The journey to the island was smooth. Nothing happened on the not too short journey that would restrict their advance other than a few minor issues. The weather was clear all the way and the sea was calm. Damian, who had never been on a boat before, did not get seasick, but rather ran around the deck throughout the trip.

“Mom! How big is Rope Island?”

“I’m not sure exactly, but about twice as big as the capital maybe?”

“It’s huge! Do you think there will be many friends my age?”

“I don’t know about that. I think there are a lot of older children.”

Rowena patted Damian’s head as she admired the peaceful night as it passed. After stomping his feet happily for a while, Damien fell asleep holding his nanny’s hand, while Rowena recalled the dawn when she had to leave this place.

It was a dawn that no words could describe. A dawn she would never be able to forget throughout her life.

Her tears had already dried up, and there was no more emotion that was left to be shed after last night, only the empty shell remained behind. She left the villa without leaving a trace, carrying only one light piece of luggage. She boarded the first boat without any hesitation. the boat she boarded this time was much smaller and shabbier than the one she used to come here, where she planned to throw herself into the sea.

Rather than wanting to die, she just wanted to disappear. Like the mermaid in some fairy tale, she wanted to become nothing but seafoam and be absorbed into the sea. She wanted her name, her body, her soul, her memories of the scattered love, and the reminiscence of those long, long night to disappear as if it had never happened.

If only she had not been aware of Damian’s existence just before she put her decision into action….

It was Killian’s child, the man whom she hated and resented so much, but by heavens, the thought of trying to cease this pregnancy had never crossed her mind. She never regretted carrying him in her belly for almost ten months even with the fact that the child ended up resembling  his father. 

“Ah!”

While she was lost in thought, someone approached her from behind and hugged her. Although it was springtime, the sea breeze was still chilly. Kilian, who had draped a thick shawl over her, reached over and pulled her long blonde hair out over her shawl, letting it flow over her back, this all happened before Rowena had time to turn around, startled.

“Rowena.”

“You surprised me!”

Rowena, chest heaving, spat at him, trying not to make her hatred for him too obvious. Killian, who placed his hand over top of Rowena’s hand on the railing, kissed her temple.

Rowena, who had somewhat grown accustomed to both such attentiveness and physical contact, relaxed her still, tense body against his firm chest.

“What are you looking at?”

“Nothing in particular.”

“You know, when you think about something, you tend to curl your lower lip and bite it.”

“Ehh?”

It was the first time she had heard of such a thing. Rowena, quickly turning her back to face Killian, repeated the question with a look of disbelief on her face.

“Really? I have such a habit?”

“You didn’t know, did you?”

“Lies.”

“It’s the truth.”

Smirking, Killian dropped his gaze at her neck, which was bare.

“You don’t wear the necklace these days.”

“That’s …….”

Rowena explained, smiling awkwardly at the words that were thrown at her so sharply that she was caught off guard.

“The engagement necklace you gave me is so precious. I am afraid I might lose it.”

The fact is, she could never wear it around her neck after she knew what it meant. It felt like a tight leash around her neck and it made her feel suffocated.

“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely wear it when we get there!”