ILANA

“What do you come here for? You have owned what you desired.” I took a breath in and out for a moment. “Congratulations on your wedding, by the way.” I initiated the conversation when we had stood on one side of the dock. There was a long dock connecting the cottages to the sea. Even from this place where I was settling at the moment, I could view coral reefs under the crystal clear blue water. The coconut trees with their waving leaves lined up, not far from here.

“I wish I could.” I turned to her with a wondering face. “I lied to you. I tried to manipulate...