Evelyn Ross's eyes snapped open.

Grace Nan's pale face was inches from hers.

In the rippling water, her features looked fragile, as if they might shatter at a touch.

They couldn't speak.

But the determination in Grace's eyes was unmistakable.

Evelyn suddenly understood.

Grace had surfaced earlier to catch her breath.

Now she was trying to drag them both upward.

But Grace was too frail.

Swimming with another person was impossible.

Evelyn gave her a faint smile.

It was enough that her sister had come back for her.

She gestured weakly in the water. Leave me. Save yourself.

Grace shook her head.

Her bloodied finger pointed upward. Together!

Evelyn's eyes burned.

She wanted to gesture again, but her body had no strength left.

Escaping the sinking ship had drained her completely.

She could only watch as Grace stubbornly pulled her, inching them toward the surface.

Splash.

They broke through the water.

Evelyn gasped for air, but her body kept sinking.

Her consciousness faded.

Nothing but endless ocean surrounded them. No shore in sight.

Tossed by the waves, she knew they were far from San Francisco.

Weakness and anemia blurred her vision.

A ringing filled her ears, drowned out by the sound of water.

"Evelyn, hold on! Don't fall asleep!"

Grace's voice reached her in fragments.

"It's my fault... I shouldn't have come to see you... I led them here..."

Sobs mixed with ragged breaths.

"You can't die! I won't let you die!"

Evelyn felt Grace's strength fading.

When she was pushed above the waves again, she heard Grace cry out. "Look! A plank! We're saved!"

Evelyn couldn't see anything.

Everything was dark.

A sliver of reason kept her aware.

She felt Grace trying repeatedly to push her onto the wooden plank.

She wanted to tell Grace to save herself, but no sound came out.

She tried to push her away, but couldn't move a finger.

Grace didn't give up.

Attempt after attempt. The plank kept sliding away.

After what felt like an eternity, Evelyn was finally heaved onto the plank.

She floated on the surface.

She turned her head and saw the relief on Grace's face.

She wanted to pull Grace up, but couldn't move.

Grace sighed, exhausted, with no strength left to climb aboard.

A flash of sorrow crossed her eyes.

"Take care of Chloe for me..."

Those were her only words before she sank beneath the waves.

Sister!!

Evelyn screamed inside, powerless to struggle.

Darkness swallowed her.

A single tear traced her cheek.

…

So cold.

Evelyn felt herself sinking endlessly.

Suffocation enveloped her.

In her haze, she thought she heard voices.

Indistinct.

She didn't know how much time had passed when her eyes flew open.

One moment she was floating at sea. Now she lay in a soft bed.

As if no time had passed at all.

Evelyn frowned, studying the room.

Rustic style. Floral duvet. Bright and tidy.

She turned her head and saw a little girl lying beside her.

The girl stirred, opening her eyes.

She saw Evelyn and burst into tears. "Mommy's awake! Mommy didn't die! Didn't leave Chloe!"

Chloe…

Grace's daughter?

As Evelyn froze, the little girl scrambled barefoot off the bed.

She soon returned with a cup of water. "Mommy drink. Then won't leave Chloe."

Her baby voice made Evelyn's heart sink.

She flexed her fingers. Strength was returning.

She sat up slowly, looking around.

Was this Grace's home?

They thought she was Grace?

"Chloe, how long have I been sleeping?"

"Mommy slept two days... Almost died in pool. Nice uncle took to hospital. Daddy said not dying, come home..."

Pool?

Nice uncle…

Evelyn looked at the back of her hand. An IV mark.

Someone had replenished her iron in time?

She remembered a boat approaching after she was pushed onto the plank…

She was saved. But what about Grace?

She looked for a phone to contact San Francisco…

The door suddenly swung open.

A man in his mid-twenties walked in.

He had delicate features, with a mocking, disdainful look.

Chloe hid behind Evelyn, whispering, "Daddy."

Grace's husband?

Evelyn was about to explain when the man sneered. "Good, you're awake. Get ready. We're leaving immediately."

Evelyn frowned.

Chloe said softly, "Mommy sick. Uncle said need rest…"

The mansneered. "But she's not dead, is she?"

He called outside. "Mom, come help her pack!"

A middle-aged woman grumbled as she entered. "Nuisance! No hands of her own?"

Grace's mother-in-law.

She said to the man, "Zack, you spoil her too much!"

Zack Davis smiled. "Mom, we're in a hurry. Don't waste time."

"Where to, so urgent?"

"Just heard Alexander Vance's wife from San Francisco passed away. Attending the funeral. Chance to meet some big shots."

Evelyn was about to speak when her pupils contracted.

She stared at Zack in disbelief. "Who did you say?!"

The Mrs. Vance… wasn't that her?

Unless…

Had her sister died?!