Fifty Strikes and I'm Out

"What?" I feigned confusion.

Terence let out a breath of relief.

After that, I grew distant. I turned over and tried to sit up. "I'm going home if there's nothing else."

He grabbed my hand and pushed me gently back down by the shoulder. "Just rest here. This is my bedroom."

Of course I knew it was his bedroom. After all, a photo of him and Bethany Howard was on the table.

They were both in their high school uniforms, smiling brightly.

I'd been with Terence for five years, and not once had we taken a photo together. Any time I tried to sneak one for a keepsake, he snatched my phone away in anger.

"Don't take pictures of me again. I hate it."

Following my gaze, Terence darted over and flipped the photo facedown, his voice rushed with panic. "She's Bethany Howard, your college classmate and my cousin. Don't overthink it."

"Alright," I replied flatly.

Terence froze for a moment. He couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you going to ask anything else?"

I looked up and stared at him. My nails dug into my palm deeply.

A sliver of desperate hope flickered within me as I asked, "Do you have anything you'd like to explain?"

He opened his mouth, frustration clouding his face.

We both knew something had changed between us ever since that fire prank. I'd been too well-behaved.

If it had been the old me, I would've repeatedly asked why he took a photo with her but never with me.

Terence would most likely lose his temper and start a huge fight with me. In the end, we wouldn't take the photo, I would cry my eyes out, and he would storm off in frustration.

A heavy silence spread between us.

Just then, a female voice broke the stillness from not far away.

"Terence, I heard Ariana is here. I wanted to meet her!"

I didn't expect the next time I'd see Bethany would be in Terence's house.

She was even prettier than back in college. Dressed head-to-toe in designer brands, her dimples were showing as she smiled.

I was covered in cuts and bruises. I knew exactly how pathetic I must've seemed next to her.

I forced a smile and greeted her. "Hi Bethany, long time no see."

Before she could respond, Terence grabbed her hand and quickly led her out.

The walls weren't thick. I could still hear his voice from outside.

"What are you doing here? Didn't I say that you two shouldn't see each other?"

Bethany's aggrieved voice came through.

"But you haven't talked to me in 24 hours. They said you brought her home. You've never brought her here before! And didn't you say only I could sleep in your bed?"

I froze, unable to believe what I was hearing.

The sour sting returned to my eyes. My hands trembled as I covered my mouth.

Then I heard Terence scolding her quietly. "Keep your voice down! What if she hears you?"

Bethany paused. When she spoke again, her voice sounded even more aggrieved.

"Are you actually scolding me because of her?"

Their voices were barely audible. I had to strain to catch them. But somehow, the sound of Terence kissing her was deafening.

"Be good. Just wait for me a little longer, okay?"

Bethany sniffled.

After a pause, she said, "My birthday's in a few days. We're celebrating on the cruise. You have to stay with me the whole time, and she's coming too.

"I want to break her heart right there. Let her watch as the man she loves clings to me. Then I'll say something went wrong on the cruise and throw her into the little boat I've prepared."

Terence's voice turned cold. "What are you trying to do?"

Bethany let out a cold snort. "I want her completely out of our lives. Let her drift away on her own."

"She could get hurt!" Terence snapped.

Bethany instantly grew anxious. "Didn't you say you'd do anything for me? What's this now? Besides, she knows how to swim. What's there to be scared of?"

"Fine, fine, I'll do whatever you want. Don't be mad…" Terence coaxed her gently.

I heard their footsteps drawing closer and quickly got back into bed.

When the door opened, Bethany wore a bright smile. She hastened forward, a fleeting look of concern crossing her face before her words tumbled out impatiently.

"Ariana, I'm having a birthday party on the cruise in three days. You'll come too, right?"

Terence stood silently beside her, looking rather grim.

I smiled. "Sure. It's been a while since we saw each other anyway."

Since they wanted to watch me drift away in front of everyone, I'd give them exactly what they wanted.

Three days passed faster than I expected.

Bethany's birthday celebration was lavish. The cruise was filled with all kinds of guests.

Just like she planned, she made a glamorous entrance with Terence by her side, drawing praise as the perfect couple.

Every mocking stare landed on me. I heard sneers from all around.

I ignored them, just growing more impatient as I waited.

The party went on normally until someone suddenly shouted, "Fire!"

Panic erupted. People scattered in all directions.

I was swept up by the crowd and pushed onto the deck.

Bethany rushed over and grabbed my hand. Her expression was full of urgency as she said, "Ariana, jump onto that boat first!"

I looked at the small boat, so plainly prepared for me, and I dove in without a moment's pause.

A wave of dizziness hit me. Then, laughter erupted from the cruise.

"Everyone, look! That idiot Ariana really jumped!"

I looked up and stared at them in silence.

The deck was crowded, but every face shared the same mocking expression.

Bethany slowly raised a pair of scissors. Amid the jeering and my gaze, she snipped the rope linking the lifeboat to the cruise.

"Stupid woman. Drift away on your own."

The moment she spoke, I saw Terence rush over from behind.

He shoved through the crowd, trying to grab the rope that had fallen but missed.

"You're all insane! Ariana could really die! There's a bomb on that boat!"

At his words, I turned to the timer ticking down beside me and smiled faintly.

Even as the sea wind lashed at my hair, I was amused by Terence's frantic expression, which was seared into my memory.

After being fooled by him for so long, I finally got to trick him back right to his face once.

"Terence, are you satisfied with the 50th revenge?"

The wind swallowed most of my voice, but I knew he heard me.

He stood frozen in place.

As he stood there, stunned, a powerful blast ripped through the air. Flames erupted skyward, lighting up everything around.

"Goodbye, Terence."