Tedmond gripped the edge of the surfboard, his expression calm, but his mind was already at work. He wasn’t just going to surf against them—he was going to play with them. Break down their arrogance piece by piece until they had no choice but to choke on their own mockery.And maybe, just maybe, he could enjoy himself a little too. It had been a long time since he’d last surfed. He wondered if his old skills would return or if he’d stumble. He honestly didn’t know.His movements were slow, deliberate. He hooked his sunglasses onto the waistband of his shorts, then peeled off his shirt in one smooth motion. His torso was broad and cut with lean muscle, the kind that spoke of strength without ever needing to flaunt it. He tossed the shirt onto the sand, leaving only his shorts clinging to his hips.Neil blinked once, then twice, his grin widening as if this was about to become the best show of his life. “Finally,” he muttered under his breath.The three men faltered for just a moment,

Hearing Tedmond’s calm response, Derek’s frown deepened. He had thought bragging about getting the ladies’ attention would unsettle Tedmond, make him jealous or pissed. But nothing happened.Instead, Tedmond kept his focus on the waves, silent, steady, and completely unaffected.‘I’ll crush that confidence out of him,’ Derek thought bitterly. ‘By the time I’m done, he’ll regret ever looking at me like that.’Tedmond tilted his head slightly, confused by the fierce determination burning in Derek’s eyes. The intensity was unsettling, but he didn’t dwell on it. He turned back toward the water.With smooth, powerful strokes, Tedmond paddled out. The crowd leaned in, anticipation buzzing in the air. Derek mirrored him, muscles tense, his usual grin stretched across his handsome face, but beneath it, a flicker of doubt showed.Low murmurs rippled through the spectators.“Is he really not bothered by Derek at all?”“He’s acting like the whole thing doesn’t matter…”“That’s scary calm.”The w

“What are you going to do now?” Nika asked as soon as Lisa stepped out of the room.Lisa’s gaze shifted toward her. For a moment, her eyes lingered, narrowing slightly as if searching for something unspoken. Then her brows drew together, and a faint frown tugged at her lips.She sighed, low and heavy, but said nothing. Without explanation, she turned away, her footsteps soft against the sand as she walked toward the refreshment table.Nika blinked, puzzled. ‘What was that about? Did I do something?’Lisa didn’t look back. She simply reached for the jug, poured herself a glass of water, and raised it to her lips with quiet focus, as though drinking was easier than addressing whatever weighed on her mind.The silence pressed heavier than words.Nika’s eyes followed her, the tension biting deeper—until the memory struck. The argument. The slammed door. The days of silence that followed.Lisa hadn’t spoken to her since. She hadn’t even allowed herself to be seen except when Nika wasn’t ho

Lisa couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She had tried her very best to hide from them, and now the first person she bumped into was none other than Otis. She was certain he would tell everyone she had been to the hospital, since he had recognized her at first glance.Despite all the makeup she had put on, it hadn’t been enough—she hadn’t expected anyone to recognize her that quickly. She had to act, and she had to do it fast.Before she could think of anything to say, Otis spoke up.“Are you Lisa?”A slight frown appeared on Lisa’s face as she scrambled for words, but before she could answer, Nika reacted. Stepping forward, she yanked Lisa out of Otis’s hand and shoved her behind her, glaring at him.“Who the heck is Lisa?” she demanded, her voice sharp and protective.Lisa froze, caught between panic and surprise, as Otis raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.Lisa blinked, realizing Nika had just given her a chance to break free of her panic. Seizing the moment, she grabbed her wi

The more Lisa watched Nika and Evelyn unleash their fury, the heavier the guilt pressed on her chest. She swallowed hard, desperate to find some way to ease it.‘Maybe… if Evelyn hasn’t eaten anything, I could offer her something. At least do one thing right.’Summoning her courage, she stepped closer. Evelyn looked up, noticing Lisa’s trembling hands and downcast eyes, and gave a small, understanding nod.“You… haven’t eaten anything yet, have you?” Lisa asked softly, her voice still quivering.Evelyn shook her head, frowning slightly. “No… I haven’t had the chance. Honestly, I don’t feel like eating right now.”Lisa’s trembling form caught her attention, the way her hands quivered, her lips pressed together as if holding back a flood of emotion. Evelyn’s expression softened. After a brief pause, she nodded.“Alright… if you insist. We’ll eat something. It’ll do us good.”Nika quickly nodded, grateful Evelyn had agreed. Lisa felt a flicker of relief and silently fell into step beside