Chapter 265

Victoria Sinclair's mother clung to her hand, tears streaming down her face. "Darling, are you all right? What are you searching for? Look at me—"

"Ethan..." Victoria's voice was barely a whisper, raw and fragile.

After facing death, she refused to hide her feelings any longer.

She loved Nathaniel Blackwood. There was no moving on from him.

The only person she wanted to see right now—was him.

"Mr. Blackwood?"

The air thickened with tension. Everyone shared the same unspoken thought.

The bride just survived drowning, and the first thing she does is ask for another man... Poor Dominic Harrington.

Dominic's jaw tightened, but he kept his voice gentle. "Ethan risked his life to save you. You should thank him properly."

"He did?" Color returned to Victoria's pale face, her eyes welling with fresh tears. "I knew it—he still cares! Where is he? I need to see him!"

At the edge of the crowd, Nathaniel gripped Vivian Lockhart's wrist, ready to leave.

Vivian didn't budge. "Oh, come on, Mr. Hero. You can't just walk away without taking credit."

He shot her a warning glare. "Keep talking, and I'll toss you into the ocean next."

She smirked. "Fine, fine. Wouldn’t want to upset the noble savior."

Then, the guests parted—and Victoria finally saw him.

"Ethan—"

Her joy shattered when she noticed his fingers laced tightly with Vivian's.

He saved me... only to hold her hand instead of waiting for me?

Hope flickered and died in her chest, over and over, all day.

Jealousy took root, spreading like wildfire through her veins.

She swallowed it down, forcing a fragile smile. "Ethan, I heard you jumped in after me... You’ve saved me so many times. How can I ever repay you?"

Nathaniel's expression remained cold. "Instinct. Don’t mention it."

His words cut deeper than any blade.

He once gave up everything for me. Even his life. Now, he won’t even acknowledge our past...

Evelyn Sinclair watched the scene unfold. As an actress, she recognized unrequited love when she saw it.

Victoria was still obsessed. Nathaniel had moved on—clearly, to his ex-wife.

Evelyn had been struggling to find a way to eliminate Vivian as competition. But now... she had an idea.

She approached the "bride," feigning concern. "Oh, Victoria! Everyone was so worried! How did you even fall in? You were fine earlier—unless someone pushed you?"