Chapter One: Asking the Sea to Erase It All.

Chapter One: Asking the Sea to Erase It All.

The sea shimmered in the wind, with distant twinkling lights on the horizon. In November, a chill breeze made Anna's body stiffen, and she looked up at the sky with tears streaming down her face. Did this life still hold any meaning? Or should she just die? Was there any other choice in this dark existence?

The pitch-black night blended with the crashing waves, and Anna hated herself for not having the courage to continue a life burdened by debts, and for not having the courage to drown herself in the sea.

Her father was despicable, but her mentally unstable mother was innocent.

Countless questions and answers intertwined in Anna's mind, making her breath increasingly difficult.

Her innocent mother, but Anna did not have the strength to take care of her, feeling filial piety but powerless in this dark reality.

Her steps were heavy as she walked on the sand, the cold sea water invading her heart with pain, making it hard for Anna to breathe. She whispered, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Mom, I'm sorry to everyone."

The sea water rose to her waist, enveloping her long legs and tiny waist with its icy coldness. Anna had made up her mind, she didn't want to live anymore. She entrusted her body to the vast ocean, giving herself an ending of struggle and grief, and then everything would be wiped clean, and she would no longer exist in this world, and everything would be fine.

Anna placed her hand on the surface of the sea, soothing the ocean, soothing herself. This was the last time she could smile, cry, remember her mother, and breathe the crisp, cold air. This would be the last time...forever.

There were footsteps running on the sand and shouts, but Anna couldn't hear them.

"Stop, don't be reckless."

The shouts kept coming, sometimes closer, sometimes farther, blending with the sea breeze. Anna turned around and saw a blurry figure, and she smiled. At least for the last time, before her eyes closed for good, she could still see a stranger.

Anna slowly walked deeper into the ocean, immersing herself in the vastness of the sea. Her breath became more difficult, as the salty seawater rushed into her mouth, and her chest tightened, her limbs weakly flailing. She felt her chest crack with painful cracks, and memories of her unhappy childhood with a mentally unstable mother flooded her mind. Then she saw herself running away from debt collectors, being beaten mercilessly, memories swirling, gradually fading. Anna smiled.

Farewell.

Farewell to the pain, both mental and physical.

Just as she lost consciousness completely, a strong arm embraced her and lifted her above the water. Deep, sharp eyes filled with unspoken anger looked down at her.

Celine struggled to bring the girl into his embrace on the shore, laying her down and performing CPR for drowning victims. It was a while later when he felt that he couldn't save her that Anna coughed up water, her face contorted in pain as she breathed.

Anna's eyes slowly opened, and the first thing she saw was the man kneeling on the sand, his hands supporting his cold and indifferent face, his breath ragged. At the moment, the two of them looked somewhat alike.

"You're okay now."

The man's deep and warm voice poured into Anna's ears, and she nodded slightly, unable to lift her limbs, only managing to curl her lips.

Celine stood up, his body covered in sand, his temper rising uncomfortably. He spoke with a calm tone, tinged with patience. "I'll take you to the hospital for a check-up."

He was about to bend down, but Anna shook her head weakly, saying, "Don't take me to the hospital."

Today was a terrible day for Celine. He wanted to take a walk by the sea to ease his mood, but unexpectedly encountered a woman crying and laughing at the same time. Although he usually didn't care, he couldn't ignore someone who was rejecting their own life.

"Helping her up is enough, I think, but seeing her like this stirs up pity in my heart. Sometimes, weak people need someone by their side, a gentle gesture and soft words, not interrogation and neglect.

And my mother... also drowned herself in the depths of the ocean.

It's easy to choose death, but what about those who stay? Has anyone ever thought about that?

Celine tightly holds Anna's hands, helps her into his car, and settles her in the passenger seat, buckling her seatbelt. Anna watches his every move, wondering why her icy heart is slowly warming up.

During the drive, Celine doesn't talk. The car stops in front of a spacious and clean hotel, the bright lights illuminating the road ahead. He finally speaks, "Rest for a night and think carefully before making a decision tomorrow."

Anna closes her eyes, thinking about the scenario where even death is not granted, then how to live? She sighs heavily, and tomorrow the sun will rise, but she will still be in darkness like this.

Celine initially wanted to book two rooms, but after careful consideration, he decides to book only one room, fearing that Anna might have negative thoughts. He needs to give her a night to think cautiously. He carries Anna to the room, puts her in the bathtub filled with hot water, and politely leaves, saying, "Soak for a while, you'll be fine. I'll wait outside, and if you need anything, I'll call room service to take care of you."

Anna soaks her body in the hot water, regaining some strength. She speaks softly, "Thank you."

Celine doesn't reply, he leans against the wall, his wet hair now dry and stiff, his whole body feeling uncomfortable and sticky. He looks down at his shoes, gritting his teeth with patience.

Anna looks around, puts on a bathrobe, her hands wrinkled from soaking in water for too long. She ties the robe tightly around her waist, carefully opens the door, and Celine, who had closed his eyes, immediately opens them. Their eyes meet, and Anna looks at him, stuttering, "You... go take a bath."

Celine nodded as she waited for Anna to come out, and he stepped in as soon as she exited. Before he closed the bathroom door, he said, "You can sleep on the bed."

Then came the sound of the bathroom door locking. Anna didn't think much, she got on the bed and looked at the ceiling, then glanced at the closed bathroom door with faint sounds of running water. She curled up anxiously, taking a deep breath. Sharing a room with a stranger of the opposite sex was something she questioned and needed to think about.

Anna slept restlessly, tossing and turning, her hands clinging tightly to the bedsheet, her legs tightly drawn. Celine walked out, his body still carrying the moisture, his bathrobe revealing a broad and firm chest, his wet hair slowly sliding down his face, then down to his broad chest. He glanced briefly at Anna, then reached out to turn off the bedside lamp, walked to the main door and turned off the lights. He also needed to sleep, as he was exhausted today. Celine lay on the sofa, gradually falling asleep.

Anna didn't sleep well, tossing and turning, her limbs flailing, her mouth mumbling incoherently. Celine was awakened by the discomfort, he rubbed his hair irritably, looked at the clock on his wrist, it was still very dark outside at five in the morning. He got up, brushed his teeth and changed into slightly damp clothes from yesterday, then before leaving, he left a note for Anna on a piece of paper, and after some thought, he also took out some bills and placed them under that note. He placed the bedside lamp in a corner before stepping out.

Perhaps this girl needed help, and he didn't dwell too much on erasing memories of her. Maybe this encounter was just passing by.

Anna's heart skipped half a beat as soon as she saw the money and the note under the bedside lamp.

"Try to live because this life is worth it."

A few simple words made Anna's eyes turn red, she clutched her chest, pouring out all the pent-up emotions with tears streaming down her face. She cried out in pain, tears pouring down, feeling that life had been so unfair to her, too many pains accumulated, and a precious stranger had come to comfort her, saving her wounded soul. She tightly held the money in her hand, crying out in despair.

A new day had begun, and everything would be okay, right?

Anna's house was very poor, with only a small bed that was almost falling apart. The four bed legs could only support one person lying down, and the worn-out mattress sank in some places. Anna lay on that bed, closed her eyes for a moment, and carefully placed her hand on the pocket of her pants where the money from the stranger man was. He had helped her, and Anna hoped to meet him again at least once so that she could sincerely say thank you.

The old wooden door was also not secure, so every time she came home, Anna would use a short iron bar to block the door. She was afraid that someone would suddenly break in, but no matter how careful she was, unavoidable things still happened.

"Open the door."

The sound of the door being forcefully pounded by the palm of a hand came from outside the wooden door.

"Open the door, you dog!" The man's voice was unclear because he was drunk, and his slurred speech began to curse. "I told you, can you hear me? You wretched woman, open the door."

Anna curled up on the bed, her eyes wide open, looking at the banging door with fear. She trembled with her hands, knowing who the man outside the door was. It was the person who had sown misery, poverty, and destitution for her and her mother.

She hoped he would leave, but no, he angrily banged on the door. Anna knew she couldn't escape, because if he kicked the door hard, it would be thrown open.

She took the iron bar used to secure the door and the man outside forcefully pushed the door open without saying a word, then raised his hand and slapped her hard. His voice growled, "You wretched girl, how dare you keep me waiting."

Anna covered her face, not daring to resist. The man was controlled by alcohol with his own strength, and if she resisted, it would be like seeking her own death. She spoke softly, "What brings you here, father?"

Make's face was fierce, and the veins on his forehead bulged. "This is my house. Can you stop me from coming back? I want to sell it."

Hearing the words like a lightning strike by her ear, Anna gritted her teeth and said, "Dad, you can't sell this house."

"Why not? Whether I want to sell it or not is my business, what right do you have? Your mother didn't contribute anything, and neither did you, useless brat."

Anna could endure all the terrible things, but when it came to her mother, she couldn't. It was the most forbidden thing for him to insult her useless mother. Anna's face turned red as she questioned loudly, "What did my mother do wrong? This house was bought by her through hardship. What have you done? Have you fulfilled your responsibilities as a father since I was born? Do you claim this is your house? Do you have any legal documents? Have you contributed a single penny here? You have no right to sell, no right..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she was forcefully grabbed by her delicate and weak neck by a strong force. Hurry's eyes were filled with anger: "Oh, today you dare to argue with me, huh? You're brave, do you believe I can kill you? Your mother's house is mine, understand?"

Anna gasped, "You can kill me, do it..."

It wasn't that he was threatening her, but his fingers were tightening around her neck, and their two red faces were facing each other. Hurry pushed her into the corner of the wall, and Anna's legs gave way. He approached her with one hand gripping her neck and the other grabbing her hair from behind. The pain was unbearable, please let it end. Anna didn't want to live anymore. If he killed her, he would go to jail, and her mother wouldn't have to suffer his torment anymore.

In Anna's mind, there was a desperate plea, begging him to kill her. Kill her!

In fact, Hurry only wanted to intimidate his disobedient daughter who dared to defy him a little, and he didn't intend to harm his own daughter. He felt the faint breath of his daughter under his palm, and slowly released his grip. Anna gasped for breath, tears streaming down her face but without any sound. She hid all this pain in her heart. She didn't dare to resist strongly because he was her father, and despite not being a nurturing father, he was still her father. But...

"Why didn't you kill me? You gave birth to me just to torture me like this? Why didn't you kill me to end it all?"

The girl whispered hopelessly, her sympathy for him rising within her, as he angrily stood up and kicked the nearby chair, falling to the ground without saying a word before leaving.

The house was eerily quiet, and she was all alone, crying on the cold, desolate floor, but her current feelings couldn't compare to Anna's. She hated, she feared, she wanted to escape reality, even death seemed like an option. The idea of suicide haunted her, making her feel like she didn't belong in this world anymore. She thought of a knife, cutting her wrist in one swift motion to end it all.

Thoughts turned into action as she abruptly got up and went to the cramped kitchen. Anna was meticulous, and even though the house was in shambles, she couldn't find a speck of dust, only old but neatly arranged items, no signs of dirt. The knife was placed on the dish rack. Anna took a deep breath, but her hand trembled, she was scared, scared of pain. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to gather courage, but couldn't bring herself to do it. She threw the knife aside and sat down on the floor, hugging herself and sobbing uncontrollably.

She didn't even have the courage to die!

She clutched the wad of money in her pocket tightly against her thigh, thinking of the stranger she had met.

"Life is worth it, life is worth it..."

The words from the note echoed in her mind, and Anna silently decided that before giving up on everything, she would visit her mother and have a nice meal with her and grandma. She had money, she still had money.