My Birthday, My Downfall novel Chapter 80

A smile spread across Lauren's lips, and when she looked at me, her eyes sparkled with confidence, as if victory was already hers.

I remained indifferent and didn't take her words to heart.

Two days later, Marco and Hank's friends coordinated the plans to set up the perfect confession scene.

They all believed that people show their true feelings in moments of crisis.

So, they arranged for everyone to go to a mountain creek for a rafting adventure.

When we arrived, I, not knowing how to swim, intended to decline, but Lauren pulled me onto the raft with her.

Lauren, afraid of the water, clung tightly to Hank.

Marco caught on quickly, giving them space by moving to sit next to me.

As the raft began drifting along the creek, Lauren was so terrified that she practically threw herself onto Hank.

Hank didn't push her away. Instead, he gently patted her back to comfort her. "Don't be scared. I'm here," he said softly, his voice impossibly tender, like a parent soothing a frightened child.

For a moment, I was reminded of our early days after getting married in my previous life.

Back then, I was full of hope for our marriage. I took care of every little thing in the house, wanting to make it a warm, welcoming home for him.

But one night, when he was drunk and I went to pick him up, I overheard him venting to Lauren.

In a slurred voice, he said, "I feel like I didn't marry a wife, but a nagging housekeeper. She has to meddle in everything and never stops talking. I don't even want to go back to that house anymore."

"You're different," he continued, his tone full of admiration. "You know how to maintain the right distance. You never make me feel annoyed."

At that moment, a raft behind us lost control and came crashing toward ours, snapping me out of my thoughts.

But it was already too late. The impact was severe, and our raft shook violently.

I reached out to steady Marco, but before I could react, someone grabbed my arm.

Before I knew it, I was yanked off balance and fell into the creek with a loud splash.

Water surged into my throat, and I struggled desperately as the current pulled me under.

In the haze, I saw Hank leaping into the water from the raft.