WATER SPLASH:MERMAID ADVENTURE

CH

smile. "Not only are we marking the day after Velmara Independence anniversary, but also the awardi

pride evident in his voice. "This contract secures our role as the primary handler of freight operations at t

ng room adorned with blue and gold decorations subtly echoing the national colors. The aroma of roasted lamb and freshly baked bread filled the air, while soft cl

beneath the cloth. Unlike the others, she was far from hap

ily hold dinner w

e embodiment of arrogance, controlling, selfish and manipulative. Status

there w

ee-too carefree. Handsome, yes, but his charm only deepened Annalise's irritation. Th

ing. Yet beneath that smug exterior, Annalise sensed something else. It was a flicker of insecurity, a boy shaped by a fractured fa

reading a novel, or simply enjoying the quiet, rather than sitting here wasting time in the presence of the one person who had been a thorn in her side since childh

ersity o

in the world, he h

ing on her nerves, always finding ways to irritate her just for his amusement. Now, with them both at the same un

the floor. The conversation at the table briefly paused, her parents casting her

rode toward the kitchen, her chest ti

thoughts, a familiar, smug

up her facial muscl

ire bod

s standing behind her with that infuriatingly confident smirk, hands casually tucked in

ion hardene

pleased. Not i

nalise asked, her tone

s arms over his chest as he regarded her w

s. "I think it would be

s. "Let you be?" he echoed, tilting his head

lightly. She was already angry about his presence in her

said with a shrug. "But now that we've both been admitted to the same un

ft his lips, Annalise'

He was playing dirty, poking at an o

y her middle name.

when he saw her reactio

hat you're trying to do," she said through gritted teeth. "Whatever it is tha

yes, neither

g off of her in waves. And he enjoyed it. He relished the challenge, the inte

w and taunting. "You two were practically inseparable, from what I remember." He ta

ing hitched, but

school, with each new episode more dramatic than the last. My personal favorite? The one about

entire world shatt

lently she thought she might explode. The rage consumed her, burned thro

her word, before he could continue his

y, followed by the deafening ro

ic

palm meeting his cheek

tumbling, his vision spinning for

g and falling with heavy breaths. Sh

urning cheek. Slowly, he turned to look at her, and for th

nderesti

t

he

Garcia was not t

the floor, followed by hurried footsteps. Ann

e room fe

her ribs. Once inside her room, she shut the door and leaned against it, struggling to catch h

thickened, and within moments, heavy raindrops be

d received it," she

her ears, burning her with rage and humiliation. She clenched her fists, trying to suppress the mixture of ange

to bring up Skye? Why now? She had worked so hard to bury the memories, to move past them. But Zayan, in

as still trying to recover from whatev

. Garcia finally asked, co

," Zayan replied weakly,

logize for my daughter's behavi

se should be apologizing, Benjamin, not you! Ho

responded, his voice laced with disappointment. "Annal

er sharp gaze on Zay

e in his cheek. "Well, I simply told her th

uth is that?

person in the right position to tell you. Bu

ave to get going. Benjamin, I think you should talk to your daughter. I can't hide

ward the door, Zayan fo

his hands clenched at his sides. He was a man of peace. He despised conflict and anything tha

s precisely why his mother had divorced his father and left the city, and her o

Annalise had f

her temples. "I can't believe this hap

. He turned to his wife. "Katherina, let's not pretend we don'

the rain-soaked streets. His grip on the st

urself today," he m

f the window with a faraway look

f everyone. A weakling, that's what you

t the way she did. It wasn't just the slap, it was the fire in her eyes, the intensity of her

ndrops racing down the car window. "She thinks she won

sed his son, spoiling him, encouraging his entitled behavior, and turning him into a mirror

yan is used to saying and doing whatever he wants without consequenc

ess, she shouldn't have let her anger control

lly put Zayan in his place. Though she didn't voice it a

Kelvin was brash, selfish, and quick-tempered, Katherina was the exact opposite. She was kind-hearted, graceful, and effort

kson lineage. It was a family trait that never faded, passed down through generations like an

e was a woman of poise, respect, and integrity. Above all, she was a devoted mother, one who, at

ed sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Kelvin indirectly told us we didn't raise our daughter well. Who does he think he is? He should focus on that ill-mannered

ouble; that boy brings trouble wherever he goes. He thrives on conflict, and I don't want our daughter c

ble things. The law says to ask, and you shall receive. He dese

g curly blond hair framing her thoughtful blue eyes. She was known for liste

l think Zayan's the coolest," she muttered, shooting a defiant look at her parents. Mischievous and bold

when she glanced toward the door Annalise had disappeare

d we talk to her?" Mr. Garcia a

t her be for tonight. Tomorrow, w

r to her reading table. Sitting down, she pulled open her drawer and took out her diary. It had a small lock, and the ke

scaped her. But when she turned another page, her expression changed. There, tucked in

ouldn't understand the real reason he had broken up with her. Calling her a distraction never felt like the truth

ever meet again. More importantl

t of it made her chest tighten. A tear slipped from her eye, landing on the picture she hel

u, and I need you. And I'm so pissed at you. I hope you know that. I want to believe you

de her diary, locked it, and returned it to the drawer. She climbed into

ain continued

burned in his chest. He was furious with himself for letting it happen. For not

ched hi

pay. He would m

despite everything, Zayan missed his mother. At the same time, he resented her. She had left him to endure his father's wrath

choice but to bec