Chapter 89
Chapter 89
After Amber signed up for the nest round , Sienna gently placed her hand on Amber’s head and said shly . “ If you don’t like it , you don’t have to pin . There are other games we can try ”
Amber pouted and swatted Sienna’s hand off her head .
Her hand wasn’t warm . In fact , it was cool . Yet her touch was so gentle , her fingers running through Amber’s hair in a way that sent waves of comfort through her , lifting her spirits ,
But the race was about to start , Amber reluctantly pulled her hand away .
“ Who says I don’t like it stopher .
it ? I’m going . You two just wait for me at the finish line .” With that , she dashed off toward the starting area before anyone could
Lana was gradually getting to know Amber’s personality . She never said what she really felt , was proud , and a bit stubborn , with just a hint of an adorable tempor .
The two walked over to the finish line , a short course where each round of the race took under ten minutes .
Amber tensed for a moment at the sight of the moving water in front of her . Then she quickly clenched her fists and locked her eyes on the Bartholomew Bear waiting at the finish line .
“ It’s just a Bartholomew Bear , isn’t it ? ” Amber wondered , “ Piece of cake . It’s not like Sienna actually likes it . I just think paddle boating is fun , and I’m going to be the champion .
Taking a deep breath , Amber stepped onto the paddle boat , her fingers gripping the sides tightly .
“ On your marks , get set , go ” At the signal , the paddle boats surged forward .
Amber strained to paddle , forcing herself to move faster and faster.
The cheering crowd roared around her , yet with each stroke of the paddle , Amber felt a needle – like pang in her chest . Dread coiled around her heart as her face gradually paled .
When Amber glanced up and saw Sienna waiting at the finish line, she gritted her teeth and forced herself to paddle even faster .
“ Nothing to be afraid of , Amber told herself
Just as Amber was nearing the finish line , her paddle boat was suddenly rammed and capsized . She plunged into the water .
The terrifying sensation of suffocation gripped her whole body as water rushed into her mouth , stung her eyes , and filled h
her mase .
She was drowning .
Driven by terror , Amber thrashed wildly in the water . It was barely deep enough to reach her shoulders . She could have just stood up and been sale . But no matter how hard she tried , her body simply wouldn’t obey
Just as Amber was about to lose consciousness , her mouth opening helplessly , an arm suddenly wrapped around her waist and yanked her up from the water’s depths .
Sienna patted her back firmly before pulling her into a tight embrace . “ Amber ? ” she called urgently , her voice tight with worry
Upon hearing Sienna’s voice , Amber’s long lashes fluttered faintly before her eyes slowly opened .
“ Sis ,” Amber choked out , throwing herself into Sienna’s arms as her whole body trembled uncontrollably .
Sienna’s heart twisted with bitter guilt as she realized Amber was terrified of water
“ How could I not know ? Sienna wondered . Guilt washed over her like rising water , submerging her whole being i
in its suffecating embrace .
Chapter 89
“ Don’t be afraid , I’ve got you . ” Sienna lifted Amber up in her arms , holding her close .
As Amber caught that familiar scent , her fear slowly faded away . She opened her eyes and gazed up at Sienna .
Amber could feel Sienna’s steatly heartbeat against her chest , each strong , rhythmic pulse gradually easing away the East traces of her pant
Amber just sat there in a daze until Sienna gently settled her onto a chair and asked with concern .
Sienna leaned in , her voice full of concern . “ Amber , are you hurt anywhere ? ”
Amber snapped out of it , a little embarrassed , and shook her head , “ Did I just call her Sis ? With all that noise , she shouldn’t have heard me , right ? she wondered , ‘ She couldn’t have heard that .’
Sometimes , Amber felt so tangled up inside . She was a
was a mess of contradictions , and she didn’t even make sense
inse to herself
She kind of wanted Sienna to hear her , but at the same time , she really hoped she hadn’t .
Her conflicting emotions were all tangled up inside her , like a ball of thread she just couldn’t unravel .
“ I’m fine ,” Amber murmured .
Sienna pinched Amber’s check , her voice laced with urgent concern . “ You’re afraid of water . Why didn’t you tell me ? And why did you still insist on joining that paddle boat race ? ”
Amber pouted , her eyes reddening and nose
tingling with unshed tears .
When Sienna saw Lana returning with the Bartholomew Bear , it all clicked . A dull ache weighed on her chest , and a lump formed in her throat .
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