Chapter 1The Train to Farewell

When I was eighteen, I used my heart’s blood to save Terry after he was shipwrecked, binding us in a three-year tribulation contract.

But on the day of our ninth wedding attempt, Terry backed out again.

Instead of arguing as I had in the past, I calmly proposed, "Let's just call it off."

He frowned, his tone carrying a mix of exasperation and blame.

"Don't throw a temper tantrum. Amara isn't doing well right now. This trip is very important to her. It's just a one-week delay. We'll get married the moment we get back."

I remained quiet for a moment, then finally nodded.

Amara's custom ringtone went off. Before leaving, he smiled and ran his fingers through my hair.

"Be good. I promise, this is the last time. When I get back, I'll transfer that beach house you love into your name."

I forced a tight, painful smile.

There wouldn't be a next time. Terry didn't know that I was the last mermaid left in the world. If he didn't choose me completely, I would dissolve into nothingness beneath the next full moon, exactly six days from now.

"Bang!"

The front door slammed shut, sharp and final.

I stood alone in the center of the silent room, a dull, familiar ache beginning to throb beneath my skin. I quickly made my way to the bathroom.

Under the running water, a faint, barely visible shimmer rippled across my skin, like a fading signal. After some time, the burning pain finally subsided.

My limbs felt stiff, taking me back to the day I first stepped ashore. Back then, walking on the sand felt like treading on glass. Every step was the reminding price of survival. And in the end, despite bleeding for him, I still couldn't win Terry's heart.

Just as I went to step out, the lock clicked.

Terry walked back in, carrying the faint, unmistakable scent of medicine. It was the scent of his fragile, sickly adoptive sister, the girl he always had to protect.

I stepped out of the bathroom, cold and dripping with water.

He paused, not coming any closer. He raised an eyebrow. "A cold shower? Was your temper really that flared up?"

My face was pale, and I didn't answer.

He didn't care. He spoke casually. "Amara was worried you'd be bored here alone. Pack your bags tonight. We're leaving tomorrow, and you're coming with us."

I froze, looking up at him.

Terry brushed his thumb gently against the corner of my eye, a soft laugh slipping from his lips. "You're always jealous of me spending time alone with Amara. This should make you happy, shouldn't it?"

My body went rigid.

He quickly withdrew his hand to check his phone. Without looking up, he added, "By the way, we're heading to the desert. Amara has always wanted to see the night sky there."

My pupils contracted, my fingers trembling. "I... Can I stay behind?"

"You know I can't handle the heat, and my dehydration condition..."

Terry looked up from his screen, his expression hardening. He let out a cold scoff. "Dehydration condition? You're just being dramatic."

Before I could explain, his gaze turned icy. "Amara is in much worse health and she didn't complain. She wanted to include you out of kindness, and this is how you repay her?"

The blood drained from my face, leaving me speechless.

Terry stared at me for a few seconds, letting out a weary sigh. "Neri, I don't want to fight with you right before our wedding."

My body remained stiff as I looked into his warm yet unyielding eyes.

"Don't make me repeat myself."

Under his heavy gaze, I finally whispered, "Okay."

Terry smiled, satisfied. He tapped his screen a few times, and the ticket confirmation popped up before my eyes.

This was the ninth time he had used our wedding as a bargaining chip to force me to yield. Even though I knew the inevitable outcome, I still found myself stupidly hoping.

The door opened and closed. Terry left with a light step, eager to return to Amara.

I looked out the window, watching the moon grow fuller in the night sky.