The waves churned violently as Ethan Sullivan plunged into the sea.

Icy water swallowed him whole.

Like a disoriented fish, he thrashed against the raging currents.

Each dive beneath the surface carried hope.

Each resurfacing brought crushing disappointment.

Dusk settled, staining the ocean ink-black.

Ethan dragged his exhausted body ashore, drenched and shivering.

A gust of sea wind made him tremble.

Not from cold.

But from the glacial dread in his heart.

Sophia was gone.

The thought stole his breath.

His assistant rushed over. "Mr. Sullivan, the search team has deployed."

Ethan wiped seawater from his face. "Send more personnel." His voice was raw.

Speedboats crisscrossed the waters, searchlights slicing through the darkness.

Four bodyguards were rescued.

Only Sophia remained missing.

Ethan stood rigid on the deck, knuckles bleached white.

The howling wind mocked his helplessness.

"Sir, you need rest." The assistant offered steaming tea.

Ethan knocked it aside.

The cup vanished into the sea without a sound.

Just like Sophia's disappearance.

Engine noises approached.

Vincent Laurent and Victor Sullivan's yachts pulled alongside.

"Where's my daughter?" Vincent seized Ethan's collar.

Ethan's throat worked. "I'll find her."

"Find her? It's been three days!" Vincent's eyes burned red. "If she's—"

His voice broke.

Victor intervened. "Fighting won't help now."

Night deepened.

Ethan remained motionless at the railing.

A statue carved from grief.

Victor forced a coat over his shoulders. "Eat something."

"Not hungry."

"Do you want Sophia to see you like this when she returns?"

The barb struck true.

Ethan mechanically chewed tasteless bread.

On the third evening,

the sunset painted the ocean blood-red.

A breathless crewman sprinted toward him. "Madam is back!"

Ethan's pupils contracted.

"Waiting at the hotel!"

He sprinted toward shore.

His heart threatened to burst from his chest.

At the hotel entrance,

that familiar silhouette made his eyes burn.

"Sophia!"

She turned, tear tracks on her sun-darkened cheeks.

They crashed into each other's arms.

Ethan crushed her against him, terrified she'd vanish.

"Where were you?" His voice shattered.

"Washed to a deserted island. A fishing boat found me this morning."

He cradled her face, drinking in every detail.

Real.

His Sophia had returned.

Words failed.

Only this embrace held meaning.