Chapter 74

Chapter 74

"Seriously?" Camila looked down. "If it were me, I wouldn't have even come near you."

Albert's body went rigid, his hand clenching into a fist at his side.

The air in the shelter seemed to drop a few degrees, the green emergency light casting a ghostly glow on their faces.

After what felt like forever, Albert finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper, with a slight tremor. "Camila, did you mean what you said earlier?"

"Which part?" Camila looked up at him, her eyes now calm and serious, the earlier amusement gone.

"You said," Albert took a deep breath, like he was gathering all his courage, his knuckles turning white, "that you never liked me."

So, he was still stuck on that.

Camila looked at him, thought for a moment, and softly said, "I've got so much on my plate, so many things to plan for and worry about. I just don't have the time or energy to think about love."

Albert's eyes lit up for a second, but just as he was about to say something, Camila suddenly swayed and collapsed to the side. Her eyelids felt like they were glued shut, and her vision blurred.

Albert's face swam in front of her, his voice sounding distant, like it was coming from underwater.

"Camila, don't fall asleep."

She tried to open her eyes, but the exhaustion in her body surged like a tidal wave, overwhelming her. 

She could feel Albert propping her up against the wall, hear his anxious calls, but her consciousness slipped away, plunging her into darkness.

She had no idea how much time had passed when a loud "bang" jolted her awake. Camila felt herself being lifted.

Someone seemed to be pulling her, making her float upwards.

In a daze, Camila reluctantly opened her eyes and saw a man in a white shirt, the top two buttons undone, the wet fabric clinging to his body, outlining his tall frame.

His hair was plastered to his forehead, revealing a broad brow, and he wore a black mechanical watch on his wrist. Even in the dim seawater, the watch face gleamed clearly.

"Clifford, is that you?"

She never expected him to show up.

Surrounded by the vast ocean, it seemed like there was no hope of survival.

Camila suddenly opened her eyes, the smell of disinfectant filling her nose, the panic in her heart gradually receding like the tide.

Memories flooded back. Thankfully, it wasn't a dream; she had really been rescued...

"Camila, you're finally awake." 

Fiona's voice was choked with tears, and the next second, she threw herself onto Camila. 

"You scared me to death. You said there was an escape route on the other side, but you lied. I thought you were going down with that cruise ship."

Fiona lightly punched Camila, the force barely more than a tickle.

Willie, standing nearby, couldn't take it any longer and gently pulled Fiona's arm. "Fiona, calm down. Camila just woke up; she needs to rest."

Fiona let go, her eyes red as she glared at Camila, but still tucked the blanket around her. "If you ever lie to me again, I won't let you off the hook."

Camila nodded quickly, suddenly remembering something, and asked urgently, "Is Clifford okay? I remember him swimming towards me. Was that just my imagination?"

Fiona hesitated, her tone dropping, her eyes evasive. "He's here, but you have to wait a bit to see him."

"Why?"

A bad feeling crept over Camila. She struggled to get out of bed, throwing off the covers. "I need to see him now."

"Don't rush!" Fiona tried to stop her but failed. Camila's bare feet hit the cold floor, and she had just reached the door when she saw a familiar figure.

Clifford, also in hospital clothes, was standing by the window in the hallway, talking on the phone. The sunlight fell on him but didn't dispel the chill around him.

"He's on the phone. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Fiona followed, exasperated, but seeing the two of them, she quietly returned to the room.

Now, it was just the two of them.

Hearing footsteps, Clifford turned and saw Camila. His eyes paused. "You're awake?"

Camila nodded, her fingers clutching the edge of her hospital gown. "Just woke up."

"Good." Clifford turned away, not saying another word, and walked past her.

That's it?

Camila was stunned.

He had rushed to save her, and now, seeing her, he wouldn't even say a word?

Instinctively, she followed Clifford, noticing a dark stain on the back of his coat. As she got closer, she realized it was blood.

His back was injured, bandaged.

"You're... hurt?"

Camila's voice turned urgent, quickening her pace, guilt washing over her. "I owe you one for this. If you ever need anything, I'll help."

"By the way," Camila remembered Albert and asked, "I didn't get a chance to ask, is Albert okay? Did you save him too?"

Clifford suddenly turned, his calm demeanor gone, his tone sharp. "You dare ask me about that idiot?"

"If I hadn't been worried you'd panic if you woke up and couldn't find him, I'd have let that bastard sink to the bottom of the ocean to feed the sharks."

He stepped closer, closing the distance between them, the scent of cedar on him. "Camila, tell me, who matters more to you, me or him?"

His cold facade lasted barely three seconds. Camila almost laughed but cleared her throat. "Of course, I matter most to myself."

Clifford was taken aback, then realized she was teasing. His tense body relaxed, his ears turning slightly red, his tone softening. "I think so too."

He stepped back, regaining his usual composure, but couldn't help but add, "Don't worry, that guy's not dead. The Garcia family sent people over. They took him yesterday. I heard he's more injured than you and is in the hospital next door."

Camila sighed in relief. As long as he was okay.

They walked slowly along the hospital garden path, sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Clifford spoke first, his tone calm. "Can you tell me what happened on the cruise?"

Camila stopped, frowning. "I'm not sure. Everything happened so fast. Albert and I were forced into the game room, then we heard gunshots, and the ship started taking on water."