THE GIRL HE BURIED CAME BACK: The Art of Losing Her

Help..!” ‎ ‎Saltwater rushed into Zhao Mei’s mouth. ‎ ‎She choked, coughing violently, her arms flailing against the dark, endless waves. “S-somebody.. help me!” ‎ ‎The ocean answered with silence. ‎ ‎Her limbs burned. Every gasp dragged in more water than air. She kicked, harder but nothing. ‎ ‎No one was coming. ‎ ‎Xu Muchen… ‎ ‎Her chest tightened, more painful than the drowning. ‎ ‎“You really won’t even listen…?” she whispered, her voice breaking. ‎ ‎Another wave swallowed her. Her strength was dropping. ‎ ‎Dad… ‎ ‎His pale face on the hospital bed flashed before her eyes. The way his fingers trembled in hers. ‎ ‎Mom doesn’t even know yet… ‎ ‎A cry tore from her throat, lost instantly in the sea. Her body sank lower, becoming colder and heavier. ‎ ‎“I didn’t betray you…” she rasped. ‎ ‎The words felt useless now. His voice echoed in her mind, devoid of it usual warmth.. ‎ ‎“I don’t want to see you again.” ‎ ‎Her lashes fluttered. A faint, bitter smile touched her lips. ‎ ‎If you had just listened… ‎ ‎Darkness closed in. ‎ ‎The ocean closed over her shoulders… her chin… her lips… ‎ ‎and then….‎ ‎Something tightened around her wrist. One day earlier “I didn’t do it, Muchen! Those photos are fake, someone put my face on them!” Zhao Mei’s voice shook inside the car, breaking on the last word. Rain pounded the roof like it wanted to break in. She leaned toward him across the seat, her wet blouse clinging cold to her skin, her fingers grabbing at his sleeve. Tears spilled hot down her cheeks, mixing with the rain still dripping from her hair. She wiped at her nose with her sleeve, but it kept running, and another sob tore from her throat, making her shoulders jerk hard. Xu Muchen stared out the window, his jaw clenched tight. The overwhelming scent of his cologne filled the tight space, the same one that used to make her feel safe. His fingers rested on his knee, unmoving till now, but she saw them press down once, hard enough to whiten the knuckles. “The timestamps match the messages and hotel records.” His voice stayed cold, each word landing heavy. “My assistant verified everything, Zhao Mei.” She pressed closer, her knee bumping against his leg, desperate for any warmth he could offer. “I was with Dad at the hospital the whole morning. The nurses saw me. C-call them… please, you have to believe me.” She said her breath fast and shallow, chest squeezing tight like a fist around her heart. Fear twisted in her stomach. She curled forward, her arms wrapping around her middle, fingers digging in as sobs pushed out one after another. Her whole body trembled. The taste of salt filled her mouth, thick and sweet. “I love you. I would never hurt you like this. Not after everything we’ve been through.” Zhao Mei said her voice low. The wipers squeaked back and forth outside. Xu Muchen swallowed, his throat moving. For one second his hand lifted halfway, like he might touch her hair the way he used to. Then it dropped back down. “Evidence doesn’t lie.” His words came slower, but the cold stayed in them. He turned his face a little more away, his shoulder stiff. She rocked back and forth in the seat, forehead nearly on her knees, her wet jeans scraping the leather. Another sob ripped out, choking her. The pain in her chest burned hotter, spreading up her throat. How could he sit there so still when she felt like she was breaking apart? The fear of losing him clawed at her, making her hands shake worse. Her phone buzzed loud in her bag. She fumbled for it, fingers slippery from tears, and pressed it to her ear. “Hello? This is Zhao Mei.” The nurse spoke fast, voice soft. “Miss Zhao, your father was discharged this morning but he’s been rushed back in. Symptoms; chest pains, struggling to breathe. You need to come right away.” Zhao Mei sat up straight, heart slamming against her ribs. “I’m coming. Tell him I’m on my way.” She hung up and grabbed the door handle. The car had slowed near her building. Without looking back she pushed the door open. The cold rain hit her face again, soaking her instantly. Her shoes splashed into a puddle as she stepped out, her legs weak but moving. Xu Muchen’s head turned sideways. He narrowed his eyes, watching her hurry toward the street with the phone still clutched tight in her hand. She didn’t say goodbye. Didn’t explain. She just… ran. She waved desperately for a taxi, her feet hitting the wet pavement, breath coming in short gasps. Behind her, the car door shut with a heavy click and the engine rumbled loud as it pulled away. Her phone buzzed again. She answered while running, rain stinging her eyes. “Yes? I’m almost there…” A different voice came through, sounding urgent. “Miss Zhao, we need you to…” The line cut off suddenly with a loud beep. “Hello.. ”