He Died So She Could Live

Chapter 5 She Threw Away Their Only Bond

Three days later, at the wedding venue, Adrian indulged Vivian in everything she wanted, including a seaside setting, red roses drifting down from above, and a one of a kind wedding ring.

Selene trailed behind them, a heavy camera slung in her hands as she kept shooting without pause. Through her lens, thousands of intimate, suggestive poses came into focus, each one cutting sharply into her eyes.

Three hours passed, yet Vivian showed no intention of stopping. She stepped closer, swaying Selene's wrist, but her fingers pressed hard against the needle marks on Selene's arm.

"Selene, let's shoot on the deck. The view is beautiful there. Today is the happiest day of my life. Can you help me capture my most beautiful moments?"

A sharp pain shot through Selene's hand. The camera slipped from her grasp and crashed to the ground.

"Ah! That hurts!" Vivian's eyes reddened instantly. She looked at Selene, her voice filled with grievance and hurt. "Selene, if you don't want to do it, you can just say so. I won't force you."

Selene froze, instinctively looking toward Adrian. But this time, he did not stand on her side.

Adrian pulled Vivian behind him, glaring at Selene with displeasure. That protective gesture pierced Selene like countless needles, tightening her breath. A stack of cash struck her face, burning against her skin.

"Five hundred thousand isn't enough, right? Here's another hundred thousand. If you don't make Vivian happy today, you can stay on this island. You're not going anywhere."

Selene watched as Adrian gently massaged Vivian's leg, his expression full of concern. She forced a smile and nodded. She crouched down, picking up the money, taking a deep breath.

"If you had paid earlier, it would've been fine. I'll make sure the bride looks beautiful in every shot."

Adrian stared at her coldly, disgusted by how eager she seemed at the sight of money. After a moment, he looked away and gently ruffled Vivian's hair.

"Vivian, go ahead and take photos first. I'll join you after I finish the toast."

Right in front of Selene, he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Vivian's forehead. After Adrian left, the two of them walked onto the deck. The sea wind howled across the open space as Vivian posed in various positions.

Selene remained expressionless, taking photo after photo. As she shifted, the simple ring on a silver chain around Selene's neck slipped free. It was the ring Adrian had given her when he had nothing.

She had kept it all this time, strung on a chain. A trace of panic flashed through her as she tried to tuck it back into her clothes.

But Vivian was faster. She snatched it away. Vivian's expression shifted, her brows tightening, until only anger and displeasure remained.

"Why are you still keeping this ring?"

Selene's expression faltered. This was the only connection left between her and Adrian.

She had planned to take it with her to the border and, in two years, carry it with her into the grave. At least in this lifetime, that would count as growing old together.

Her lips pressed together nervously as she reached out her hand. "Give it back. It doesn't mean anything."

Vivian let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Then let's see if it really means nothing."

With that, she threw the ring into the sea. The waves crashed against the deck. The ring vanished instantly beneath the water.

Selene's heart jolted violently.

'The ring…'

Before she could even react, a force grabbed her wrist. Splash! Both she and Vivian were dragged into the sea.