He Gave My Heirloom To His First Love

Alora thought Rafael had spotted her. But his gaze slid right past her, and he carefully tucked the blanket around Tessa, completely unaware she was there.

A bitter, self-mocking smile curved Alora's lips as the truth hit her: the difference between being loved and being ignored was glaring. That kind of clarity made her unwavering devotion feel like one colossal joke. She swore she'd never be that foolish again.

Alora didn't glance back at Rafael—who was gently letting go of Tessa to join the line across the street. She just turned and walked the other way.

Leaving Rafael behind was the start of her pursuit of a dream career in voice acting.

She'd always adored the animated series Rebirth—especially the character, the Deep Sea Siren. When auditions for the role were announced, Alora sent in a recording as instructed. Soon after, she was invited to a studio audition the next day.

From now on, she wanted to shine in the field she loved. She had no desire to look back—or to reclaim any lost love.

The next morning, Alora arrived at the studio for her audition. The Deep Sea Siren was such a coveted role that nearly fifty voice actors showed up to compete. They drew lots to decide the order, and Alora pulled the last spot. That meant waiting over three hours.

Alora was nervous. The panel was led by the famous director Charles Quinn, a man known for his impossible standards and brutal critiques. The last person to leave the room in tears was a voice actor Alora actually respected. If someone that talented didn't make the cut, what chance did she have?

Even so, becoming an outstanding voice actor was her dream. She wasn't about to back down.

The moment she received the script for the Deep Sea Siren, she immersed herself in the character, shedding the last of her anxiety. She became the captive siren who refused to bow to fate—the one who challenged the heavens themselves.

“Unlike you, brother, I won't hide in the depths like a coward!”

By that morning, Charles had auditioned over forty voice actors—some of the most respected names in the industry, with impeccable voices and delivery. And yet, something was still missing.

After a morning of fruitless auditions, he was exhausted and numb. There was no point in dragging it out. It would only mean more disappointment and another wasted day.

Just as he was about to dismiss Alora without giving her a real shot, her voice cut through the fog in his head.

At first, he was slouched in his chair, eyes closed, totally checked out. But Alora's voice made him sit up. When he recognized her as Rafael's girlfriend, he was thrown.

The rumor mill had always painted Alora as Rafael's arm candy—pretty, sure, but no real talent. Who would've guessed she had skills like this?

Before he could recover from the shock, Alora's voice pulled him in again.

“What is destiny?” she challenged. “Is keeping my merfolk tribe imprisoned in the abyss destiny? If destiny is unjust, then I'll defy it. I'll overturn the heavens and rewrite the rules of this world!”

Alora had one of those faces—innocent and charming, like a flower blooming under moonlight. At past parties, Charles had only ever seen her sitting quietly beside Rafael, looking like a well-behaved girl. Or maybe just Rafael's shadow.

He never imagined that when she was absorbed in a voice role, she could unleash this kind of explosive power. Her voice captured all the arrogance and nobility of a mermaid princess, with a lively, feminine allure that was entirely her own.

Charles closed his eyes, entranced. It was as if the proud, coldly elegant Deep Sea Siren had appeared before him—tail swaying, head held high.

She was exactly the Deep Sea Siren he'd been searching for.

“Alora.” Charles's voice finally broke the silence.

Alora's palms were slick with nerves.

“You did an amazing job. Come back after two o’clock to sign the contract. I look forward to working with you,” Charles said.

Alora stared at him, stunned. Then, like dawn breaking across her face, her eyes lit up with brilliant light.

She pulled herself together fast. “Thank you, Mr. Quinn. I'll cherish this opportunity and give it everything I've got!”

“Good.”

Charles's assistant looked just as shocked, eyes wide. Charles was known for being brutally critical and almost never praised anyone. But Alora's talent? It deserved every word.

The studio was a long way from the luxury hotel where she was staying, so Alora decided not to go back. Instead, she planned to grab a bite at a nearby food court and come back early to sign the contract.

Her heart overflowed with joy and excitement at finally being acknowledged. She had no idea that Tessa Guzman was also dead set on snagging the role of the Deep Sea Siren.

Tessa had been a year ahead of Alora in college. Before going overseas, she'd already made a name for herself in voice acting. Confident in her skills—and as Rafael's cherished love—she thought competing with newcomers for a role was beneath her.

She and Charles had a mutual friend, so she knew his standards were impossibly high. She was sure none of the actors auditioning today would meet them.

She planned to call Charles once auditions ended and offer to step in. That way, she'd secure the role and make it look like she was doing Charles a favor.

Just as she was about to dial, a text came in from her friend: Alora had been chosen as the voice of the Deep Sea Siren.

The news sent a surge of rage through Tessa. She nearly shattered her phone in fury.

With the character's massive popularity, voicing the Deep Sea Siren promised acclaim and a whole new wave of fans. How dare that little upstart Alora think she was worthy of a role like that?

“Rafael...” Tessa murmured.

Tessa was in a hospital room with Rafael at her side. After finishing his call and returning to her, she wrapped her arms around his, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, her lips curved into a pout.

“I heard Charles is casting for the Deep Sea Siren. You know how much I love that character.”

“I really want to voice her,” Tessa pleaded softly. “I don't have much time left. I don't want to leave this world with regrets. Rafael, can I voice the Deep Sea Siren?”