Chapter 2

"Is this the 'legend' you brought me?" Victor Hayes looks at Blake with utter disgust.

He sneers at me. "You're the top diver? Pathetic."

He shoves his phone in my face. "Not enough cash? I'll wire half a million right now! Just save my son!"

The room goes quiet.

I don't move. I just stare at the shiny gold medal on his coat.

Ten years. He still wears the award he bought with Lilly's life.

Victor smiles like a snake. "Jealous? I earned this. Ten years ago, my wife and I jumped into black water without blinking."

He glares at me. "Unlike you. You greedy trash."

I look him in the eye. "Did you save her?"

Victor stammers. "What?"

"The girl. Ten years ago. Did you save her?"

His mouth opens and closes. "In conditions like that, nobody can—"

"So you failed," I laugh coldly. "You jumped in without blinking and you still failed. What makes you think throwing money at me changes anything?"

"I don't dive unless I know what I'm doing. And I don't give families fake hope."

He grabs my collar hard. His knuckles are white. Up close, I can smell expensive cologne and sweat.

"At least I tried! You won't even wet your feet! Coward!"

The divers start whispering.

"He's right. Mr. Hayes risked his life back then."

"Cora is just a cold, greedy bitch."

Their words sting, but I don't care. I've heard worse. I've said worse to myself.

Suddenly, a woman runs in. Her hair is a wreck, her makeup ruined by tears.

Elena.

My hands ball into fists. My nails cut into my palms.

She looks older. Thinner. The years have been kinder to her than she deserves.

She shoves Victor aside and drops to her knees right in front of me.

"Please!" she sobs, grabbing my pants. "He's only ten! He's scared of the dark! Please dive! I'll do anything!"

I take a breath. The hatred burns inside me like acid.

Ten years ago, she looked me in the eye. She held my face in her hands and said, "I'll bring her back, Cora. I promise."

Now she's on her knees begging me.

Good.

"Fine," I say softly. "I'll go to the site with you."

Elena gasps, crying out, "Thank you! Thank you, Ms... Vance?" She stops, staring at me.

I watch the color drain from her face.

"Don't get happy," I cut her off. "I said I'll go to the site. I never said I'm jumping in."