, even if Jonathan made her grovel and apologize to Alicia, don't you think?"

I remained silent and said not a word.

They were all mocking me, betting that I wouldn't really give Jonathan an attitude.

All the chatter from them grated on my nerves, and I scoffed before walking away without looking back. Only then did the voices behind me finally die down, perhaps in disbelief at my sudden departure.

I wondered how they'd react if they knew that I had intentions of divorcing Jonathan. 

I went out to the pool in the hopes that some fresh air might help clear my mind.

But shortly after, Alicia appeared. "Ms. Sawyer, I must say—I see you in a new light today."

I glanced behind her and saw that she had come out alone, so I replied mockingly, "You know how much I hate you. Aren't you afraid I might just push you into the pool right now?"

Alicia smiled. "I was worried you wouldn't dare to. After all, we all know that Jon will save me first."

I pursed my lips, not bothering to reply. 

Then, she walked up to me and taunted, "Want to make a bet, Elise?"

I found it absurd. "If the two of you are really so in love with each other, why won't you just get Jonathan to divorce me? Do you feel more in love, trampling all over another person's feelings and putting on a tragic show, Alicia?"

Her expression darkened. "That's all because you wouldn't let go of him! You were shameless enough to attempt suicide just to cling to him! What he has for you is nothing but pity!"

Then, she swiftly resumed her calm and gentle demeanor and asked me again, "Want to make a bet, Elise?"

Light reflected off the ripples on the surface of the pool. It looked clear, yet deceptively deep.

I shook my head without hesitation. "No."

I couldn't swim. 

My hasty answer seemed to have caught Alicia off guard. 

Besides, even if I could swim, why would I risk my life just to test whether a man loves me or another woman more? Attempting an act as foolish as suicide once was more than enough. I would never do it a second time. 

Just as I stood up, I caught the malicious glint in Alicia's eyes. She stood behind me, and as I was about to leave, she shoved me hard. I fell into the water with a loud splash.

Shrieks erupted around me as I hit the water. I began sinking fast, and at that moment, I felt nothing but an all-consuming fear of drowning.

Water started getting into my throat, and my lungs began to burn. I struggled with all my might to swim upward, only to see a familiar figure swimming quickly in another direction.

My husband, Jonathan, chose to save Alicia when both of us fell into the pool.

A sharp pain shot through my chest. Perhaps that was the last fragment of my emotions from my 25-year-old self.

Though I'd forgotten about the past and no longer loved him, my body remembered. However, even that last remaining feeling I had for him was completely drowned this time. 

…

When I came to, I was lying at the edge of the pool.

Both Alicia and I had been rescued. However, she was rescued by Jonathan, while I was rescued by a stranger. He was a rather handsome man. 

As I lay on the ground, he was pressing his palms against my chest, trying to force out the water I'd swallowed. With a sputter, I coughed out a mouthful of water. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jonathan approaching.

Alicia sat there hugging her knees to her chest, looking pitiful and delicate, gazing longingly at Jonathan's back.

Jonathan seemed to have just remembered that he had a wife. He asked with a frown, "Are you alright?"

I didn't give him an answer and scrambled to get to my feet.

The man beside me tried to help me up, but I pushed him away. When Jonathan finally stood before me, I raised my hand and slapped him across the face hard.

Silence fell. The place became so quiet that I could hear everyone's breath slow to a hush.

"Let's get a divorce, Jonathan."

After a long pause, I heard my voice cutting through the silence. "Consider that slap your alimony to your ex-wife."

I had anticipated all sorts of reactions from Jonathan—anger, shock, disappointment, repulsion… But whatever his reaction was, it no longer mattered to me.

The surroundings became eerily quiet, even more so than before. I could even hear the dripping sound of water falling from my body onto the floor and the subtle sound of the people around me deliberately slowing their breathing.

They all seemed stunned. I, who had basically worshipped Jonathan in the past, had just slapped him. And not only that, I'd asked for a divorce.

Jonathan fell silent for a very long time. The vivid red mark on his face was clear for all to see. All of a sudden, he approached me. Afraid that he was going to hit me back, I instinctively took a step back.

In that split second, Jonathan's expression darkened even more than before. He looked even more pissed off than he had when I had slapped him. 

"I told you that slap was considered alimony from you! Are you going to hit me back?" I glared at him. "Are you

Chapter 6