"Cassius!"
Seeing him standing at the edge of the pool, holding a glass of wine and about to jump in, Nevaeh rushed over without thinking, shouting his name.
Hearing her voice, Cassius turned just in time to see her lunging toward him.
Instinctively, he stepped aside.
Nevaeh missed him completely.
With a loud splash, she fell into the water.
Inside the pool, she flailed desperately, struggling to keep her head above the surface.
She couldn't swim. After swallowing mouthfuls of water, panic took over.
"Help me…" Nevaeh choked out, fighting against the pull of the water.
But Cassius simply turned away.
With calm movements, he set his wine glass down before lowering himself back into his wheelchair.
She had jumped in on her own.
That was her choice, not his.
Yet, as the splashing sounds grew weaker and finally fell silent, her image flashed in his mind.
His jaw tightened, and he muttered under his breath, "Idiot."
She couldn't swim, and still, she tried to save him.
