Page 71 of Obsession (Dark Revenge)
“I-I will stay…”
“You’re cold and you’re tired. Just get out.”
“No.”
“Woman, you’re the most stubborn person on this planet!” he growled, running a hand through his hair.
“I-I thought th-that was the o-only thing you liked a-about me. I-I don’t a-admit defeat,” I reminded him, and for a moment, Jared simply gazed at me as the silence lingered. Yet, my arms grew tired once more, and my legs ceased their kicking.
I slipped beneath the water, and this time, it took a little longer before I emerged back to the surface.
"Alison, please come to the edge, and I will pull you out." His voice held a hint of pleading, but my fatigue made it hard to concentrate on his words.
I shook my head, stubbornly holding onto whatever I was waiting for, but I was uncertain about what that even was. I only knew that I couldn't bring myself closer to him, aware of what might happen if I did.
"Alison!" His calls grew more urgent.
I closed my eyes, leaned back slightly, and let the water carry me on its surface. The wind's touch still disturbed the water occasionally, causing it to slide over my face and nose, making me cough.
"Alison! Alison!" His voice echoed through the water, but I lacked the strength for much else.
Then, after a moment of floating, the intensity of his calls seemed to cut through the water in a different way, and I lifted my head. I focused on him, seeing Jared crouched by the pool's edge, his eyes filled with almost terrified concern.
“You win,” he conceded. I frowned, confused by his statement.
“If you come to me so I can pull you out, you win. I won’t end the contract, but I won’t add 24 hours either. Just come to me,” he insisted.
“Y-You won’t a-add more days?”
“No, I won’t.”
I narrowed my eyes, not trusting him.
“I swear.”
“W-We don’t t-trust each other,” I reminded him.
“Alison, I can’t get in the water.”
“T-Then find someone w-who can. Why h-haven’t you?”
“It wouldn’t count. It’s me who needs to catch you,” he reminded me.
“A-Ah, so h-he plays b-by the rules.”
“Yes, I do. I told you. Now get over here.”
I allowed my head to sink back into the water, finding it increasingly challenging to maintain focus. However, Jared's voice pierced through the water once more, jolting me back to reality. I shifted slightly in the water, aware that I couldn't continue like this. I had to get out. I swam slowly toward Jared, and as he extended his hand, I regarded it skeptically, still maintaining my distance.
"I won't punish you either," he reassured me.
"I-I'm free by the end of next week," I stated.
"Yes, you're free."
I knew he had the power to add those 24 hours or subject me to further punishment until my back burned, but I had reached my breaking point. Drowning seemed inevitable if I didn't escape this pool. Therefore, I reached out, clutching Jared's hand as he effortlessly lifted me out of the cool water. Droplets splattered around me, hitting the harsh ground below. I coughed, leaning forward and allowing myself to descend to the ground because my legs were trembling. I hadn't realized just how exhausted I was until I was back on dry land.
Jared released his hold on me, but I could sense his imposing presence hovering above, akin to an eagle poised to strike. It remained uncertain whether he would keep his word or if he intended to punish me for turning his fear against him. I hadn't known he couldn't swim or had a fear of water. For a moment, I contemplated using this information to my advantage, but swiftly dismissed the thought. It was better for the war to end once I returned home—no more games, no more torture, just peace.
