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."