Kiss or Kill: My Toxic Billionaire Husband

A thin mist rose over the sea, and a lonely little sailboat rocked gently, its mast creaking. On the deck, two bodies intertwined, lost in passionate kisses. Elena's bare skin gleamed shining under the cold moonlight, creating a stark contrast to the man's sun-kissed skin. "I want you, darling." Elena felt a flush creep across her cheeks, her voice thick with urgency. "Let's change the posture," the man replied, his voice low and tempting. His hand slipped onto Elena's waist and lifted her off the deck. They kissed while slowly retreating until Elena's back met the icy railing. A chill seeped through her skin, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through her. "Get down." His tone was commanding. Suddenly, his movements turned rough. He seized her wrist with one hand and pinned her against the railing. At this moment, desire flooded Elena's heart. The dark blue water mirrored her face, and she looked like a vibrant blossom floating amidst the sparkling waves. The man's palm pressed against her lower back, sending a shock of cold through her. "Goodbye, Elena," said the man. "What?" Elena asked in confusion. Before she could process it, she felt a violent shove against her back. A loud crash echoed in her ears as the sea swallowed her whole. Her skin went from burning hot to freezing cold in an instant, and the stark contrast made her heart race. Everything happened within a few seconds, and her mind went blank. She gulped down mouthfuls of bitter seawater and struggled violently until she finally broke the surface and gasped for air. "Help... Help! Mark!" Elena shouted with all her might. The sailboat's engine faded into the distance and disappeared over the horizon, its wake churning the surface. Elena couldn't believe that on her wedding day, her beloved husband would try to murder her! Yes, this was Elena and Mark's wedding night. Just hours earlier, they had made lifelong vows in front of the priest. Then, Mark suggested they set out to chase a romantic sunrise, and their honeymoon kicked off. Now, it turned out that the so-called honeymoon was just a ploy to cover up his crime! But Elena couldn't understand why. The cold water began to seep into Elena's body, and her awareness gradually slipped away. Amid the chaos, flashes of memories with Mark flickered in her mind. It took her back to their first meeting. She had just wrapped up a hectic day at the financial center and dashed into a corner café to start her part-time job. As she was organizing the counter, a deep and magnetic voice called out to her. "Excuse me, ma'am." Elena looked up, startled, and was met with a strikingly handsome face. The sunset bathed him, making him all the more charming. Elena's heart skipped a beat. Mark smiled and asked, "Excuse me, could I get a napkin?" Flustered, she handed him a stack of napkins, yet her gaze was glued to him, unable to look away. Mark sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, chatting and laughing with the person across from him, his long legs crossing gracefully. From that day on, he became a regular at the café. Sometimes, he showed up in a sharp suit, and other times, he came in casual wear, as if he'd just finished a morning run. Elena always kept an eye on him from a distance, a flicker of anticipation growing in her heart. Then one day, as Mark was paying the bill at the counter, he casually said, "I'm so tired of the same old stuff here." Elena's heart sank almost instantly. She feared he might not come back again. But then he turned the conversation around. "How about you join me, and we try somewhere new?" From that day on, they started spending more time together. They tasted all kinds of food from street stalls to fancy restaurants and shared sunrises and sunsets. With time going by, their hearts inched closer together. Elena felt the dizzying rush of love for the first time, and she was overwhelmed by happiness. Before long, Mark proposed to Elena. Maybe the best thing in the world was realizing that the person she'd secretly liked felt the same way about her. That was how Elena felt back then. But now, as she soaked in the icy water, a harsh realization hit her. The most beautiful things could also be the most dangerous—everything had been a trap set for her. What she couldn't grasp was why Mark would go through the trouble to lay a trap. The freezing sea made her lips tremble uncontrollably, and her fingers turned pale. Yet Elena told herself, 'I can't let this happen. I won't freeze to death! I have to move! I can't let Mark get away with this! I need answers! I wanna make him pay!' The will to survive pushed aside her despair. Elena slowly started to move, and her sluggish blood finally began to flow again. After what felt like an eternity, the sun finally broke through the clouds, bringing her a hint of warmth. The cries of seagulls sliced through the sky. Then it hit her—seagulls usually circled around where there was food. Maybe there were other boats nearby! She decided to swim in the direction of the seagulls, and soon enough, a yacht came into view. It was like an oasis in the sea, reigniting Elena's hope. "I have to get there!" she exclaimed while pushing herself toward the yacht. But as she swam closer, her strength began to wane. Her limbs felt heavy, and her vision started to blur. The yacht seemed to drift further away. The water rose, swallowing her nose and mouth, finally covering her eyes and whole body... Then suddenly, a strong arm wrapped tightly around her waist. The warmth of solid muscle flooded through her, but her consciousness started to fade...