She  laughed once more before throwing herself into the pool. She wasn’t bluffing when she said she’d do it.

Fred’s eyes widened in shock, caught completely off guard by her impulsive act.

“Bethany!” he shouted, racing toward the pool. Without hesitation, he dived in, swimming toward her with desperate strokes.

“Fred, don’t! She wants to die!” Chantel screamed, her voice trembling with urgency.

Fred ignored Chantel’s plea, dragging a soaked and trembling Bethany out of the water. Holding her in his arms, he carried her to the edge, his clothes drenched. Bethany dangled weakly in his grasp, coughing and shivering.

As they stopped in front of Chantel, Bethany whimpered, her...