Chapter 21: The Mysterious Paper Boat
336words
Jack drove to a secluded beach—the exact spot where he'd pulled her from the water three years earlier. Moonlight silvered the gentle waves. He carefully lit a small paper lantern, placed it in an intricately folded paper boat, and set it adrift. The tiny vessel, bearing its fragile light, floated slowly out to sea.
Hidden among the dunes, Zoe watched in bewilderment. Jack's expression was solemn, almost reverential, as if performing a sacred ritual.
The next day, she checked Jack's calendar and realized with a jolt that yesterday had been the anniversary of her "death."
"Has he done this before?" she casually asked Jack's assistant.
"Every year on that date," the assistant confirmed. "For three years now. He cancels everything else, no matter how important."
Zoe's heart constricted, unsure what to make of this private ceremony.
A few days later, Michael invited her to tour his new yacht.
"My latest acquisition," Michael boasted. "Cost a fortune. Only five like it in the world."
Zoe stepped onto the deck and froze. Despite the renovations, she recognized it instantly—the same yacht from which she'd been pushed to her "death." The railings, the layout—it all triggered a flood of terror. Her hands began to shake uncontrollably.
"Are you okay?" Michael noticed her sudden pallor.
"Just... a touch of seasickness," she managed, fighting for composure.
At that moment, Jack appeared as if from nowhere. "Zoe, there's an emergency at the office."
He whisked her away from the yacht. In the safety of the car, they sat in understanding silence.
"Thank you," Zoe finally whispered. "I was seconds from falling apart."
Jack took her trembling hand in his, the simple gesture conveying more than words ever could. Zoe rested her head on his shoulder as they drew strength from each other's presence.
Neither of them knew that at that very moment, flames were engulfing a building near Thompson Group headquarters.
