Romance with the Cursed Siren

CHAPTER 6. Discarded Fishing Net

Crystal managed to slip back into their wooden home unnoticed.

The island was quiet except for the soft crashing of distant waves against the shore and the rustling of palm leaves dancing beneath the midnight breeze. Inside the cabin, darkness blanketed every corner, lit only by the fading glow of an oil lamp near the kitchen.

Christian had already fallen into a deep sleep after spending the entire day repairing fences, and securing livestoc. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him, making his breathing slow and deep from inside the bedroom he shared with Aya.

Crystal quietly tiptoed across the wooden floorboards, careful not to make the slightest sound.

Her damp white sundress clung lightly against her skin from the seawater, and droplets still slid down the ends of her long wavy black hair. She quickly entered her room and gently closed the door behind her.

The young siren leaned against the door and released a deep breath.

Then slowly, a smile spread across her face. A silly, dreamy smile.

Her eyes sparkled while she pressed both hands against her warm cheeks, remembering Gabriel’s face beneath the moonlight. Especially when he had jumped into the water after her and when she saw him shirtless beneath the silver glow of the night sky.

Crystal buried her face into her pillow and let out a muffled squeal before giggling softly to herself.

‘Why does he make me feel like this?’

Her heart fluttered wildly every time she remembered the way Gabriel looked at her—as though she were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

No one had ever looked at her like that before.

Then she suddenly remembered the bracelet.

Crystal immediately sat upright and hurried toward her closet. Carefully, she pulled the golden bangle from out of her pocket and stared at it lovingly beneath the dim moonlight spilling through her small window.

It looked delicate and expensive, glowing warmly against her olive skin.

A gift from Gabriel. A remembrance of their friendship and a promise of reunion.

The thought alone made her smile uncontrollably again.

But she quickly hid it beneath folded clothes inside her closet, making sure Aya would never discover it.

After changing into a dry oversized shirt, Crystal finally crawled into bed.

Her room was simple and small, with wooden walls, woven curtains, and a thin mattress that barely softened the hard bed beneath her. Yet tonight, she felt as though she were sleeping in the softest clouds.

Because her thoughts were full of Gabriel Anderson.

She stared dreamily at the ceiling while replaying every moment they sshared His voice, the warmth of his hand touching hers. The way his brown eyes softened whenever he looked at her.

Crystal touched her lips unconsciously and giggled again before exhaustion finally pulled her into a peaceful sleep.

The next morning arrived with a golden sunrise stretching beautifully across the ocean.

Crystal woke up early before either of her parents could stop her.

Quietly, she slipped out of the house and hurried toward the eastern shore of the island where the sea was calm and untouched.

The morning breeze carried the scent of saltwater and fresh earth from the rainstorm the day before. Tiny waves brushed gently against her feet as she stepped into the ocean.

She wore Gabriel’s bracelet. The golden bangle shimmered softly around her wrist beneath the morning sunlight.

Crystal smiled at it before diving deeper into the water.

She swam farther and farther until the island became distant behind her. Small fish surrounded her gracefully while beams of sunlight pierced through the clear ocean like glowing ribbons.

Then slowly—The pain began.

Crystal winced as the familiar agony spread through her body beneath the water. Her bones shifted painfully. Her legs trembled violently as they fused together while shimmering scales slowly formed along her skin.

Bubbles escaped her lips as she squeezed her eyes shut tightly, enduring the curse she had carried since birth.

Moments later—

A magnificent silver-green tail emerged beneath the water.

The scales sparkled brilliantly beneath the sunlight while her long flowing fins moved elegantly through the sea.

Crystal rose gracefully above the surface, taking a deep breath as the waves welcomed her true form once more.

Relief immediately washed through her body.

She laughed happily and flipped her massive tail behind her, sending droplets of seawater sparkling through the air like diamonds.

Then excitement filled her eyes.

Without wasting another second, Crystal swam quickly around the island toward the rocky coast where his yacht remained stranded.

As she neared the area, she carefully hid behind a massive boulder protruding from the sea and slowly peeked above the surface.

Gabriel was there and so was Christian. The two men stood near the damaged propeller while examining the yacht beneath the bright morning sun.

“You should be able to continue your journey tonight once we finish fixing this,” Christian said while tightening something near the blades.

Gabriel nodded gratefully.

“Thank you so much for helping me, sir. Honestly, if you weren’t here, I’d probably stay stranded forever.”

Christian chuckled lightly.

“You city boys rely too much on technology.”

Gabriel laughed sheepishly.

Crystal smiled secretly while watching them. But moments later, Aya suddenly appeared from the trail leading toward the shore.

“Christian,” she called worriedly, “have you seen Crystal?”

Gabriel immediately glanced toward them while pretending not to listen too closely.

Christian straightened.

“No, sweetheart. Why?”

Aya carefully stepped closer and lowered her voice.

Still, Gabriel unintentionally overheard fragments of their conversation through the quiet breeze.

“I’ve been calling her near the shore,” Aya whispered anxiously. “She hasn’t answered me. I’m worried she might get seen by the guest.”

Christian sighed softly.

“She’s probably just swimming somewhere underwater,” he reassured gently. “You know how playful she gets.”

Aya nodded nervously. Then her eyes shifted toward Gabriel.

“Isn’t he leaving yet?”

Christian followed her gaze before answering quietly,

“Later. Once the tide rises.”

He reached for Aya’s hand and pressed a soft kiss against her lips.

Gabriel immediately looked away awkwardly.

Aya blushed deeply and lightly pushed Christian’s chest.

“What?” Christian asked innocently.

“We’re not alone,” she whispered with embarrassed laughter.

Christian grinned.

“Right. Sorry.”

Crystal giggled quietly behind the rock while watching her parents and stayed there quietly, waiting for the perfect chance to have a little conversation with the young man.

Until a moment later, suddenly—

“Crystal.”

Her entire body jolted violently.

She turned and nearly screamed when she saw Christian standing directly behind her with crossed arms and a serious expression.

“Da!” she gasped dramatically while clutching her chest.

“You almost killed me!”

Christian raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? I thought you were fearless enough to spy around here.”

Crystal pouted immediately.

“He might see you,” Christian warned firmly. “And you know very well that would be dangerous.”

Crystal frowned deeply.

“But what if he’s like you?” she argued. “You saw Mom’s siren form, and you still loved her.”

Christian’s expression softened slightly.

“That’s different.”

“How?” Crystal demanded. “What if other people could understand too?”

Christian sighed heavily.

“Crystal, not everyone will react kindly. Humans fear things they don’t understand.”

“But how would we know?” she cried emotionally. “I’ve spent my whole life trapped on this island!”

Tears began forming in her eyes. Tiny glowing pearls slipped from her lashes and disappeared into the ocean beneath her.

Christian’s heart ached immediately. But before he could speak again, Crystal suddenly dove underwater and swam away.

Christian stared sadly at the rippling waves she left behind.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he whispered.

Crystal swam farther from the island. Pain and frustration filled her chest while tears continued falling from her eyes beneath the ocean. Each pearl-like tear drifted beautifully through the water before disappearing into the currents.

She loved her parents deeply. But for the first time in her life, she felt angry. Angry that she could never explore the world, that she had to hide and that Gabriel would eventually leave while she remained trapped on Caro Island forever.

Crystal continued swimming blindly through the water until suddenly something wrapped tightly around her tail.

Her eyes widened.

A discarded fishing net.

Before she could react further, the tangled ropes tightened around her body.

Crystal struggled violently.

But the more she fought, the tighter the net became. Fear quickly replaced her frustration.

‘No…’

‘No!’

She tried pulling herself free, but the heavy net trapped her completely beneath the water.

Meanwhile, hours slowly passed.

The sky gradually darkened as sunset approached.

Back on shore, Aya’s anxiety worsened with every passing minute.

“Christian,” she whispered shakily, “she still hasn’t returned.”

Christian’s face hardened with worry. Guilt gnawed painfully at his chest.

‘Maybe I pushed her too far.’

The couple searched desperately along the shore, calling Crystal’s name repeatedly while fear consumed them more and more.

Meanwhile Gabriel arrived near the cabin. He had come to say goodbye before finally leaving the island.

And secretly, he hoped to see Crystal one last time. But the house stood empty.

Then he heard urgent shouting from afar.

“Crystal!”

Gabriel immediately followed the voices until he reached the opposite shore where Christian and Aya stood near the water looking terrified.

“What happened?” Gabriel asked quickly.

Christian looked exhausted and soaked from repeatedly diving underwater.

Aya stiffened immediately upon seeing him. Fear flashed across her face.

“What are you doing here?” Christian growled sharply.

Gabriel hesitated.

“I just wanted to say goodbye,” he explained quickly. “But then I heard you calling Crystal’s name. Did something happen?”

Christian remained silent for several painful seconds.

Finally, he lowered his head heavily.

“She’s out there,” he whispered hoarsely while staring toward the darkening sea. “Somewhere underwater.”

Aya gripped Christian’s arm tightly in panic.

“We need to find her before sunset.”

Gabriel immediately understood the seriousness in his voice.

“I’ll help.”

Without waiting for permission, he rushed toward Christian’s wooden canoe.

Christian hesitated only briefly before following. Together, the two men rowed desperately across the darkening ocean while Aya remained trembling along the shore.

The sun continued sinking lower. And somewhere beneath the sea Crystal remained trapped.