His Fatal Mistake, My Sweet Revenge

, the submersible I designed was my

ng-term life support-a CO2 scrubber I in

a," he said. "You can

rgency comms, he broke my w

the hatch, leaving me to di

The man I was supposed to marry would rather I suffoca

d built into my glove. With my last bit of strength, I tore the seam with my teeth and sla

pte

Valen

but with a slow, suffocating hiss. I kn

tal system of the submersible couldn't grant. The cold seeped into my b

rs beneath the surface, i

o crush a battleship into scrap in seconds

console. Hypoxia was setting in, painting

pending death with chilling clarity. It wasn't just the failing life support; it

oprietary CO2 scrubber. It w

nt where it should have been. My

artment

t. No. It could

t. The scrubber was unique, a prototype designed for extended de

raspy, cut through the oppress

he was trying to reassure Jaden Savage. His e

uilty. He l

den." He spoke in his publicist's calm, measured tone, as

"The scrubber, Je

crossing his face. "It's... it

eration I couldn't hide. "The telemetry shows critical oxygen

was huddled, trembling, in the corner, her face a m

The air rushed out of my lungs. I swa

whisper. It felt like the pressure

She's not used to this. She's delicate. You're strong, E

of triumph danced within them. My scrubber, strapped awkw

r was designed for us, Jeffery. For the crew. It's life s

st think, Elaina. Invent something. You always do." He turned back to J

l smile, her eyes still fixed

elief. "She was brought on this expedition for publicity, not for her deep-sea surv

flushing. "She's bringing our work to the world! Without

expedition, it's all my design, my research! I know what's happening. The structural integrity is compromised. We have hours, ma

This is why no one trusts you, Elaina. Always so intense, so obsessed with your work.

h the fog of hypoxia. They were words I' d he

'obsession' is what keeps us alive, Jeffery. It's what built this sub, what designe

u're so lonely, Elaina. You push everyone away with your 'genius.' Jaden, at least, is grateful." H

about a scrubber. This was about years of simmering resentment, of his insecurity f

voice was flat, devoid of em

mbfounded. "What ar

y gaze sweeping over the console, searching fo

renaline momentarily cutting through

on mine, twisting my wrist. A sharp crack echoed in the co

his mission cannot be a failure! My career, m

e a failed mission?" I gasped

panicking. You're unstable. I'll report that. Jaden will back me up. We'll say you

console, its wires tearing with a sickening sn

t it," he warned, his

ck of oxygen, the crushing weight of his b

approached, a slow, predatory smile spreading across her lips

thy. "You're just not strong enough for the deep sea, are yo

was quickly swallowed by the crushing despair

out, a final, desper

s fixed on Jaden, a soft, indulgent smile playing on his li

rapping around her. They were leav

oice was just a whisper, lost in

ina. You're not thinking clearly. Just rest. We'll... we'll send help when

sure your legacy lives on. Jeffery will tell everyone about your brilliant designs." Her hand, cla

My eyes fell on the scrubber in

perate, pathetic attempt to reclaim my life. My

ed out, connecting with my head with a sickening thud. The

d, his face contorted with an

display of fear. "She's try

my prone form. "I knew it. Always the

ess. It was all a swirling vortex. I could ba

his voice distant. "Before

smile. She held up the damaged emergency comms unit, then droppe

r voice sweet and poisonous. "

sumed me was the faint click of the submers