She stood on the back of time

Ellie reached the water’s edge first.

The news about Diane had left her more frantic than Joshua. She was terrified of reliving the tragedy of her past life—terrified that because of Diane, she might lose ten more children and descend into a lifetime of madness and despair. So when she learned Diane had fallen into the sea, she plunged into the churning waves without a second thought.

She was done owing Diane anything.

Ellie swam hard toward her, but when Diane saw who was coming, she flailed wildly, pushing her away. Her eyes stayed fixed on Joshua, waiting anxiously in the boat.

Diane knew how to swim, of course. Today’s “accident” was deliberate.

She refused to believe Joshua could still coldly reject her—could still marry some backwater nobody—if she were in danger. She was so much better than Ellie. If not for that one moment of hesitation, letting Joshua rescue Ellie from the river all those years ago, *she* would be the one by his side.

Diane hated Ellie. Hated her for stealing Joshua. Wished she were dead.

So when Ellie reached her for the fourth time, trying to pull her to safety, Diane wrapped her arms tightly around her and dragged her down. Held her under.

Every time Ellie struggled toward the surface, Diane yanked her back, even forcing her head beneath the water.

Ellie wasn’t a strong swimmer. Under Diane’s relentless pull, she kept sinking.

“Joshua, help me! I’m scared!”

Joshua could wait no longer. He dove into the sea and swam furiously toward the two women. Pulling them apart, he immediately gathered the sobbing, trembling Diane into his arms.

He paid no mind to Ellie, exhausted from the rescue attempt.

As she sank, Ellie instinctively reached a hand toward him. “Joshua… save me…”

But before she could finish, he was already swimming away, frantic. Because his beloved Diane had scraped a finger, he’d lost all reason.

Watching the two figures recede into the distance, Ellie closed her eyes in defeat.

Maybe this was for the best. The life she owed Diane… she’d finally repaid it.

A crowd had gathered on the shore. Only after seeing Joshua carry Diane onto the boat did they start asking questions.

“Where’s Ellie?”

“Joshua, where’s Ellie? Why isn’t she back?”

It was then Joshua remembered. His face went pale. He turned to dive back in.

“Joshua…”

Diane stirred awake, her eyes red-rimmed. She clutched his hand, her voice fragile and trembling. “Don’t go. I’m scared.”

Afraid he’d rescue Ellie, she clung to him, burying her face in his chest. “I saw several people jump in after her just now. She’ll be fine, I’m sure.”

Joshua, who had always trusted Diane implicitly, only learned the truth when Ellie’s father, Carl, arrived with the police and took her away.

Ellie had nearly drowned. No one had gone back for her.

Diane gripped his hand desperately. “Joshua, it’s not like that! I can’t swim, I never meant to hurt her! I was just so scared, I held on. My vision was blurry—I didn’t see that no one went to save her!”

Joshua paused. This time, he didn’t defend her. He let them take her away.

In silence, he went to Ellie’s room. Taking a towel, he began gently wiping her feverish skin.

A fever racked Ellie’s body through the night. When she finally opened her eyes at dawn, Joshua was there—he’d watched over her until morning. His first words were, “Diane… your father got the law involved, and they came to take her away yesterday. Tell them you forgive her and to drop the charges. Then tell him your accident was your own fault, and had nothing to do with her.”