Too Late to Love Her Right

Chapter 5 Let It End This Way

　　Because Debbie's hand was injured, Carlos, who had originally turned back midway just to grab some documents, decided not to go to the office at all. He made a call to have someone pick them up and handle things, then stayed home to be with her.

　　There was a pool in the backyard. With autumn settling in, no one really used it anymore, though the water had yet to be drained.

　　With a bit of free time today, Carlos sat with Debbie by the pool, while ordering someone to come drain the water.

　　Just as the water was nearly gone, Debbie pouted, her voice tinged with regret.

　　"Carlos, I've actually never played in a pool before. Always wanted to try it... just once."

　　Carlos pulled her into his arms, his voice full of warmth. "Once you're better, we'll do it together."

　　"But who knows if I'll ever really get better..." Debbie looked up at him, eyes filled with longing. "Remember how good Fiona was at swimming? When we were kids, she always trailed after you guys-whatever you could do, she could too. I used to admire her so much."

　　At her words, Carlos's gaze suddenly turned sharp as it landed on Fiona, who had been silent, standing just behind them.

　　"If that's the case, let her jump in and show you."

　　Fiona stiffened on reflex.

　　Ever since the car accident with Bruce three months ago, she had been lucky to survive-but the nerves in her calf had been damaged. If she stretched too hard, it would cramp up, and the doctor had warned her to avoid swimming and similar activities.

　　Before she could get a word in, Carlos was already standing right in front of her.

　　Fiona instinctively backed up a step. "Mr. Morton, I really don't feel well... can we do this some other time?"

　　Carlos let out a twisted smirk, eyes chilling. "Not feeling well? Or just still unsatisfied from what happened earlier?"

　　He hated her. With every ounce of him. Wanted her humiliated at every turn.

　　Fiona's face burned red, but her eyes stayed stubborn, refusing to yield.

　　"Mr. Morton... I really just can't-ah!"

　　Before she could finish, Carlos yanked her hard straight into the water.

　　Splash!

　　It was autumn cold.

　　But no chill from the water could compare to the ice-cold sting in her chest.

　　Carlos stood on the edge of the pool, expression unreadable.

　　Debbie leaned against him, her tone soft and dreamy. "My sister's so lucky, huh? The water's freezing, and she's still out here playing like it's nothing."

　　Playing. Like it was fun.

　　‘Debbie, if not for you... I wouldn't be in here at all.'

　　*****

　　The pool wasn't that deep-standing upright, the water just barely reached her chest.

　　But it was freezing.

　　She heard Debbie again, cheerful as ever. "Carlos, look at my sister go! If only my body were that strong, I could be amazing like her too! Carlos, do you think Fiona can dive? I really want to see it-must look so cool..."

　　"If you want to see it, she can dive for you."

　　Splash-something metal hit the water.

　　Fiona looked up and saw Carlos still lounging in that rattan chair, face icy, lips curled in a sneer.

　　"The keys. Go fish them out."

　　Ha. Fiona let out a small, bitter smile.

　　Her whole body was already going numb from the cold. She didn't have the strength to dive anymore.

　　Slowly, her body began to sink.

　　From the deep of the pool, circles of a reddish-brown haze started blooming, like a bloody lotus opening in full.

　　The blood-was hers. She just didn't know how or when it happened.

　　Forget it. No point in fighting it anymore.

　　She closed her eyes, letting her mind go blank as everything faded around her.